CBS Morning News: "AI Use in Schools: Ban or Fan?"

Summary

The debate over generative AI in education is dividing classrooms across the country. Some educators, like Amanda Baker, advocate for teaching AI literacy and responsible usage, believing it’s an essential skill for the future. In contrast, Professor James Taylor argues that AI undermines critical thinking and should be banned in certain classroom settings, particularly for tasks requiring deep intellectual engagement. Both sides agree on the importance of teaching students how to think critically, but they differ in how to integrate AI into the learning process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Generative AI is creating a divide in classrooms, with some educators embracing its use while others ban it entirely.
• 😀 A report from the Center for Democracy and Technology shows 59% of teachers believe students have used generative AI for school assignments.
• 😀 Some students use tools like ChatGPT to quickly complete assignments, raising concerns about cheating and academic integrity.
• 😀 Teachers who oppose AI usage in classrooms worry that it could undermine critical thinking and intellectual development.
• 😀 Amanda Baker argues that AI literacy is crucial, preparing students for a future where AI is ubiquitous and teaching them how to use it responsibly.
• 😀 Professor James Taylor, who bans AI in his philosophy classes, believes that AI can hinder students' ability to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
• 😀 Amanda emphasizes that teaching students how to effectively use AI tools can require critical thinking and reflective skills, making it more than just an easy shortcut.
• 😀 In a panel experiment, two high school students spent a week learning to prompt AI tools to write essays, which they found more challenging than doing it themselves.
• 😀 Amanda suggests that teaching foundational skills, including critical thinking, is even more important in the age of AI, as recent scores show a decline in reading proficiency.
• 😀 Both Amanda and James agree that educating students on how to engage in complex, philosophical conversations and critical thinking is essential for their future success.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding the use of generative AI in schools?

The primary concern is that generative AI may enable students to complete assignments without engaging in critical thinking or developing the necessary intellectual skills, potentially undermining the educational process.

How do students typically use generative AI for their homework?

Students can input their assignments into AI tools like ChatGPT and receive completed responses almost instantly, making it easy to finish homework without much effort.

What is Amanda Baker's approach to AI in education?

Amanda believes in a balanced approach where students are taught to use generative AI responsibly. She emphasizes AI literacy, teaching students to understand what AI is, how it works, and how to use it ethically.

Why does Professor James Taylor ban the use of AI in his philosophy classes?

Professor Taylor believes that students must develop critical thinking skills by engaging with and analyzing arguments themselves, rather than relying on AI. He sees the use of AI as outsourcing thinking and hindering the development of essential reasoning abilities.

What is the philosophical argument behind banning AI in the classroom according to Professor Taylor?

Professor Taylor argues that the core objective of philosophy education is to engage students in deep analysis and critical thinking. Using AI to generate answers without students' intellectual engagement undermines this process.

How does Amanda argue that AI use can still promote critical thinking?

Amanda argues that effectively using AI, especially in tasks like prompting, requires significant skills, including critical thinking, reflection, and evaluation, which can mirror the process of writing and thinking critically.

What example did Amanda give to demonstrate the skills required for using AI?

Amanda described an exercise where two students had to create a fully AI-generated essay, which took them a week to refine. This process required them to learn how to use AI tools effectively and engage critically with their own ideas.

How does Professor Taylor view AI's role in philosophy?

Professor Taylor sees AI as an opportunity to enhance philosophical thinking, particularly in prompting. He believes that learning to ask the right questions using AI could be considered a form of philosophical inquiry.

What common ground do Amanda and Professor Taylor share on the use of AI in education?

Both agree that AI is a powerful tool that must be used responsibly. They also agree that AI can aid students in their education but should be done in a way that promotes critical thinking and intellectual engagement.

What is the potential downside of banning AI entirely in schools, according to Amanda?

Amanda argues that banning AI could make it a 'forbidden fruit,' enticing students to use it secretly in ways that could be detrimental to their learning and development, especially in terms of understanding AI's risks and benefits.