Students Using Generative AI Pros and cons of

Generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) is rapidly transforming how we work, learn and live. According to Common Sense Media, “Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates original content—like writing stories, generating artwork or composing music—based on the data it’s learned from.” Popular models include ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Snapchat’s My AI, Midjourney and DALL-E.

When used in classroom settings, gen AI can boost student learning, enhance creativity, improve efficiency and foster critical thinking. Despite these benefits, educators (and parents) are grappling with how this technology impacts learning quality, spreads misinformation, facilitates cheating and threatens student safety.

“We understand that AI is already a part of our everyday lives,” says Kevin Pressley, EdTech & Innovative Learning Coordinator at The Classical Academies in north San Diego County. “So, students need our help learning how to use AI safely, responsibly and effectively.”

How is gen AI being used in schools?

“It is important to note that only a fraction of teachers are using AI with students,” says Jen Roberts, a local high school English teacher with 25+ years of experience. “Many teachers are using it in ways that help them plan and prepare materials, but actual student facing use of AI tools is still developing.”

According to Erika Wanczuk, a local high school English teacher and early adopter of AI tools in education, teachers are leveraging AI for student engagement, project-based learning, and to enhance the writing process and finished products. “For example, I can set up a custom chatbot in MagicSchool during Writer’s Workshop,” says Wanczuk. “While I am helping a student, the other students can get immediate feedback on their writing or receive critical thinking questions by interacting with the chatbot. It reinforces the idea that writing is a process.”

The Pros

Students benefit when teachers use gen AI to improve efficiency, avoid burnout and create immersive, personalized learning experiences. Students are increasingly turning to gen AI to brainstorm new ideas, create outlines for papers, proofread writing, perform online research, translate languages, solve challenging math problems and get help with homework. Many students enjoy using AI tools to augment projects and enhance presentations.

Gen AI provides broader access to personalized tutoring. For example, Khan Academy offers free, AI-based tutoring tools in math, science and humanities. AI-driven apps like Duolingo can supplement classroom language instruction, while writing tools like Grammarly help students improve grammar, punctuation, spelling and structure.

Students can also develop critical thinking skills, such as learning how to improve their gen AI input and factcheck results.

When gen AI is used for genuine understanding, it can be a powerful learning tool. When used as a short-cut, student learning is likely to be impacted.

The Cons

Now that students can quickly plug in prompts to write a paper, do math homework, or create presentations, many educators (and parents) are concerned about learning quality. Will students achieve a solid understanding of—or even remember—their lessons?

A recent study by MIT Media Lab found that university students using ChatGPT to write essays demonstrated less brain activity (involving creativity and working memory) than those using only brain power or Google search. Some participants felt zero ownership towards their final product, the vast majority were unable to quote from anything they’d just written, and many of the resulting essays were very similar.

Children can be exposed to inappropriate content or share personal information during chatbot interactions. Publicly available models, including ChatGPT, don’t offer parental controls and should not be used by children under 13. Older children are prompted to obtain parental approval before establishing an account.

AI-based classroom tools like MagicSchool, Brisk and School AI offer safeguards. Teachers can view student interactions, inappropriate words are flagged for review and students are reminded to be thoughtful before sharing personal information.

“As with any technology, parents should take time to review gen AI programs for age restrictions, data privacy and potential for inappropriate or harmful content,” cautions Pressley.

Students need to understand that gen AI makes mistakes (“hallucinations”), despite presenting everything as factually accurate.

“We find it useful to describe generative AI as a ‘thought partner’ or ‘teacher’s assistant,’ rather than an ‘answer machine,’” says Pressley. “All AI-generated content should be reviewed by a human, and there are several ways to do that.” Here is what Pressley suggests:

• Assume the AI tool is imperfect. Read what was generated carefully and skeptically.

• Cross-check facts with sources that are known to be reliable (academic or government websites and scholarly articles).

• Prompt the AI tool to describe its sources and verify them independently.

• Double-check dates for accuracy, since the AI tool might not be using current data.

Should my child use AI for homework help?

Parents and students should clarify school expectations on responsible AI-use. “Responsible use is a term that will vary depending on the teacher and the school,” says Roberts. “Things that might be acceptable for one teacher, such as using AI to generate an outline, might be unacceptable in another classroom. It also depends on the learning objective. If students are supposed to learn how to write research questions, then using AI to generate research questions would not be responsible use.”

Roberts suggests asking, “Did using AI in this learning activity result in my student learning less, or not getting the practice needed with this skill?”

If AI use is taking the place of practice, skill development or student thinking, then it is not helping them learn. ~ Jen Roberts, local high school English teacher

“Beyond the policies, students need to understand the ethics, impact and consequences of misrepresenting work that is ‘not your own,’” says Pressley. “Teachers are learning the most reliable way to recognize AI-generated content is by knowing the student’s own writing voice and specific abilities.” Some teachers are redesigning assignments to focus more on the process of thinking and writing. When original student writing is desired, in-person handwritten work may be required.

Tips to Help Kids Navigate Gen

AI

• Familiarize yourself with gen AI by interacting with it.

• Talk to your kids about pros and cons.

• Review district, school and classroom policies on responsible use. Get clarification where needed.

• Limit unsupervised access to publicly available models.

• Monitor your child’s AI interactions.

• For more information, including a list of key AI terms, visit www.commonsensemedia.org/ articles/parents-ultimate-guide-togenerative-ai.

• Be sure to encourage interests outside of technology. “We need balance, and we don’t want students to lose their humanity,” says Wanczuk. v

This article was 100 percent human written by Lisa Pawlak.