Comment by michaelbuckbee
11 hours ago
I have two kids (sophmore in HS and a middle schooler) and in both their individual studies and when I'm helping them with homework we use AI pretty extensively now.
The one off stuff is mostly taking a picture of a math problem and asking it to walk step by step through the process. In particular this has been helpful to me as the processes and techniques have changed.
It's been useful in foreign languages as well to rapidly check work, and make corrections.
On the generative side it's fantastic for things like: give me 3 more math problems similar to this one or for generating worksheets and study guides.
As far as technological adoption goes, it's 100% that every kid knows what ChatGPT is (even maybe more than just "AI" in general). There's some very mixed feelings from the kids with it: my middle schooler was pretty creeped out by the ChatGPT voice interface for example.
Why not use the textbook to work through assigned problems? As a kid I would have been tempted to use AI because studying seemed tough. But as an adult on the otherside, I understood that I am only responsible for what is taught to me, or in other words, everything is solveable based on what is taught and you have all the pieces you need to do it if you pay attention in class and to assigned readings. I don’t think I fully appreciated that until halfway through college. Felt like a cheat code when I did. Like “oh thats how to get an A, it was all so simple all along.”
The generative side there is brilliant. Great tip.
My SO taught for a while. I think it's that the kids that are doing well, like yours, with support at home, food, a bed, a safe place, those kids are going to be like strapping a rocket to a racehorse.
It's the other ~80% of kids that are the worry. AI, with no support and guidance, it's going to make their lives a lot harder.