By Ruby Churchill
AI could be a tool of innovation or a distraction.
AI is a branch of computer science in which machines are designed to think like humans, as stated by Wix Encyclopedia. It helps computers achieve goals on their own, enabling tasks to be automated. As AI steadily reshapes industries worldwide, the classroom finds itself in the spotlight.
Increasingly sophisticated AI tools are entering the fray. Educators and students are left pondering—should we roll out the red carpet for AI, or should we be clutching our pearls in horror? While some believe AI can enhance learning experiences, others worry it might overshadow the all-important human touch.
The potential of AI to revolutionize education is immense. It can tackle tedious tasks, as well as personalized learning, automated grading, and administrative duties.
As Old Testament professor Dr. Thomas Middlebrook puts it, “AI is the internet all grown up. And now it can talk to you.”
Some schools are already integrating AI into their classrooms. Georgia State and UC Berkeley utilize virtual assistants, according to the website Global Admissions. Such chatbots can help with admissions, financial aid, and general college questions. AI is further being used for research and campus security. Could Simpson be next?
Professor Rosealine Lemette of the Digital Media Department has been investigating how Simpson could utilize AI.
“The AI that I’ve actually been looking at for classroom use is an AI chatbot that gets integrated into Canvas. These chatbots…you can train them on your subject matter so that they won’t give out answers and they know how to coach the students,” Lemette said.
In the scheme of educational innovation, using AI in the classroom could be the next step for Simpson University. Professors and students alike are entering a brave new world.
“I know our provost is leaning that way, it’s just really getting a lot of people on board. So, he encouraged us to go to a seminar where we watched other schools that were using these trainable chatbots in classrooms…” Lemette said.
With the abilities of AI ever widening, the possibilities are endless. This means an educational transformation could be on the rise.
“Of course it’s going to change education. It’s going to change the type of student that we get, and the type of products that those students are going to go on to develop,” Middlebrook said, “...maybe the biggest boon to education will come with a world-class tutor for every grade level, for people who don’t even have basic education access.”
However, there are concerns about AI. Not everyone is ready to hand over the reins of teaching to our silicon friends. It is important to determine the best way to utilize it.
“The question is, like any tool, what is the best use of it? We can use books as stepstools, but they’re meant to be read. We can use AI to write our 5-page essay for us, but it’s meant to develop your mind and thinking,” Middlebrook said.
Dr. Timothy Orr, Associate Professor of History, also had some thoughts. He highlighted further worries related to education and learning.
“Multiple generations are cutting the corners thinking that we care about the end result when, as professors, in actuality we really care about the process,” Orr said.
“Students tend to think that AI is somehow separate from plagiarism, it’s not, you're just plagiarizing a computer,” Orr added.
How colleges should navigate this AI-infused landscape is a question on everyone’s minds. The key may be striking a balance—leveraging AI’s strengths without letting it pull focus from good old-fashioned human interaction.
“On a more practical level, recognizing that students are going to use it anyway, I think it needs to be standardized much like work citations are standardized,” Orr said.
As AI evolves, its role in education is bound to grow, offering students a treasure trove of resources. However, it is important to approach this shiny new tech with a critical eye. AI should be the cherry on top, not the entire sundae.
Comments