With the surge in technology, students have found innovative ways to leverage AI applications in their academic pursuits. While some uses are educational, others might be seen as exploiting these tools. Let’s delve into the top six AI applications that students are already misusing.
Artificial Intelligence Note-Taking Apps: The New Way to Skip Lectures
AI-powered note-taking apps such as Otter.ai and Notion have taken center-stage in the world of academia. These apps record and transcribe lectures, providing students with comprehensive notes without them needing to attend classes. Although these apps can be a lifesaver for students who are genuinely unable to attend lectures, there’s a rising trend of students skipping classes, relying solely on these tools. This misuse of AI in education is potentially detrimental to the holistic learning experience.
AI Essay Writing Tools: Plagiarism-Free, but is it Ethical?
AI essay writing tools like EssayBot and GPT-3 can generate essays within minutes. While these tools produce plagiarism-free content, the ethics behind using them are questionable. Are students really learning and developing their writing skills, or are they just outsourcing their work to machines? A study shows that the overuse of these tools might hinder the development of critical thinking and writing skills in students.
Language Learning AI Apps: A Shortcut to Fluency or Just Cramming?
AI apps like Duolingo and Babbel promise to make language learning a breeze. However, the misuse of these apps can lead to a superficial understanding of the language. While these apps can provide a great introduction to a new language, they can’t replace the depth and nuance of traditional language learning methods.
Math Solving AI Apps: Are Students Really Learning?
AI-powered math solving apps such as Photomath and Mathway can solve complex equations with just a snapshot. However, the ease of solving problems with these apps might discourage students from understanding the underlying concepts and methods. This negative effect of AI in education can lead to a shallow understanding of subjects and poor problem-solving skills.
AI-based Homework Assistance Apps: Outsourcing the Learning Process
Apps like Brainly and Socratic by Google use AI to provide instant homework assistance. While these apps can be helpful in understanding difficult topics, some students misuse them to get their homework done without making any effort to understand the concepts. This can result in a lack of depth in their subject knowledge.
AI Exam Preparation Tools: Smart Studying or Just Gaming the System?
AI-powered exam preparation tools like Quizlet and Brainscape use machine learning algorithms to focus on a student’s weak areas. While these tools can be effective when used properly, some students exploit them to game the system, focusing on memorizing the likely questions rather than understanding the subject matter. This misuse can lead to a lack of comprehensive understanding, as shown in a report.
