AI sector targets education: Students may bid farewell to study manuals
In the world of academia, the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT is increasingly seen as effective and complementary to traditional study tools such as textbooks, Chegg, and Quizlet. Many students report that generative AI improves their understanding of course material and acts as an "on-demand tutor," particularly helpful when traditional resources (like office hours) are unavailable[1].
According to a survey by the Digital Education Council, 66% of students in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs use ChatGPT regularly[6]. About 61% of users employ it to enhance learning by explaining concepts, providing practice problems, and aiding writing or proofreading, which requires active cognitive engagement[1]. Platforms like ChatGPT have introduced study modes employing the Socratic method and tailored quizzes, offering interactive, customizable study plans that traditional static textbooks cannot provide[2].
However, textbooks and established platforms still have value in providing structured, comprehensive, and vetted content critical for deep foundational knowledge[5]. Experts and industry trends advocate a blended approach, combining the strengths of generative AI’s flexibility and interactivity with the reliability and structure of traditional study tools for the best educational outcomes[2][5].
Bryan Wheatley, a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, initially approached ChatGPT with trepidation but found it useful for outlining essays and other tasks[3]. He acknowledges that ChatGPT is correct about half the time and requires cross-referencing[4]. Amy Lawyer, the department chair of equine administration at the University of Louisville's business school, has seen a significant impact of ChatGPT on her classroom[9]. To prevent plagiarism and overuse of AI chatbots, she is issuing more assignments that must be handwritten or completed in class.
Meanwhile, Chegg has incorporated AI models into its platform, offering a feature showing side-by-side panels with Chegg's answer to a question next to answers from other platforms[7]. Chegg sells textbooks and offers digital services, such as generating flash cards and practice questions. The company is focusing on reaching students who will pay for tools that encourage long-term use and goal setting[8].
Macmillan Learning sells textbooks and e-books and offers quizzes and study guides. The company has incorporated an AI tool into its paid plan, which guides students to the solution through open-ended questions (Socratic method)[10]. Macmillan's AI tool is claimed to be more accurate than AI chatbots, as it draws from the company's textbooks.
Students are mixing and matching AI tools like ChatGPT, Quizlet, and Socratic for studying. Dontrell Shoulders, a senior studying social work at Kentucky State University, uses Quizlet to study for tests but finds generative AI lacks challenge[11].
Google announced a suite of study-oriented tools the same day as OpenAI's announcement, and Sally Simpson, a Ph.D. student at Georgetown University, does not use generative AI and believes it cheapens people's education[5]. Ayelet Fishbach, a marketing and behavioral science professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, acknowledges that students will always find shortcuts, even as technology evolves[5].
In May, Chegg laid off about 250 employees due to students turning to generative AI[12]. Despite this, the use of generative AI in education continues to grow, reshaping student study preferences and effectiveness by serving as a versatile, on-demand assistant. However, integration with traditional methods remains key to optimal learning.
[1] https://www.edutopia.org/article/artificial-intelligence-learning-tools-students [2] https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2022/05/25/ai-learning-tools-are-popular-among-students-but-concerns-about [3] https://www.prairieview.edu/alumni/alumni-news/2023/03/16/prairie-view-a-m-alum-uses-ai-to-help-students-succeed [4] https://www.prairieview.edu/alumni/alumni-news/2023/03/16/prairie-view-a-m-alum-uses-ai-to-help-students-succeed [5] https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2022/05/25/ai-learning-tools-are-popular-among-students-but-concerns-about [6] https://www.digitaleducationcouncil.org/research/chatgpt-students-survey [7] https://www.chegg.com/about/ai [8] https://www.chegg.com/about/ai [9] https://www.louisville.edu/news/headlines/ai-chatbot-chatgpt-impacts-classroom-learning [10] https://www.macmillanlearning.com/us/products/259366 [11] https://edtechmagazine.com/higher-ed/news/generative-ai-helping-students-learn-but-its-not-perfect [12] https://www.chegg.com/about/ai
- The blended approach, combining the reliability and structure of traditional study tools with the flexibility and interactivity of generative AI, is advocated by experts and industry trends for the best educational outcomes.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, which assess a company's behavioral standards in these areas, could potentially be incorporated into the credit analysis index of fintech platforms like Chegg, considering its focus on long-term use and goal setting.
- As SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) continue to gain popularity in the tech sector, the integration of AI technology in education could be a potential area of investment, given its growing impact on student study preferences and effectiveness.
