The Negative Impact of AI Tools like Chat GPT on Assignment-Based Courses and Strategies for Teachers to Minimise or Avoid It By: Raza Soomro

The Negative Impact of AI Tools like Chat GPT on Assignment-Based Courses and Strategies for Teachers to Minimize or Avoid It

by?Raza Soomro

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, its impact on education, including assignment-based courses, is becoming increasingly prominent. AI tools, such as Chat GPT, have the potential to shape the learning experience. However, these tools also present challenges that educators must address to ensure a balanced and effective educational environment. In this article, we will explore the negative effects of AI tools on assignment-based courses and discuss strategies that teachers can employ to minimize or avoid their potential pitfalls.

1. Reduced Engagement and Interaction:

While AI tools like Chat GPT can provide immediate responses to student queries, they can inadvertently reduce student engagement and interaction. Students may become overly reliant on AI for answers, leading to a passive learning experience. To counter this, teachers should encourage active participation by promoting classroom discussions, group activities, and one-on-one interactions. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, teachers can minimize the negative impact of AI tools on student engagement.

2. Hindrance to Critical Thinking Skills:

AI tools often provide quick and accurate solutions, potentially hindering the development of critical thinking skills among students. When faced with challenging assignments or problems, students may opt for AI-generated answers instead of independently analyzing and problem-solving. Teachers can combat this issue by designing assignments that require complex thinking, creativity, and originality. By emphasizing critical thinking skills, teachers can help students overcome the reliance on AI tools and develop their intellectual capabilities.

3. Limited Personalized Feedback:

AI tools may offer automated feedback, but they often lack the personalization and depth that human teachers can provide. Personalized feedback is crucial for students' growth, as it addresses their individual strengths and weaknesses. Teachers should ensure they actively engage in providing detailed, constructive feedback that supports student learning and encourages improvement. Combining the benefits of AI tools with human feedback can enhance the effectiveness of assignment-based courses.

4. Ethical Concerns and Bias:

AI tools like Chat GPT rely on vast datasets, and if these datasets contain biased information or discriminatory content, it can inadvertently propagate biased or inaccurate answers. Teachers should be aware of these ethical concerns and encourage students to critically evaluate and question the information provided by AI tools.

By discussing the limitations and potential biases of AI technologies, educators can foster an environment of critical awareness and help students navigate potential pitfalls.

5. Promoting Digital Literacy:

To minimize the negative impact of AI tools, teachers must prioritize digital literacy skills among students. Digital literacy encompasses understanding AI limitations, recognizing reliable sources, and evaluating the accuracy of AI-generated content. Teachers can incorporate lessons on digital literacy, information literacy, and critical evaluation of AI-generated information into the curriculum. Equipping students with these skills will enable them to navigate AI tools responsibly and independently.

6. Maintaining a Balanced Approach:

Rather than completely avoiding AI tools, teachers can adopt a balanced approach to their use. Integrating AI tools as supplementary resources rather than primary sources of information can help strike a balance between human instruction and AI assistance. Teachers can guide students on when and how to use AI tools effectively, ensuring that they serve as complementary aids to learning, rather than replacing human interaction and instruction.

Conclusion:

While AI tools like Chat GPT have the potential to support assignment-based courses, teachers must be mindful of their negative impacts. By actively addressing issues such as reduced engagement, hindrance to critical thinking, limited personalized feedback, ethical concerns, and promoting digital literacy, educators can minimize the adverse effects of AI tools. A balanced approach that combines the benefits of AI tools with human guidance and interaction is essential for maintaining an effective and enriching learning experience in assignment-based courses.