Canadian post-secondary students are increasingly turning to AI tools for academic support, with a recent survey indicating a rise in usage from 59% to 74% within a year. While many students find AI beneficial for enhancing their study and work efficiency, concerns about cheating and its impact on critical thinking persist.
Elaine Xiao, a first-year student at Duke University, values AI as a tool to overcome study barriers. She describes using AI to generate ideas for classroom activities, emphasizing that it aids in the learning process rather than doing the work for her. Despite the reported benefits of AI tools leading to improved grades, a significant portion of students remain apprehensive about potential cheating and reduced learning outcomes.
Experts stress the importance of institutions providing clear guidelines on ethical AI use to address student concerns. Rob Clayton, KPMG’s national education lead in Canada, advocates for integrating AI practices into daily academic activities to accommodate the growing reliance on such technology among students.
Jazmine Kennedy, a fourth-year English major at Simon Fraser University, shares reservations about AI due to strict professor policies. She highlights instances where students use AI to assist in assignments, raising questions about the need for educators to reconsider assessment methods and shift towards more analytical learning approaches that promote critical thinking skills over memorization.
Professor Sarah Elaine Eaton from the University of Calgary underscores the need for educators to adapt teaching strategies to engage students who are accustomed to AI tools. Emphasizing the importance of understanding and guiding students in using AI responsibly, Eaton suggests personalized assessments and regular student interactions to monitor learning progress effectively.
While some students like Katie Yu from the University of Waterloo appreciate AI for certain tasks, they emphasize the importance of developing problem-solving skills independently. Yu’s cautionary tale of an AI chatbot providing incorrect information highlights the necessity of balancing AI assistance with cultivating self-reliance in learning and problem-solving abilities.
As students continue to navigate the benefits and challenges of AI in education, educators are urged to provide comprehensive support and guidance to ensure responsible and effective AI integration in academic settings.