All students across the globe want to reach academic success and apply their knowledge in their lives and jobs. After reading Yang Mien-chieh and Jonathan Chin’s article titled “2,527 students enroll in MOE’s AI programs,” which was published on the Taipei Times’ page 3 on Friday last week, and the research article Reimagining education: Bridging artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and critical pedagogy by researchers Funda Nayir, Tamer Sari and Aras Bozkurt, I have come to the conclusion that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is quite useful when it comes to helping students in their learning endeavors. Nevertheless, every tool that human beings have created comes with threats and opportunities.
The researchers said that generative AI raises worries that automation would result in job losses and difficulties such as incorrect judgements and prejudices. Nevertheless, generative AI might be a handy tool when it is used for educational purposes under the guidance of a teacher.
Teachers who are not yet familiar with generative AI tools can still show the basic steps to their students. As National Changhua Senior High School has opened a class teaching students how to use generative AI to conduct research and prepare for a debate, with an emphasis on developing the ability to critically assess information produced by algorithms, other teachers can follow suit and encourage their students to conduct research using AI. Using AI tools is not about students becoming lazy by giving them all the answers on a silver plate. On the contrary, it is about helping students finding new and original information.
The advantages of using generative AI are that students would find out that writing a research article is not as time consuming nor painstaking anymore, and that they can save time and do other important duties. That is to say, teachers need to show their students that generative AI tools can facilitate the research process and scaffold learning by doing more in-depth investigations to verify information and sources if needed.
According to educator Edgar Dale’s Cone of Experience, students need to have learning experiences that simulate “doing the real thing” and “are more effective than traditional methodologies.” Therefore, students who decide to enroll in a class need to show industriousness, which is a cornerstone of the Pyramid of Success. Industriousness consists of hard work and planning to reach a goal, both of which are needed for positive performance behavior. Intentness also consists of being determined and persistent. When students are using their “strengths,” they tend to become alive, and more communicative and excited about what they are doing.
When implemented properly, AI could serve as a beneficial assistive technology in education, allowing students to achieve their full potential or easing many educational processes.
David Blasco is a Ling Tung University assistant professor.
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