Students at Trinity Catholic High School debate AI’s role in education
Woodford: The rise of artificial intelligence is shaking things up in schools. At Trinity Catholic High School, students are split on whether AI is a helpful study buddy or just a way to cut corners.
Tools like ChatGPT are super popular among students these days. A recent survey showed that the number of teens using AI jumped from 37.1% to 77.1% in just a year in the UK.
Many kids are curious about AI, using it for fun or to spark new ideas. In fact, over half of them say it helps them brainstorm and learn better.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Xavier Collins, a Year 10 student, pointed out some real concerns. He said, “It really does depend on how you use it. A lot of people are just letting AI do their homework, and then they bomb the tests that count.”
He gets that AI can help with understanding, but he warns against relying on it too much. If students lean on AI too heavily, they might miss out on important learning moments.
The Literacy Trust found that 20.9% of students often copy answers from AI without checking them. That’s a bit worrying, right?
On the flip side, some students see AI as a lifesaver for tackling tough subjects. Almost half of those surveyed said they add their own ideas to what AI suggests, showing that it can actually enhance learning when used smartly.
This whole debate about AI is part of a bigger conversation about how education is changing. Sure, AI can boost creativity and make tough topics easier, but it also brings its own set of challenges.
Schools might need to focus more on teaching critical thinking and responsible use of AI. The goal should be to make sure AI is a learning tool, not just a shortcut.
As AI continues to change the classroom, we’re left wondering: Is this tech revolution really helping students learn, or is it making them a bit too lazy?
