SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK

While generative AI can be a useful tool for kids in the classroom, it can also quickly become a crutch in school if kids depend too much on it. Work with your kids and their teachers to come up with a plan to set appropriate boundaries on their use of AI in schools.

TODAY’S TOPIC

Should My Kids Be Using Generative AI in School?

Apps like ChatGPT allow kids to craft essays and answer homework questions with the click of a button, making it easier than ever to get good grades in school. But does this technology really help kids learn the material from their classes? Many would argue that ChatGPT is really just helping kids cheat on their assignments, but does that mean it should be banned from schools? School districts throughout the country are on the fence about ChatGPT–let’s try to understand why.

The biggest issue with ChatGPT in classrooms is the problem of academic honesty and plagiarism. If a student writes a specific enough prompt for ChatGPT, they can craft long and short responses to written questions that appear completely authentic. Teachers, who can assess student learning from written and oral responses, are typically pretty good at spotting the difference, but they can’t always tell if a student is using ChatGPT. Sometimes the information the app can generate is outright false, and if kids rely too much on it to complete their schoolwork, it may hurt their grade in the long run. What’s worse, when kids aren’t doing the work themselves, they are missing the opportunity to build soft skills that will help them succeed in life, like writing, research, and critical thinking. 

On the other hand, ChatGPT can be a very useful tool for students, without hindering their learning experience. Kids who are learning multiple languages, especially if they are learning English as a second language, can use ChatGPT’s translation features to help them access class materials. Students with disabilities and/or unique classroom needs can use it to help them manage large workloads. If a kid needs to do a research project, ChatGPT can help them brainstorm ideas, and it can function as a distilled encyclopedia of the Internet, allowing them to get a sense of what topics they might further explore on their own. When writing high school or college entrance essays, ChatGPT can help students make the most compelling case for their admission, just as many school counselors use it to help write a massive volume of recommendation letters each year. For this reason, and to promote AI literacy among students as the technology develops, New York City reversed its ban on ChatGPT in schools.

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When ChatGPT is used as a tool and not as a crutch, it can help kids access and achieve more in school. Furthermore, as AI becomes integrated in more and more applications that kids use, it is important that kids understand how it works and where it can be useful or harmful. It is important that kids learn to set strict boundaries with their use of ChatGPT, if they are allowed to use it in school, so that they don’t become overly dependent on it. Again, ChatGPT works with the information it has access to, so it won’t always produce the correct results: kids need to know when and how deeply to trust what ChatGPT produces. 

As the school year is about to start, here are some tips for making sure your child is using ChatGPT in ways that help them become well-rounded thinkers in a technologically advanced world:

• Take Some Time to Work on Your Child’s Homework with Them: We’re not saying you should give your child the answers to their homework assignments, but ask them about their schoolwork and observe how they respond to difficult problems. If they turn to ChatGPT, make sure that they are using it as a tool and not as a crutch. ChatGPT is great for coming up with ideas and finding fast information about topics they may need to research, but kids shouldn’t have ChatGPT do all the work for them. 

• Keep in Contact with Your Child’s Teachers: Since many kids have access to computers at school, including features like ChatGPT, their teachers are going to be the most knowledgeable about how your child is using this technology. Ask your child’s teachers about their policies on ChatGPT, and let them know what you think is best for your child regarding these tools. 

• Remind your Child that Schoolwork Is More Than Just Busywork: How children learn to solve problems or consider different sides of an issue is a vital part of their education in a democratic society. Schools develop their curricula to help kids practice these skills so they are better prepared to participate in society and to take care of themselves when they grow up. Even if ChatGPT can create the answer in a matter of seconds, the process of finding an answer and establishing their own opinion about an issue is valuable in practice. 

• If your Child Has Unique Needs in the Classroom, Work with Their Counselors and Teachers to Find the Best Ways to Employ AI Technology in Their Learning: As mentioned above, some of ChatGPT’s features can help students access content when they have unique learning needs. Whether this is due to learning English as a second language or a learning disability, ChatGPT can help your child keep up with class content. Work with your child’s teachers and counselors to set appropriate goals and boundaries for using this technology so that your child can make the most out of their learning experience.

▶ Slang Word of the Week: “Ate” v. – the word is used to praise someone when they have performed exceptionally well. It is often appended with the phrase “and left no crumbs,” to emphasize how well they have done.