AI in Education

Photo Credit: Freepik.com

“Why don’t you stop your chitchat on the phone and study like your siblings?” Ivan’s mother scolded him while making his bed. Despite being one of the laziest students in grade 8, Ivan had some grasp of math, but he preferred unproductive activities, spending his time playing with the rowdies of the neighborhood instead of studying.

His parents were concerned about his lack of academic progress and disapproved of his association with unruly peers. Ivan’s closest friend, Nikolai, shared his penchant for skipping school and neglecting assignments.

As advancements in AI continued to unfold, Nikolai approached Ivan with an offer to trade knowledge: “You teach me basic mathematics, and in return, I’ll introduce you to an AI chatbot that can instantly solve your homework.” Surprised by Nikolai’s sudden interest in academics, Ivan wondered what had sparked the change in his friend’s behavior.

Intrigued by the promise of an easier academic journey, Ivan agreed to Nikolai's proposal, curious about the potential of this new AI companion. Despite initial doubts, Ivan delved into the world of mathematics, guiding Nikolai through the basics while eagerly anticipating the introduction to the mysterious homework-solving chatbot.

As days passed, Nikolai appeared unexpectedly in Ivan's room, slamming the door shut behind him before flopping into a chair beside his friend.

“Do you remember when I mentioned about an AI ally that could solve even the trickiest of questions?” Nikolai began, his words flashing across the screen of his iPad. “It’s incredible. It is called chatgtp which is prepared by Open AI recently. With just a few clicks, it can make us smarter than Einstein or Isaac Newton. From solving complex physics problems to crafting flawless English essays for your tuitions, it only requires a few button presses.”

“You mean I could search anything I want, even writing paragraphs on various topics?” Ivan inquired, intrigued by the possibilities.

“Yes, of course,” Nikolai confirmed.

As days melted into nights and nights into days, Ivan diligently completed his homework, aided by the AI ally. Instead of struggling with complex math problems or laboring over essay writing, he simply inputted the questions or essay titles, and comprehensive solutions appeared before his eyes. His teachers were astonished by Ivan's sudden dedication to his studies, while his parents were overjoyed to see him immersed in his books.

With great enthusiasm and the assistance of his digital ally, Ivan's academic performance soared. He consistently received A grades for completing his homework and produced the best essays among his classmates, marking a remarkable transformation from his previous academic struggles. His parents and teachers were confident that Ivan would ace the exams this time.

The next month, on the day of the exam, Ivan was stunned to find himself unable to write a single essay or solve a mathematics problem. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he realized the extent of his dependency on ChatGPT, neglecting to sharpen his own mind through hard work and dedication.

As the results were announced, Ivan's heart sank when he discovered he had failed the exams. His parents, expecting success given his previous academic achievements, were shocked and dismayed.

Upon returning home on the day of the results, Ivan reluctantly handed his report card to his father. 

“You have failed the exam again,” his father remarked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

“Yes, Papa,” Ivan replied, feeling the weight of his failure.

“Why did you fail despite being able to solve even the trickiest math problems and write the best essays in class?” his father questioned, his frustration evident. “It must be your teachers’ fault for irregular grading. We’ll speak to the principal tomorrow and inquire about your results.”

“No, Papa, it’s not their fault,” Ivan confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I have been entirely dependent on an AI chatbot called ChatGPT. It solved my math problems and wrote essays for me. I never actually wrote them myself, and on the day of the exams, I couldn’t write a single answer,” Ivan ended, his tone filled with remorse.

“Oh, I see,” his father responded, a mixture of understanding and disappointment in his voice. “You mean you used ChatGPT not to enhance your knowledge but kept misusing it. Listen, my son. I also started using it after I learned about it from a friend. However, I didn’t misuse it; I kept learning about science facts and working on my projects. My friends in the office use it to learn English by memorizing at least one new English word and idiom each day. It can teach you anything, from astronomy to learning a new language.”

“Yes, Dad, from today onwards, I will use it to enhance my knowledge and not be dependent on it to do my assignments,” confessed Ivan.

“Yes, my son. Our brains have certain wirings stretched throughout it, called neurons.They reshape and mold themselves based on how we use them.If you engage in sports, you develop wiring for athleticism, and if you immerse yourself in studies, you develop wiring for learning. Why would you want to develop wiring that leads to instant gratification but ultimately a fruitless life?” his father concluded, his words filled with wisdom.

The next day, Ivan promised himself that he would use ChatGPT to enhance his knowledge but would tackle tasks independently to develop his neural pathways.