Around a decade ago, the image of a student life looked completely different to that of a current student. Kids in schools would sit down and be forced to stare a blank screen until a thought popped into their head. Brute forcing english essays and maths questions was considered the norm and whilst it was often a slow and frustrating process, it forced critical thinking and learning from mistakes. Up until recently, the school system had always been like this until slowly but surely, AI was integrated into the school system. This new technology was quickly viewed very fondly by students as it was an extreme time saver and took away the though required for a task. However the cost of this connivence was that student were no longer learning from their work.
With just a few prompts, students can generate essay ideas, solve equations, explain difficult concepts, or even produce an entire assignment within seconds. This means that students are now not challenged in their learning and when faced with bigger tasks where they are unable to seek help from ai like exams, the crumble under a lack of knowledge.
This doesn't mean AI is harmful by nature. In fact, when used correctly, it can be one of the most powerful learning tools ever created. AI can explain difficult topics in simpler terms, provide personalised feedback, and help students understand concepts they may have struggled with in class. The difference lies in whether AI is being used as a teacher or as a replacement for learning altogether.
Ideally, due to the inescapable nature of modern technology and hence AI, students should learn to harness it to benefit their understanding. In more quantitative subjects like mathematics, using it to explain an answer to a question or a certain topic can deepen understanding and confidence on the topic.
Conclusively AI is reshaping education, but students must remember that true learning comes from thinking, questioning, and making mistakes. Used wisely, AI can deepen learning rather than replace it.
