Students’ Views on AI Shape Future of Learning Environments

A significant shift in education is underway as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into learning environments. As noted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, AI is being heralded as a transformative force in education. Prominent AI companies have launched various educational tools, including ChatGPT Education, Claude for Education, and Gemini in Google for Education. These tools aim to enhance how students engage with knowledge, yet concerns regarding data privacy, transparency, and accuracy remain prevalent.

The debate surrounding AI’s potential to revolutionize education often emphasizes its impact on teaching methods, lesson planning, and individualized learning. Yet, the extent to which AI will genuinely transform educational experiences remains uncertain. It is crucial to explore how students interact with chatbots and what this means for fundamental assumptions about learning processes.

Understanding the Social Nature of Learning

Learning is intrinsically social, influenced by students’ perceptions of their teachers and their own metacognitive abilities. This is evident in the popularity of platforms like Rate My Professors in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which highlight the importance of student opinions about educators. As AI tools become part of the educational landscape, students’ views on their AI tutors will significantly affect their learning experiences.

With over 300 million monthly users engaging with chatbots, interactions with AI now represent a new form of social engagement. This evolution introduces a “para-social interaction” space where students must navigate their perceptions of these digital entities.

Influencing Factors in Student Engagement with AI

The concept of theory of mind suggests that individuals’ perceptions of others shape their interactions. This idea extends to how students perceive AI as learning tools. The properties of these tools, known as “affordances,” determine how effectively they can be utilized. For instance, if a student views a chatbot as proficient in idea generation, they may use it more for brainstorming than for editing tasks.

As AI systems enter educational settings, they create a new category of social entities. How students interpret the capabilities and intentions of AI can influence their learning outcomes. Factors such as trust, personalized learning, and social relationships are crucial to consider.

1. **Trust**: Judgments about knowledge play a vital role in learning acceptance. Research indicates that children’s trust in AI-generated information can vary based on their age and the type of content being provided. A student’s understanding of AI’s capabilities will likely influence their willingness to accept information from these systems.

2. **Personalized Learning**: Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing learning without chatbot engagement. Newer chatbot-based ITS, such as KhanMigo from Khan Academy, are marketed as providing personalized guidance. A student’s perception of AI will affect their interactions with these systems and their readiness to accept support.

3. **Social Relationships**: Literature, such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, illustrates how artificial entities can impact a child’s sense of self and their relationships. Concerns have arisen regarding the emotional effects of AI interactions, particularly following tragic incidents involving children and AI chatbots.

The introduction of AI in social contexts necessitates a careful reevaluation of our expectations regarding human-AI relationships, especially concerning children.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Education

Discussions about AI literacy are gaining momentum, focusing on understanding the functionality, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI. Educators must recognize that students possess an innate understanding of AI, which shapes their perceptions of its educational value. Instruction should be tailored to align with students’ cognitive development, prior experiences, and evolving social environments.

The future of education may indeed involve a form of “Rate My AI Teacher,” where students’ perceptions of AI become central to the successful integration of these technologies. It is essential to ensure that AI is utilized effectively, ethically, and meaningfully within educational contexts, promoting a positive learning experience that takes into account the nuanced relationship students have with AI.

Nandini Asavari Bharadwaj and Adam Kenneth Dubé, researchers engaged in this field, highlight the importance of understanding these dynamics to foster effective AI integration in education.