Key points:
Resistance is Futile: Embracing AI in Education
AI as a 24/7 Personalized Tutor and Mentor
My first-year college students have a narrow perspective of AI. They view it as a tool for cheating rather than for supporting their learning. As a professor, I believe AI can be a powerful tool for students to use daily, providing 24/7 support for their academic success.
A Typology for Using AI
There is a spectrum of possibilities for using AI, ranging from complete rejection to complete acceptance. I propose a typology for understanding the different levels of AI use, from cognitive autonomy to cognitive outsourcing. The middle ground, I argue, is where the most important aspects of AI use lie.
Levels of AI Use
- Cognitive Autonomy: No AI use
- Cognitive Offloading through Scaffolding: AI-assisted support for key writing processes
- Cognitive Offloading through a Cognitive Apprenticeship: AI-assisted support for demonstrating key writing processes
- Cognitive Outsourcing: Full AI writing
AI-Assisted Support as Scaffolding
Students need guidance, and AI can provide that support. By using AI, students can brainstorm, focus, and develop their ideas more effectively. "I didn’t really know where to start," wrote one student, "and ChatGPT helped me think about questions, and I was able to start planning what I wanted to do based on the different options."
AI-Assisted Support as a Cognitive Apprenticeship
As students delve deeper into complex topics, they need to learn how to think critically and contextually. AI can assist by providing step-by-step guidance, helping students see what good thinking looks like. "The outlines helped me from getting too stuck on small details and reminded me to think about the big picture," said one student.
Key Prompts for AI-Assisted Support
- Brainstorming: "What do I want to write about?"
- Keyword Generation: "What are the key ideas?"
- Feedback: "Am I making the right argument?"
- Thesis Generation: "What’s my key argument?"
- Outlining: "How do I organize my thoughts?"
Looking Ahead
While the future of AI in education is uncertain, one thing is clear: we must learn to embrace AI as a tool for supporting student learning. "I didn’t realize that ChatGPT is actually there for me to use as a teaching assistant," said one student. "I feel confident that the work I complete with ChatGPT will not get me into trouble, because I know how to use it as an assistant rather than a replacement."
FAQs
Q: Is AI a tool for cheating?
A: No, AI is a tool for supporting student learning, not cheating.
Q: How do you use AI in your teaching?
A: I use AI to provide scaffolding and cognitive apprenticeship for my students.
Q: Is AI suitable for all students?
A: Yes, AI can be used by all students, regardless of their skill level or subject area.
Q: Can AI replace human teachers?
A: No, AI is meant to augment human teaching, not replace it.
