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In Days of Yore, Today’s Naysayers Fought Calculators
Imagine not being able to use a calculator or a computer in today’s world. If AI in education naysayers have their way, such a future awaits today’s students.
This thought was sparked by my grandson, who recently got punished for using ChatGPT on a homework assignment. To me, my grandson’s professors are limiting the education process. Properly used, artificial intelligence enhances, not stifles, education.
To me, it makes no sense not to use artificial intelligence. After all, today’s debate over AI in education mirrors the debate over calculators and computers. It seems to be the way innovation progresses through education. Resistance gives way to grudging acknowledgement before final acceptance.
Don’t believe me? Read on.
How Calculators Boosted Student Engagement
Decades ago, educators derided the notion that calculators could help, not hinder. Relying on the new devices would render mathematics education virtually useless, they argued.
Educators feared students would spend years punching numbers on a keypad only to leave school thinking 2+2=5 – unless they had a Teal LC811 handy. Regular price in 1977 was $24.95, but you could find that calculator on sale for $19.95.
With calculators as a crutch, how could students learn basic arithmetic skills?
Those fears seem quaint in an age where most people carry around a supercomputer. (That’s what we called smartphones when the technology filled an entire room, not the palm of your hand.)
I remember. Way back when calculators first became available, I was a college freshman. Cost (and bans by professors, teachers and administrators) prevented many from using them.
The debate raged on through the 1970s and 1980s.
By summer 1991, the College Board Review fashioned the arguments into their cover story. Joan Countryman and Elizabeth Wilson did more than dispute the notion that calculators would dumb down mathematics instruction.
They argued that calculators would help students focus on solving complex problems instead of rote calculations. Take this example, for instance, from their article:
“Exploring the properties of higher degree polynomials and rational functions is so difficult when all the graphing is done by hand that the topic is given less emphasis in some classrooms. With a graphing calculator, students can observe, investigate, and come to understand the behavior of functions like y = (x3 – 10×2 + x + 50)/ (x – 2), or y = 18×6 + 3×5 – 25×4 – 41×3 – 15×2.”
That’s better student engagement. I’ll take learning about the higher degree polynomials and rational functions over 2 + 2 = 4 any day.
For AI, Teaching and Learning Applies to Educators
In time, teachers and professors will accept AI-enabled education. Just like eventually, the world taught educators about the use of calculators. Professors recognized that calculators could enhance learning. Because students could focus on more complex problem-solving skills.
The debate over computers trod the same path. Nowadays, if you finish your education and can’t use a computer, you’ve wasted years of your life.
Similarly, AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, Perplexity AI and others are now at the forefront of educational technology. These tools can help students generate ideas, understand complex concepts and even improve their writing skills.
AI has the potential to revolutionize education by providing personalized learning experiences. AI tools can adapt to individual learning styles, offering tailored explanations and resources that cater to each student’s needs. This personalized approach can help bridge gaps in understanding and foster a deeper engagement with the material.
Yet, just like with calculators and computers, some fret that students might misuse AI. And truthfully, becoming dependent on any kind of crutch could hinder educational development.
Because despite the benefits, integrating AI in education presents challenges. One major concern is the potential for academic dishonesty. Students can use AI to complete assignments without truly engaging with the material. This raises questions about the fairness and integrity of the educational process.
To address these concerns, universities and schools must learn how to establish clear guidelines for harnessing AI in education. This includes teaching students about the ethical implications of using AI and encouraging them to use these tools as aids rather than crutches.
Beyond that, educators should focus on developing assessments that evaluate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Such assignments, unlike rote learning, are less likely to be compromised by AI assistance.
AI in Education Will Improve Learning Outcomes
Humans can use tools the right way or the wrong way. Using a hammer to nail in a board is appropriate. Using a hammer to smash your thumb? Not so much.
The same goes for AI technologies and AI-powered tools. Professors, teachers and education administrators need to figure out the right ways to use AI in education. Generative AI tools can improve educational outcomes. I want my grandson to become a better writer, not leave school writing 2 + 2 are 5. But I also want him to know how to use the latest tools, including AI.
Those opposing artificial intelligence in education are missing the boat by so much it’s a wonder they’re not drowning. Because AI will not replace humans. But humans with AI will replace those without.
Related Reading
- My Journey with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot
- ChatGPT is a Wave You Need to Ride, Not Deride
- ChatGPT and AI – A Creator of Value AND Jobs?
Jim Tompkins, Chairman of Tompkins Ventures, is an international authority on designing and implementing end-to-end supply chains. Over five decades, he has designed countless industrial facilities and supply chain solutions, enhancing the growth of numerous companies. He previously built Tompkins International from a backyard startup into an international consulting and implementation firm. Jim earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.