Swedish students are open to AI tools such as ChatGPT in teaching, but 62% believe using chatbots during exams is cheating. But it’s very unclear where the line for cheating lies. This is shown in a Chalmers University of Technology study, the first large European study to examine student attitudes towards artificial intelligence in higher education.
“I am afraid of AI and what it means for the future.”
“Don’t worry so much! Keep up with developments and adapt your teachings for the future.”
“Tools like ChatGPT will revolutionize the way we learn and allow us to come up with great things.”
These are 3 of nearly 2,000 arbitrary comments in a recent survey taken by some 6,000 Swedish students.
“Students express strong, diverse and often emotional opinions,” says Professor Hans Malmström of the Department of Communication Sciences and Learning at Chalmers University of Technology. He conducted this study with his colleagues Christian Steer and Amy Wanyu Ou.
Over a third use ChatGPT regularly
A majority of respondents believe that chatbots and AI language tools will improve their efficiency as students, claiming that such tools will improve their academic papers and overall language skills. Nearly all of the students who responded were familiar with his ChatGPT, with the majority using the tool and 35% using chatbots on a regular basis.
Lack of guidance – against bans
Despite their positive attitudes towards AI, many students feel insecure and lack clear guidance on how to use AI in their learning environment. It’s very difficult to know where the cheat line is.
“Most students don’t know if their educational institutions have rules and guidelines for using AI responsibly. I disagree,” says Hans Malmström.
There is no substitute for critical thinking
Many students perceive chatbots as mentors or teachers who can ask questions and get help, such as explaining concepts or summarizing ideas. The prevailing view is that chatbots should be used as an aid, not as a substitute for students’ own critical thinking. Or as one student said: “It should be able to do the same as AI, but AI needs to help it. If you don’t know what the plus sign on your calculator does, don’t use it.”
Assistance in case of disability
Another important aspect revealed by this research is that AI can act as an effective aid to people with various disabilities. A student with ADD and dyslexia described how spending 20 minutes writing down the questionnaire answers and entering the text into ChatGPT improved it: “It’s like being colorblind and suddenly seeing all the beautiful colors.”
give students a voice
Researchers have now collected a wealth of important information and are summarizing the results in a summary report.
“We hope and believe that the responses in this survey will give students a voice and that the results will be an important contribution to our collective understanding of AI and learning,” Science Communication and Associate Professor Christian Steer of the Faculty of Learning said: at Charmers.
Learn more about research
“Chatbots and Other AIs for Learning: A Survey of Use and Perceptions of Swedish University Students” was conducted in the following manner: Chalmers researchers from April 5 to May 5, 2023 conducted a survey. Students from all Swedish universities were able to participate. Participate. The survey was distributed through social media and covered the efforts of multiple colleges and student organizations. A total of 5,894 students responded to the survey.
Summary of results:
- 95% of students are familiar with ChatGPT, but have very low awareness of other chatbots.
- 56% are positive about using chatbots in research. 35% use his ChatGTP regularly.
- 60% oppose banning chatbots and 77% oppose banning other AI tools in education (such as Grammarly).
- Over half of students don’t know if their institution has guidelines on how to use AI in education. 1 in 4 of them clearly stated that their educational institution does not have such regulations.
- 62% believe using chatbots during exams is cheating.
- Students have expressed some concern about the development of AI, especially about the impact chatbots will have on the future of education.
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