By Judy Carbajal
The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as shown by ChatGPTβs impressive capabilities, has clearly reshaped the educational environment. This transformative technology has had a particular impact on individuals like me, a first-generation student navigating an academic system with limited resources.Β
Statistically, the integration of AI in education has resulted in a significant increase in student performance and engagement. According to an article from the Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, schools that have implemented AI-driven tools, such as intelligent tutoring systems like ChatGPT, have reported an average 15% increase in overall academic achievement. This data demonstrates the practical advantages of using AI to bridge educational gaps and help students overcome academic challenges.Β
For me, the addition of AI has given me a huge amount of power to take charge of my education. I polled 30 first-generation students at Loyola University and found that an amazing 80% of them said that AI-powered tools have helped them do well in school. These feelings are very similar to mine and my friendsβ, because we have found the instant help that AI gives us when weβre having trouble in school to be very helpful. A friend of mine got an internship with the help of ChatGPT, which is a profound example. They were able to confidently get through a difficult process by getting help with application procedures and finding internships that fit their interests and major. These kinds of stories are not unique; they show how AI technologies like ChatGPT can help students deal with uncertainty. As someone who is majoring in nursing, ChatGPT has been very helpful to me, especially when it comes to finding different ways to study that work better for me. This help was especially beneficial during my freshman year, when I didnβt know many ways to study besides flashcards because I was the first person in my family to go to college. These examples show how important ChatGPT and other AI technologies are for giving students the tools they need to do well in difficult school subjects.Β
However, critical statistical considerations emerge regarding studentsβ potential dependence on artificial intelligence. In the survey I conducted, 65% of the students admitted to overusing AI tools, resulting in a decrease in critical thinking skills. This statistical insight raises concerns about the unintended consequences of AI integration in education, emphasizing the importance of promoting a balanced approach to ensuring that students develop critical cognitive skills alongside technological assistance. Personally, I agree with this point of view because relying too much on AI can make people less able to think for themselves. Because AI-generated answers are so easy to find, students may not do as much deep critical analysis, which could hurt their ability to think creatively and independently. This reliance on ready-made responses could make opinions more similar and limit different points of view that are necessary for society to move forward. In addition, the loss of personal opinions could make it harder for new ideas to come up, especially among younger people. Finding the right balance between using AI to help with learning and encouraging students to think for themselves is very important for protecting creativity, encouraging innovation, and making positive changes in society, especially in the ever-changing world that Generation Z is creating.
In conclusion, while AI, as demonstrated by ChatGPT, has undeniably transformed the educational landscape, statistics highlight both its positive impact on academic performance and the risks associated with overreliance. Striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and encouraging independent thought is critical to maximizing the positive outcomes of this technological evolution in education.Β
References
GarcΓa-MartΓnez, I., FernΓ‘ndez-Batanero, J. M., FernΓ‘ndez-Cerero, J., and LeΓ³n, S. P. (2023). βAnalysing the impact of artificial intelligence and computational sciences on student performance: systematic review and meta-analysis.β Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 12(1), 171-197. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2023.1.1240