September 12th, 2024

Kids who use ChatGPT as a study assistant do worse on tests

A University of Pennsylvania study found high school students using ChatGPT performed worse on math tests, indicating that reliance on AI may hinder learning and problem-solving skills despite improved practice performance.

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Kids who use ChatGPT as a study assistant do worse on tests

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that high school students using ChatGPT as a study aid performed worse on math tests compared to those who did not use the AI tool. The experiment involved nearly 1,000 Turkish high school students, where those with access to ChatGPT solved more practice problems correctly but scored 17% lower on subsequent tests. A separate group using a modified version of ChatGPT, designed to provide hints rather than direct answers, showed improved practice problem performance but did not achieve better test scores than students who practiced without AI assistance. The researchers concluded that reliance on ChatGPT may inhibit learning, as students often sought direct answers instead of developing problem-solving skills. Additionally, ChatGPT's inaccuracies contributed to the issue, with the chatbot providing correct answers only half the time. The study highlighted a concerning trend of overconfidence among students, who believed they learned effectively despite poor test results. The findings suggest that while AI can assist in practice, it may not enhance actual learning outcomes, echoing historical concerns about technology's impact on education.

- Students using ChatGPT performed worse on math tests than those who did not.

- A modified AI tutor version improved practice performance but did not enhance test scores.

- Overreliance on AI tools may inhibit the development of problem-solving skills.

- ChatGPT's inaccuracies contributed to students' poor performance.

- Students exhibited overconfidence in their learning despite lower test results.

Link Icon 11 comments
By @benterix - 3 months
That's one of the reasons that, after the initial infatuation, I actively try to avoid ChatGPT except for very specific scenarios. It's like a cheap life choice - seems attractive on the surface but the long-term outcomes are often worse.
By @dewfaced - 3 months
I like to use it to help me with math problems, or rather when I get the wrong answer to a math problem I use chatgpt to show me the steps and then I am able to review my work.
By @benopal64 - 3 months
Are experts helping kids use ChatGPT as a tool to learn? Or are we giving kids powerful tools with little instruction?

I have a feeling that is an unintentional #2 that dominates reality.

By @KolenCh - 3 months
By @hkmaxpro - 3 months
By @tivert - 3 months
Fantastic! The less educated and less skilled the next generation of people are, the more opportunity there will be for AI.
By @josefritzishere - 3 months
ChatGPT has no concept of objective truth. How can it be anything other than a hinderance?
By @jjk166 - 3 months
I think this study really just shows that the value of practice problems is the practice.
By @hindsightbias - 3 months
Thinking is now for machines and robots. The early phases of post-scarcity are bound to be a bit bumpy.
By @charlie0 - 3 months
In other news, water is wet.