A new survey found that just over one in five middle school students use the artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT for school-related tasks such as essay writing.
The survey also found that 83% of middle school students worry that overuse of smartphones is impairing their ability to concentrate and learn.
More than a third (38%) of students say they use their mobile phone for 4 or more hours per day, and 16% say they use it for 6 or more hours per day.
Snapchat and Instagram are the most popular applications students are most likely to use, with 87% of the 1,000+ students surveyed using them regularly I answered.
About 54% of respondents said video-sharing apps like TikTok and Instagram severely impacted their ability to concentrate.
The study was conducted by research website StudyClix, founded by former middle school teacher Luke Sandersink, who said the results “represented reality very well.”
He said it was “amazing” that some students were using their phones for more than six hours a day, and a distraction blocker app that could block notifications and access to apps for a period of time could help. I added that there is.
“Instead of taking a hardline no-phone approach, parents can help make their children aware of their phone use and avoid distractions such as the Forest App to manage phone use in a healthier way. We encourage you to try the app.”
Sanders said the survey shows that students realize they’re using their phones too much but “need help to deal with distractions.” .
On the topic of ChatGPT, Sanders said the extent of ChatGPT usage among secondary school students “certainly worries educators.”
“They seem to be using the tool to write essays in English, history, European languages, and code in computer science classes,” he said.
“Oddly enough, I think the inevitable rise of ChatGPT and other AI tools means that state exams will remain strictly handwritten exams well into the future.”
The survey also asked students about their main life and educational concerns and future prospects.
Not surprisingly, exam-related stress was cited as the main concern by nearly three-quarters (74%) of students, and 64% expressed concern about the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Just under half (47%) of the students surveyed said they were working part-time to earn extra income, and 28% said they were likely to leave Ireland in the future.
