AI in the Classroom: English Teachers Grapple with Chatbots and Declining Literacy
ChatGPT: A Tool for Idea Generation or a Writing Crutch?
Lisa Parry, a high school English teacher in South Dakota, faced a dilemma: her students’ essays lacked originality. To address this, she introduced ChatGPT to her classroom. ChatGPT, a powerful AI chatbot, offered fresh perspectives on topics like the fast-food industry. One student suggested exploring McDonald’s use of sugar in its products, a topic Parry found intriguing.
Parry’s experience mirrors a growing trend among English teachers: 40% nationwide now incorporate AI into their lessons. However, this shift coincides with a decline in literacy skills among fourth and eighth graders.
Is AI a Boon or a Bane for Literacy?
Peggy Carr, commissioner of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, attributes the literacy crisis to teachers’ changing literacy practices in the digital age. Students are increasingly relying on devices for reading, leading to less interaction with written passages.
AI’s impact on literacy is complex. Products like Amira Learning and CourseMojo claim to enhance reading and writing skills. Yet, as Ying Xu, an assistant professor of artificial intelligence in learning and education at Harvard University, notes, AI chatbots struggle with oral language comprehension and encourage less social interaction.
Resistance to AI
Katie Thomas, a New Jersey high school English teacher, banned the use of AI chatbots after discovering students were using them to write essays. She fears AI’s potential to stifle critical thinking and open students to manipulation by employers and others who exploit their inability to read and write independently.
Parry, on the other hand, embraces ChatGPT’s potential while acknowledging its limitations. She encourages students to use it for idea generation and revising, but emphasizes the importance of original writing and critical thinking.
The Future of AI in English Education
School districts nationwide are exploring AI’s potential. Newark Public Schools plans to implement Khan Academy’s Khanmigo teaching tool, while San Ramon Valley Unified School District is considering its impact on writing instruction.
As AI evolves, educators like Parry are eager to experiment with its potential to enhance writing. However, the balance between leveraging AI’s benefits and safeguarding students’ critical thinking and literacy skills remains a challenge that educators must address.
Key Takeaways
- ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are gaining popularity in English classrooms as tools for idea generation and homework assistance.
- The use of AI raises concerns about declining literacy skills, particularly in oral language comprehension and critical thinking.
- Some teachers embrace AI’s potential while others resist it, fearing its negative impact on student learning.
- The future of AI in English education hinges on finding a balance between leveraging its benefits and mitigating its potential drawbacks.
