How is AI Affecting Education?
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Savannah Thompson.
What was once hailed as a technological breakthrough with the potential to transform how people work has quickly become a concern in most college classrooms. As students turn to AI tools to help complete their work, professors are grappling with how to use the technology as a learning tool without allowing it to replace learning itself.
With multiple breakthroughs in AI in recent years, many students are relying on AI to complete their schoolwork and other daily tasks. In fact, a recent survey conducted by ed-tech provider Instructure found that 90 percent of college students use some sort of artificial intelligence to complete their assignments.
“The thing with AI and students, I believe, is it is affecting the student’s ability to think critically, causing them to not have their own opinions about certain topics,” said Caleb Casey, a BU student. “Most times now, instead of a student trying to learn and understand a certain topic, AI just does it for them.”
College professors have differing opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of AI and its overall uses.
“From my perspective, AI is a tool that’s greatly being misused,” said Emily Barker, an academic advisor at BU. “It is something that can enhance creativity – helping come up with research topics – and help with grammar – Grammarly services – but it’s quickly turning into something many students use to simply do their work for them.”
Barker said it’s discouraging to see students rely too much on AI-generated work because it defeats the purpose of being in college and having professors teach them.
“They are here to learn, expand their knowledge and minds, and I am here to help them in that growth,” Barker said. “If I wanted to hear from a computer, I’d ask a computer.”
Three of five Bluefield students interviewed said they use AI to study and complete assignments. Two students said they do not use any sort of AI while completing assignments.
“I personally don’t use AI, but I know people who use AI in their schoolwork to cheat on assignments, instead of putting forth the effort,” said Madeline Stewart, another BU student.
Chris Shoemaker, assistant professor of communication, spoke about the pros and cons of AI.
“There are lots of ways students can use it appropriately, but there are lots of ways they can use it unethically,” Shoemaker said. “It becomes a problem when students are using it to substitute their own thinking instead of simply enhancing their learning.”
Dr. Tracey Stout, associate professor of Christian studies and dean of the college of arts and letters, agreed.
“It is a powerful tool that can help students study and do research,” Dr. Stout said. “If we use it creatively and critically, it will be helpful. The long-term problem will be if students use the tools to replace their own critical thinking.”
Many companies today – such as McKinsey & Company and Stanford HAI, who research and apply artificial intelligence for corporate and societal use – report that the power and knowledge of AI are becoming more advanced with each passing day. As its capabilities continue to improve, students and professors will be left to determine how far the technology should reach into the learning process and where the line should be drawn.