Although artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT could help students with concentration and planning difficulties, relying too much on them could hinder their cognitive growth, according to research.
The use of the artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom has been a matter of debate, and educators are still trying to define its role and develop effective methods to monitor its use.
However, in certain cases, AI could be especially beneficial for students who struggle with executive functions, such as concentration and the attentionwhich could help overcome performance gaps among students, according to a new research.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the Lund University in Sweden analyzed how adolescent students perceive the usefulness of Generative AI in the classroom.
“We have discovered that students with the most difficulties in executive functioning find generative AI tools especially useful for him school workespecially to complete tasks,” Johan Klarin, lead author of the study, school psychologist and research assistant at Lund University, explains to ‘Euronews Next’.
“This highlights the potential of these tools as supportive aids for students who have difficulty with crucial cognitive processes for academic success.
The researchers identified a link between preference and inclination of students for the use of AI and its tendency to experience higher levels of certain difficultiesincluding problems with planning, emotional regulation, and task completion.
The results were published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence’. The research was based on two studies. The first involved 385 students aged 12 to 16 from four primary schools in southern Sweden. The second focused on 359 slightly older students between the ages of 15 and 19 who were enrolled in the same high school.
The studies revealed that, although the 14,8% of younger students used generative AI as part of their education, more than half (52,6%) of older adolescents used it.
Among AI chatbots, ChatGPT was, by far, the most used tool: 70% of the youngest students and 88.9% of the oldest students used it.
Support students without hindering their growth
According to the study, the students facing challenges in their schoolworksuch as difficulties with planning, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, they found AI tools especially useful to complete the tasks.
Klarin explains that since these students may have difficulty finishing their schoolwork, “a support tool “Guiding them through the last phases of their schoolwork can increase the likelihood of completing it on time.”
They also used AI as compensatory tool to break down complex tasks or overcome planning difficulties. However, the researchers cautioned that the constant use of AI tools for schoolwork raises the risk of overdependence of them.
Using AI to complete tasks could lead to a less development of critical cognitive skillsespecially during adolescencewhich is a key period for the development of executive functions.
As a result, the heavy reliance on AI during this time and turning to it as a quick fixInstead of learning to overcome difficulties, you could interfere with natural progression of these skills in young students, making it difficult for them to handle complex tasks later in life.
“If students rely on generative AI to replace, rather than augment, their existing skills, this could stunt growth or even lead to a decline in essential cognitive skills to successfully complete schoolwork,” Klarin said.
ADVERTISING“This change may have long term implications“as executive function skills are crucial not only for academic success, but also for broader life outcomes,” he added.
The establishment of clear standards, a priority for safe and effective use in the school environment
However, as AI continues its rapid advancement and becomes increasingly deeply integrated into education, especially for young students, there is a need to ensure AI is useful without affecting your growth.
According to Klarin, educators must constantly moderate the use of generative AI and its purpose, focusing on using it as a complementary tool rather than as a replacement for students’ skills.
“Establish clear standards and guidelines for him safe and effective use of generative AI in schools should be a top priority“, said.
ADVERTISING“Educators and the research community must adopt a proactive approach to ensure that technological advances enhance the educational environment rather than hinder it.
