The groundbreaking advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) are making waves worldwide, transforming how we learn and teach. The education sector is now exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by digital transformation. One of the main topics at the Learning & Teaching Expo 2023 is the role of AI in education and its applications. Leading scholars from local, mainland, and international backgrounds are discussing how to effectively integrate AI into teaching, as well as its pros and cons for education. With generative AI on the rise, how should educators respond? Experts suggest that developing students' data literacy and self-regulated learning skills are two essential capabilities needed for the younger generation's future.
Cultivating Data Literacy in Students
Dragan Gašević, a prominent learning analytics professor at Monash University, emphasizes that generative AI, especially large language models (LLMs), can greatly support both teachers and students. These models have extensive language knowledge and expressive capabilities, enabling them to easily answer students’ academic questions and provide personalized learning experiences, particularly in writing.
（Gašević argues that instead of banning AI, educators should learn to harness it.）
He believes that AI will become increasingly integrated into education. He cites an example of a U.S. lawyer who mistakenly used a false legal precedent generated by ChatGPT, highlighting that ChatGPT is not yet a reliable search engine. Therefore, teachers must carefully vet their teaching materials to ensure they impart accurate knowledge. The focus for teachers should shift from catching students cheating with AI to helping them evaluate the authenticity of information in the vast sea of data—this is the essence of data literacy.
As AI can easily replace basic teaching tasks, the role of teachers is shifting from traditional knowledge transmitters to relational mentors. This means spending more time understanding students' needs and building emotional connections. Gašević adds that while generative AI can provide seemingly perfect answers, it’s the flawed and ambiguous responses from humans that foster deeper student engagement in learning.
Learning How to Learn: A Modern Superpower?
On another front, Jason Lodge, an associate professor at the University of Queensland’s Faculty of Education, stresses the importance of developing self-regulated learning (SRL) skills in students during the AI era. Lodge’s research indicates that the use of generative AI in students' learning processes has become commonplace. When faced with challenges, students often turn to AI tools first, seeking help from teachers only as a last resort. This behavior stems from a belief that their difficulties arise from a lack of ability, making them hesitant to ask teachers for assistance.
（Jason Lodge emphasizes the importance of cultivating self-regulated learning skills in students during the AI era.）
Given this, empowering students with self-regulated learning skills is crucial for them to effectively leverage AI technology. As Lodge states, “If students don’t understand their learning status, we can’t expect them to fully utilize AI in their studies.” He notes that a student’s level of self-regulated learning significantly impacts their decision-making when using AI tools. Research has shown that students with higher self-regulated learning skills tend to achieve better academic outcomes with the support of AI, while those with lower skills may struggle to navigate it effectively.
Learning how to learn is increasingly seen as a superpower of this generation. Educators should focus on cultivating students' self-regulated learning abilities early on, encouraging them to think independently rather than solely concentrating on academic results. Lodge advises educators to tailor their teaching methods to each student, recognizing that everyone requires different types of feedback and intervention based on their individual learning styles and levels. While guiding students to acquire new knowledge, it’s also essential to enhance their self-learning abilities. For younger students, teachers should invest more effort into course design that incorporates "guidance" and "scaffolding," rather than rushing to demand independence.
The Evolving Role of Teachers in the AI Era
In this new AI landscape, the role of teachers must also adapt. Building students' data literacy relies heavily on teachers' expertise and guidance. Teachers are key to enhancing students' abilities; by strengthening their autonomous learning skills, they can help students make the most of generative AI, leading to more effective learning and better preparation for future societal challenges.