Need to teach students to use AI properly

On the Facebook group 'HCMC Parents Association', there is a post with the topic of children using ChatGPT to do homework that has been shared and discussed by many parents and teachers.

Here, a group member said: "My first grader is going to second grade this year, and he uses AI to do all the homework the teacher assigned, so he gradually becomes paralyzed when doing addition and subtraction without a calculator or phone." Another member "asked for help" from everyone: "How can we handle it if students/children all use AI to do their homework?"

LAZY THINKING LEADS TO UNDEVELOPED THINKING

Discussing the impact of children abusing ChatGPT or other AI applications, Professor Hoang Van Kiem, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Saigon International University, commented: "It cannot be denied that AI has helped children access information quickly, multi-dimensionally, concisely and intuitively. However, if abused, it leads to many risks."

AI, if used properly, can be a tool to support students' learning.

PHOTO: CHATGPT

The first risk is that children may lose motivation to think because AI always has the answer. The second is laziness to debate, children easily accept AI's opinion as "truth" without checking, arguing or asking counter-questions. The third is the risk of reducing active memory when AI explains for them, children do not need to review, do not need to "struggle" with the problem.

The next consequence is that students will lose their ability to solve real-life problems because AI mainly provides theoretical or model solutions. Students have less opportunity to experience and explore different right and wrong ways, which are the core of problem-solving thinking. Gradually, students may lose the ability to analyze real-life situations, especially problems that require observation, cooperation, emotions, etc.

From another perspective, Master Bui Thanh Tu, lecturer of the Faculty of Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology, said that AI currently does not have enough data to answer all types of questions, so when there is a lack of information, AI will fabricate data. That can have consequences on the thinking of students who have enough knowledge to evaluate the correctness and appropriateness of the answer.

"If the purpose of students is to self-study, AI can help them summarize knowledge in the form of mindmaps, create additional exercises, and give feedback on the results of their work. But if the purpose is to take advantage of AI to cope with studying, then students will definitely be lazy to think, dependent on AI, unable to solve problems on their own... Using AI incorrectly will have very long-term consequences," shared Master Tu.

Mr. Tran Tam, Principal of Banh Van Tran Primary School (Tan Son Nhat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), is worried that many primary school children now know how to use ChatGPT to do homework, answer all questions... "This is very dangerous when children no longer know how to think for themselves, solve problems by themselves, become dependent... When doing tests and exams in class, they will be confused. When encountering difficult problems, they do not know how to think and solve them," said Mr. Tam.

Teach children how to use AI applications in learning to avoid dependence, reliance leading to laziness in thinking, and underdeveloped thinking.

PHOTO: ND

G AGE AND SCHOOL LEVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR USING A I

Mr. Vu Do Tuan Huy, AI technology and application expert, Director of the National Center for Creative Economy and Digital Technology, commented: "The most important thing is that we guide and teach children how to use AI so that AI brings positive things, not negative ones. Parents and children use ChatGPT together, ask questions and ask ChatGPT to answer in an open-ended way, with many different situations/solutions, then discuss with their children the content that ChatGPT has answered. That helps children to be suggested, gain more knowledge, and practice critical thinking and problem solving, not completely dependent on ChatGPT".

Professor, Dr. Hoang Van Kiem believes that parents and teachers should teach their children the following 5 things: Think first - ask AI later; AI suggests - choose the way to do it; If using AI, you must be clear; AI cannot replace your heart and real experience; Use AI to learn better - not to learn instead.

In addition, Mr. Kiem also suggested setting appropriate limits for age and level of education. For example, primary schools use AI to suggest and explain concepts, not to do homework for others. Secondary schools use AI to discuss, broaden perspectives, and combine with personal thinking, but must clearly state which parts are supported by AI. High school students and above can use AI to synthesize, debate, and create, but must cite sources and clearly annotate the role of AI.

"Each school should set specific regulations and detailed instructions on how to use AI applications in learning. At the primary level, children should not be allowed to use applications like ChatGPT without control. At the secondary level, schools can use plagiarism checking applications; can give tests in the form of general knowledge or practical application," Master Bui Thanh Tu suggested.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-day-hoc-sinh-su-dung-ai-dung-cach-18525073120084234.htm