(Source: Leonardo.ai)
Hello Everyone,
I’m trying hard this summer to bring exciting new guest posts to you on a range of topics and industries related to developments in AI. If you enjoy them consider supporting the channel.
One of my favorite writers in the Education and AI space is of AI x Education.
Big Questions
Can AI uplift students, teacher and learning in general in the decade ahead?
Sometimes you have to ask them how things are going. Lily Lee is a 3rd-year student at Northwestern University, pursuing a B.S. in Manufacturing and Design Engineering with a minor in Data Science and a B.A. in Music. Their team at AI x is even launching a new webinar series that focuses on the latest experiments and results from educators integrating AI into education with a student-centered approach. Johnny is at Standford specializing in AI and robotics, now also channeling his focus towards applying AI in education and climate tech.
So why is this all important?
A new survey conducted May 7-15, 2024, showed that knowledge of and support for AI in education is growing among parents, students and teachers. More than 80% of each group says it has had a positive impact on education.
This gives a very bullish picture about AI’s future in education among not just students but teachers as well.
ChatGPT is Mainstream among Students
The percentage of K-12 students and teachers who say they are using AI and approve of it has risen sharply over the past year, according to a new poll conducted by Impact Research for the Walton Family Foundation.
Less than 20% of students say they never use generative AI.
Almost half of U.S. teachers and K-12 students say they are using ChatGPT weekly.
In a little over a year, the percentage of teachers who say they are familiar with ChatGPT rose from 55% to 79%, while among K-12 students, it rose from 37% to 75%, according to a new poll conducted in May by Impact Research for the Walton Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Learning Engineering Virtual Institute’s AI Lab.
When it comes to actual usage, a similar spike occurred, with 46% of teachers and 48% of students saying they use ChatGPT at least weekly, with student usage up 27 percentage points over last year. (source: CNBC)
Favorable Impressions for the Good of AI in Education
This means teachers and professors are using Generative AI nearly as much as the students are. This surprised me. If we are to believe the survey, Seventy percent of K-12 students had a favorable view of AI chatbots. Among undergraduates, that rises to 75%. And among parents, 68% held favorable views of AI chatbots.
Education gap for Teachers
Only 25% of teachers polled said they have received any training on AI chatbots, and roughly one-third (32%) say that lack of training and professional development are major reasons why they have not used AI.
How they use it?
Teachers said they have used AI to generate ideas for classes (37%); for lesson plans and preparation of teaching materials (32%); for student worksheets or examples (32%); and to create quizzes or tests (31%).
Generative ideas for classes
Lesson planning and prep
To create quizzes or tests
Student worksheets or examples
Black and Hispanic K-12 students and undergraduates were more likely to use AI for school. Among parents, 47% of those polled want AI chatbots to be used more in schools, compared to 36% who want it to be used less.
Will Frontier models find their way into the future of Education? It seems they already have.
Lily Lee’s Top Posts
If any of this matters to you, please check out the top insights of our guest contributor today.
📈 Efficiency vs Ethics of AI in Education
🖇️ The Increasing Role of AI in Academics
💻 The Critical Need for AI Literacy
🚀 AI-Powered Learning Revolution
⌨️ Prompt Engineering for Education
AI and Cheating
Education still however has a long ways to go to implement AI in the classroom in an ideal way.
Nearly 20% of teachers polled said ChatGPT had a negative impact, up from 7% last year.
K-12 students polled said they are most likely to have used AI chatbots to write essays and other assignments (56%), followed by studying for tests and quizzes (52%).
66% of teachers allow their students to use AI chatbots for schoolwork, but only 32% of teachers say their school has a policy outlining how AI chatbots can be used for schoolwork.
Only undergraduates (52%) are more likely than not to say their school has a policy outlining how AI chatbots can be used for schoolwork.
By , April, 2024.
How Students are Actually Using Generative AI as Early Adopters
Imagine if you could have the help of Einstein and the combined intelligence of the world’s brightest minds at your very fingertips. You can ask them any question, as lengthy or complicated as you’d like, and they’ll respond immediately. Stuck on a new concept? They can explain it to you in a million different ways until it finally clicks. With generative AI, students today have access to this powerful tool 24/7. It’s been less than 2 years since ChatGPT was released to the public, yet it has grown to become one of the most widely used applications globally. You can go to a college campus anywhere in America and chances are you will see students using ChatGPT to help them with assignments, research papers, and more. But how exactly are students using this technology?
In my newsletter, AI x Education, I have the opportunity to interview students around the world to gain insights into the creative ways they have adapted this new technology and are leveraging AI for their academic studies. Based on the interviews, I have been able to broadly categorize the role of AI into these three frameworks.
1. AI as a brainstorming tool
Students utilize generative AI tools to jumpstart their brainstorming process. Often the initial hurdle in creative thinking is generating those first few ideas. AI can bridge this gap, offering prompts and suggestions to propel us in the desired direction. Whether it’s coming up with a creative team name or a list of research questions and topics, generative AI tools can act as a springboard for those initial ideas. They allow us to explore avenues we may have never considered on our own, and enable us to generate hundreds of ideas in less than a minute, propelling the brainstorming process. From there, we would conduct our own outside research to validate and expand upon those initial ideas, but generative AI tools provide a helpful starting point. Here are some ways students have used AI as a brainstorming tool:
“I recently took a business class called IT for Network Organization where the teacher actually promoted the use of AI. We had to do a lot of writing for the class and got to use AI bots integrated with Discord called the Erin bot. For every module, you would have to write an essay for it and you could ask this bot all sorts of questions. It was catered to having a conversation steered towards a specific topic. For example, if the topic was on coming up with ideas for the use of generative AI, it would give you a couple of initial ideas and explain how impactful they are. You could use AI as a source to get some ideas to start with, but you still had to come up with your own answer or essay at the end. ” – Rohan G, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“[I] use ChatGPT and other AI tools to brainstorm research questions and identify research gaps. I was able to formulate hundreds of [questions and design] survey items that I wouldn’t be able to do given our limited human capabilities.” – Ami P, University of Toronto
“I’ve used ChatGPT to assist my writing, whenever I am stuck with a thesis, or I’m stuck trying to get that last bit of reasoning out of a piece of evidence.”- Parthiva V, Doughtery Valley High School
With the help of generative AI, students have the ability to explore more ideas in less time and jumpstart their creative process from a broader range of initial concepts. It can help students increase productivity and provide them more time to critically analyze, synthesize, and build upon these ideas rather than getting stuck at the initial stages.
2. AI as an advanced search engine
When using search engines like Google to find answers, users are quite limited by the constraints on the length and specificity of the questions they can ask. If your query is too specific, the search engine may struggle to provide a relevant or satisfactory answer. Even for simple questions, you often have to click through numerous links, engaging in a tedious hunt to find the information you seek. However, with generative AI tools like Perplexity.ai, students can pose highly specific questions and receive direct answers along with references to the sources the AI utilized to formulate its response. This approach saves students a considerable amount of time and allows them to obtain in-depth answers to their more complex inquiries.
To show this in action, I asked Google, “What are the specific criteria for determining the path of totality during a solar eclipse, and how do factors such as the Earth’s curvature and atmospheric refraction influence the shape and duration of the totality zone?” Despite the specificity of this question, most of the results referenced broad discussions of what a solar eclipse is without actually answering the question.
(Source: Google Search)
Next, I asked the same question on Perplexity.ai and here was its response:
(Source: Perplexity.ai)
Not only did the AI tool provide a direct answer to this question, but it also cited the sources used to generate the response. The answer was thorough, addressing all aspects of the question, while also enabling follow-up questions to clarify any areas of confusion.
For students who fear asking questions during class or find themselves receiving unhelpful responses from professors, having access to AI tools that can answer just about any question you ask in a personalized way is invaluable. Here is what students have to say:
“Usually when I use Google, I have to go through so many different sources to find the answer that I think is satisfactory, but with AI… you can tailor [the explanation to] the language that speaks to you the best. This has definitely helped me a lot in terms of learning new concepts” – Angela G, Northwestern University
“In terms of research gathering, I’ve used it quite a bit to gather initial research sources, particularly with Bing and Claude. For instance, say I’m researching a specific neurological disorder. I would prompt, ‘I’m looking for papers on this disorder between the years of 2018 to 2023 research papers. Please help me find research papers within these specific parameters.’” – Sophia T, Lake Forest College
Ever since the emergence of search engines, students have gained the ability to search for answers in seconds rather than spending hours flipping through pages in a library for a single piece of information. Now, with the advent of generative AI, students can receive more than a simple response but a personalized and thorough explanation to their questions. Rather than just retrieving fragmented information, generative AI can synthesize and articulate comprehensive answers, offering deeper insights for learning.
3. AI as a personalized tutor
Whether it’s 3AM before an upcoming final or 6PM finishing up a homework assignment, generative AI tools are available 24/7 to explain any concepts, proofread your writing, or assist with homework assignments. It’s like having access to a free, on-demand, personalized tutor at any hour. AI tools can tailor their explanations to each student’s level of understanding, learning style, and areas of confusion. This allows students to confidently explore concepts, clarify doubts, and deepen their knowledge without the fear of judgment or the frustration of unhelpful responses from a teacher. Here is an example of how students may utilize AI tools like ChatGPT to understand a new concept, such as the topic of mitosis in a biology class:
(Source: ChatGPT)
There are a plethora of prompts and methods students have found effective for utilizing AI tools as personalized tutors. Some of these experiences are highlighted below:
“I hate when mathematics textbooks are like, “Oh, this is easy,” and then they drop an equation that came out of nowhere and you’re like, “How did you get there? How is that easy?” If you don’t understand how they arrived there, you’re kind of stuck. You cannot continue going, which is daunting. So I really like using AI to interact with my mathematics textbooks. I usually paste in what I have to read into ChatGPT and ask questions about it. Usually, I try to ask how they got to the equation step-by-step. If I don’t understand a step, I can go even further and ask more.” – Mashiko L, Minerva University
“I extract the most benefit when I ask the AI questions about holes in my knowledge…The AI can read my thought process incredibly well, and I can ask it highly niche questions that my professors would likely struggle to offer a straightforward answer to.” – Jiwang L, Rice University
“I use ChatGPT 4.0 and initially give it all the resources that it needs like the syllabus, textbook, and course description. Then, I would treat each chat as an agent for each of my classes, and the agent acts as a professor for the class. Afterwards, I organize the whole class into three to four weeks of content in each priming session. Then it’s going to start teaching me those concepts. Initially, it will create a diagram for me and connect the concepts together. This way, not only does it allow me to understand certain concepts, but also how it connects to each other which is really important when you want to understand things at a deeper level. I can also ask the ChatGPT agent questions and it will go into detail. In addition to the diagrams, it can also generate images to help teach concepts.” – Sami M, Texas A&M University
While traditional classroom settings with a single teacher can struggle to offer individualized attention to each student, AI-powered tools have the potential to deliver highly personalized and interactive learning experiences tailored to every individual’s needs. With these technologies, students are able to receive instantaneous feedback, targeted support to grasp concepts more effectively, and the ability to learn at their own pace, addressing their unique strengths and areas for improvement.
Generative AI tools have revolutionized the educational landscape, offering students a wealth of possibilities as brainstorming tools, advanced search engines, and personalized tutors. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all students have embraced generative AI. Some have never tried it before due to a lack of understanding while others have been hesitant against using it, fearing that it could be considered cheating or unethical. There exists resistance, even among students, regarding the usage of AI in academic settings. Nevertheless, it seems that a significant proportion of students are in favor of incorporating generative AI into their studies.
In fact, according to a recent study published by ACT, a nonprofit organization that administers a widely used standardized test for college admissions in the United States, roughly half of the high school students who participated in their nationwide survey reported having used AI tools. Interestingly, those who had higher ACT Composite scores were linked to having had experience using AI tools.
At the collegiate level, we can assume an even greater proportion of students using AI tools. Many institutions are becoming more open to allowing students to use AI tools, and some professors are even encouraging their use. Although AI policies are still being developed and not all faculty have fully embraced this technology yet, there is a significant number of college students already utilizing AI tools around the world.
Top AI Tools among College Students
Among college students, some of the most popular AI tools being used today include the following:
ChatGPT – An advanced language model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating human-like text and providing intelligent responses across a wide range of topics
Perplexity – An AI-powered research assistant and conversational search engine that provides answers by synthesizing information from various web sources and includes references within its responses.
Otter.ai – A speech-to-text and meeting transcription service that utilizes AI to transcribe audio recordings and summarize Zoom meetings
Claude – An AI assistant powered by Anthropic’s language model capable of summarizing documents and information, as well as demonstrating exceptional writing skills
Dall-E – An image generation tool powered by AI, allowing users to create realistic and creative images from text descriptions
Some of these AI tools have paywalls, which raises concerns about educational equity. Paid AI tools may not be accessible to all students, creating a divide between those who can afford them and those who cannot. For instance, access to certain AI tools may give students an advantage when writing essays by providing AI-powered editing features. As more tools become monetized, this divide could widen. The issue of equity in accessing AI-powered educational technology will need to be thoughtfully considered as we increasingly integrate these technologies into the educational system.
Another key issue is the topic of AI Literacy. Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed a rapid proliferation of generative AI tools. As digital natives, many students have been quick adopters of this technology, often outpacing their teachers in embracing it. These tools offer immense power to generate things beyond our imagination, but as the popular saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility”. Frankly, many students have already begun using these technologies without guidance on how to wield this power effectively and ethically. As a result, we have unfortunately already been seeing a misuse of this technology among students. A recent case at Westfield High School in New Jersey serves as a cautionary example, where male students used AI to create and disseminate inappropriate images of their female classmates. These situations underscore the urgent need for comprehensive education on the responsible and ethical use of generative AI tools.
Developing AI literacy – an understanding of how these tools work, their potential impacts, and ethical considerations – will be crucial moving forward. Without proper guidance, the ease of generating content through AI could promote plagiarism, misinformation, or other unintended consequences. Educators and students alike must prioritize developing AI literacy alongside the adoption of these powerful technologies. The AI literacy framework developed by Dr. Kara Kennedy offers a helpful guide on how we can approach AI literacy across various contexts such as communication, collaboration, content creation, and more.
(Source: Dr. Kara Kennedy)
It’s understandable for teachers to shy away from the topic of AI, as many may not feel well-versed in it themselves. However, completely banning AI tools in the classroom may not be the best approach, as AI is likely to become ubiquitous in the future. Recent studies have shown that implementing AI plagiarism detection tools can be problematic, often producing false positives and unfairly punishing students. Rather than attempting to prohibit students from utilizing AI altogether, we could view this as an opportunity to rethink how course materials and assessments can be redesigned to better align with the AI landscape. Initiatives like the AI Pedagogy Project and MIT’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) Lab offer valuable resources and frameworks for educators to reimagine pedagogical approaches that integrate AI into the curriculum.
Student Use Cases of Generative AI
Students who are currently using AI tools have experimented with innovative prompts and figured out ways that work best for them, and fostering dialogue in the classroom to discuss and share how students have been utilizing AI so far could be highly beneficial. This open exchange of ideas and experiences would not only promote AI Literacy but also allow students to learn from one another’s successes and challenges.
In fact, hackathons have provided a unique platform for students to showcase creative applications of AI for learning and share innovative use cases with their peers. The AI Classroom Challenge by AI Consensus was a recent hackathon led by college students and designed for college students to showcase how they have been utilizing AI. One of the winners, Shivam Rawat, demonstrated how students can use image generation tools like DALL-E 3 to create dual-coded flashcards with both words and images to study more effectively. In the AI Classroom Hackathon sponsored by Microsoft, thousands of students shared creative ways to incorporate AI in education. One of the ideas, proposed by Krystof Olik and Bennett Poh from Germany, was to create an “innovative educational game that combines immersive storytelling, interactive AI-driven dialogues, and stunning visuals” for learners to engage on a journey through history. These examples highlight just a few of the myriad creative ways students have been leveraging AI to enhance their learning experience, underscoring the vast potential and virtually endless possibilities that AI holds for transforming the future of learning.
AI has made a profound impact on the world, and its influence on the educational landscape has reshaped the future of learning. Today’s students are at the forefront of this transformation, experimenting with creative applications of AI to enhance their learning experiences. AI has become deeply intertwined with our daily lives, empowering us to access a wealth of knowledge without financial barriers, receive personalized tutoring on-demand, and learn in new modalities tailored to each individual. The possibilities unlocked by AI technology seem endless, and its capabilities are advancing at an unprecedented rate. However, as we enter into this AI-driven future of education, it is critical that we approach it with a mindset of responsible innovation. We must prioritize AI literacy and ethics, ensuring that both students and educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of these technologies while navigating their complexities and potential pitfalls. Although we are only at the beginning of this AI-driven era, the possibilities are boundless with students as early adopters of this technology, experimenting with what the future holds and redefining the nature of education for what lies ahead.
Lily Lee Bio:
Lily Lee is a 3rd-year student at Northwestern University, pursuing a B.S. in Manufacturing and Design Engineering with a minor in Data Science and a B.A. in Music. Inspired by her passion for design, technology, and education, she spearheaded the newsletter initiative for AI x Education, which offers valuable insights into the latest AI advancements in education from various student perspectives. Lily has presented her expertise at numerous global conferences, including the Belgian Education Council International Conference and Sequoia Con. Her diverse background and leadership in innovation and advocacy have propelled her to the forefront of exploring the intersection of AI and education.
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