Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has been around for a lot longer than we’ve thought. Some form of AI has been around since 1950 to 1956. It has been used in old computers, video games, libraries and important document entries.But in the last few years the acceleration of AI has grown into a bigger issue in education and society. Increased access to technology has led students in classrooms to have access to Artificial Intelligence. This has put it to use and to work for in classroom activities and assignments. This raised the very controversial topic today on whether or not AI is beneficial or harmful in a classroom environment for growing minds of students of the new age. This has led educators and students in particular to compare the pros and cons of AI. Some people are saying that AI helps some students and may use it to decipher a statement or a piece of work that isn’t understandable. This can support them as they learn. There are those who say that some students may just use AI to do all the work for them which damages their creativity and their academic ability to be able to do scholarly work on their own. Let’s consider all this. We want YOU to decide what you think about AI so we will be talking about the Pros and Cons of AI, offering the personal thoughts of TCA students, teachers, and even getting thoughts of this topic from Artificial Intelligence itself.
The Benefits of AI
Let’s list the factors of AI that are beneficial to education in a classroom today. Artificial intelligence can be very beneficial to students because it lets students learn at their own pace as artificial intelligence may let a variety of students learn a different set of things no matter the student. Traditionally a teacher might teach a group of students using a single text or material for all learners. This doesn’t bring individualization in teaching for students. Here is where Artificial Intelligence fills this role personalizing Artificial Intelligence. An article by Cis Spain shows us this by explaining to us that, “AI allows adapting study materials to the level of each student. This means that each individual can learn at their own pace, strengthening their weaknesses and advancing in areas where they show greater ability.” This is extremely beneficial for kids, especially those that are behind on work or have an educational disadvantage compared to other kids.
The Negatives of AI
Though Artificial Intelligence has proven to be very useful and beneficial for the academic and educational growth of students, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its flaws. AI has the potential to allow students to be able to cheat . Let us explain how Artificial Intelligence also has its flaws and negative factors in contrast to its positive factors. The most apparent and big issue with artificial intelligence in school, as I’m sure you and your peers and teachers talk about, is students not being able to grow academically, disabling their thinking skills and abilities, getting rid of the climb for students’ brains to grow. An article by Mobile Guardian explains how this process works and how it stunts the academic development of a student. The article says “For instance, Photomath allows users to take a picture of a Maths problem, and it will provide a step-by-step solution. While this can be helpful for checking answers or understanding difficult concepts, it can also hinder the learning process by preventing students from developing problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities.” Artificial Intelligence is able to do all the work so simply and without a step by step or a clear step by step which hinders the learning process for children overall. This of course negatively affects the long term education of students. This is why so many teachers are against artificial intelligence in their classrooms as their students do not grow from it and don’t learn properly.
How this impacts us locally here at TCA
You might think, “oh none of these apply to me” or “Artificial Intelligence isn’t a problem.” Here are quotes from your teachers, peers, and from artificial intelligence itself on their outlook of AI in education, in our community.
Here are quotes from students and friends taking classes
Do you use AI for school? Why or why not?
“I use it for certain occasions like math but i try and stay away from it as much as I can” -Renny Urena
Do you think School is easier or harder with AI?
“Yes ai is easier with ai since it helps us with stuff that will benefit is more” -Aneury Francisco
How often do you think your peers are using AI as well?
“Yes I think my friends use ai since they don’t ask for help and they feel like it helps them better” -Valerie Jimenez
Quotes from TCA’s Lovable teachers.
What do you think about AI, is AI beneficial or damaging toward young students?
“It’s mostly damaging if used in the wrong way, so basically if kids use AI to cut corners, and not take the time to actually write and learn the process of writing.”-Mr.Averill
If you could do something to AI as a whole, what would you do with it?
“Figure out some way where it can be safer for humans to use and they don’t get to addicted”-Mr.Merced
With all of this information we’ve learned that artificial intelligence is an enduring issue here at TCA. The future of AI in our school appears to be very mixed. We see some students like it but know if using it too much would be too bad we see some teachers would maybe like AI if it had more boundaries and limitations and think it could be safer. But all in all the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence will remain to be very mixed and controversial, as it’s even mixed here at our school. Now it’s up to you, what do you think about Artificial Intelligence in your school environment?
Bonus quotes from Artificial Intelligence
Do you think AI is beneficial or damaging to students in school
“AI can adapt to a student’s pace and learning style, offering customized lessons, feedback, and resources”
And if so, how many percent of students use AI to cheat
“which provides plagiarism detection services, found that about 40% of high school and college students admitted to using AI tools like ChatGPT”
What changes has AI brought once introduced into the school Community?
“Platforms like Khan Academy, DreamBox, and Smart Sparrow use AI to adjust content, quizzes, and instructional strategies based on student performance”
