Artificial Intelligence in Education: How useful is new technology for students…

San Francisco/Munich (OTS)

The potential, but also the challenges, of education and educational policy, which has brought AI, especially its latest generative capabilities, to everyone’s lips, has been both welcomed and denigrated. ChatGPT will celebrate its first birthday in the coming weeks. After nearly a year of applied experience with generative AI, it has become possible to recognize the first patterns among users. In order to determine these, Quizlet conducted surveys conducted by the survey institute OnePoll in Germany and France and Censuswide in the UK, each with 1,000 students aged 16 and over. While some trends are in line with previous expectations for generative AI, some results are surprising. One interesting aspect of the survey concerns how and why students use generative AI. The debate about the possible ban of generative AI in educational institutions mostly revolves around the problem of texts written using AI. However, less than a third of French people (32%), Germans (34%) and only a quarter of British people (25%) use AI to generate texts. Much larger proportions of those surveyed use AI to support research activities (Germany 69%, France 55%, UK 56%) or to summarize information (Germany 62%, France 38%, UK 34%). However, a smaller proportion are already using generative AI such as ChatGPT as an interactive learning partner and personal tutor (DE 28%, FR 15%, UK 23%) – even though ChatGPT was not specifically designed for this purpose. There appears to be a growing demand for AI that plays this role as a core function, similar to Quizlet Q-Chat.

All countries have a group of students who are passionate about AI: just under half (45%) of Germans, a third of French people (34%) and more than three-quarters (76%) of Britons surveyed have experience with AI. Already use ChatGPT or similar AI systems, but among this group, just under a tenth of Germans (11%), French (8%) and Britons (9%) use ChatGPT and Co daily for educational purposes. So there is a group of heavy users. Apart from those who use AI every day, there are also some heavy users in Germany, for example: half (51%) of all those who have already used ChatGPT and Co. They continue to do this more than once a week. This creates a group that uses generative AI frequently, is a group that has pioneered in some way and has been able to gain added value from generative AI even before dedicated learning AI existed – and may no longer want to do without it.

When asked how they would classify their stance towards ChatGPT and similar AI technologies, this common thread continued – across countries. In France, for example, one’s attitude towards AI was most often rated as “cautious” (23%), while in Germany “optimistic” was the most appropriate term for 28% of those surveyed. But “neutral” came in third place for the Germans (17%) and the French (14%). Apart from the indifference of the neutral position, this represents extreme polarization with students approaching the whole matter with caution or optimism.

However, educational institutions are sending mixed signals: 31% of German students surveyed reported that their teachers or lecturers advise against using ChatGPT etc. for homework and the like, while 21% recommend it. Data from other countries paint a similarly confusing picture. Understandably, there is a great desire for clarity in guidance. Because only less than a quarter of German respondents (23%) had ChatGPT guidelines issued at their educational institution. However, two-thirds of Germans (66%) would continue to use ChatGPT and Co for educational purposes even if their educational institution banned generative AI. At first glance, this may seem stubborn, but according to survey data, the basic uses of generative AI, i.e. research or even information gathering, are not the reason for educational institutions to ban it. In the still ongoing debate about the use of generative AI in educational institutions, the biggest challenge is ensuring that the texts submitted are written by the students concerned and not by AI. However, as mentioned earlier, less than a third of Germans and French use AI to generate texts (34% of Germans, 32% of French), while among Britons it is only a quarter (25%).

A blanket ban on AI in education — whether generative AI or not — would deprive students of a valuable tool, although only one use case for generative AI is cause for concern in education. Although 22% of German respondents have a cautious attitude toward generative AI technologies, nearly half of the Germans surveyed (47%) reported saving time when learning, and another 57% reported an improvement in their learning experience . 62% believe that ChatGPT and Co. It can make the work of teachers and lecturers easier. In addition, 40% of German respondents believe that generative AI such as ChatGPT improves equal opportunities in education and the technology helps two-thirds (67%) better understand educational content. Thus, the impact of ChatGPT and generative AI in general on the education sector has been significant, while the regulatory challenge remains that you can also get a research paper or article written by AI. But services like Quizlet Q-Chat and similar AI apps in particular can help here. Because AI tools can be more customizable than comprehensive ChatGPT. In the future, there may be an AI tool that helps search or summarize information, but it does not have the ability to generate the amount of text needed for an article or research paper.

About Quizlet

Quizlet is a globally accessible learning platform that provides learners of all types with exciting e-learning tools. Every month, more than 60 million users around the world use Quizlet to learn all kinds of topics or topics – whether at school, for study or to expand personal knowledge – including one million users in Germany alone. Using a combination of cognitive science and artificial intelligence in the form of machine learning, Quizlet accompanies its users through adaptable learning exercises so they can quickly achieve their learning goals. The company offers free and subscription-based templates for learners and teachers, allowing for greater customization. Using artificial intelligence, Quizlet trains and improves memory, promotes independent learning, and supports the individual learning goals of all learners, regardless of educational background. Headquartered in San Francisco, Quizlet’s core products include digital flashcards, matching games, practice exercises, and live quizzes. More information can be found at www.quizlet.com/de.

Media contact:

Constanze Creel
Allison + Partners
[email protected]

Original content from: Quizlet, transmitted by aktuell news