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According to a new report from Quizlet, as generative AI continues to increase education momentum each year, both its adoption and its attitude towards use are growing steadily.
American Learning Report explores the perspectives of students, teachers and parents on AI implementation, digital learning and engagement, and success beyond classrooms.
“At Quizlet, we have kept students at the heart of everything we do for nearly 20 years,” says Kurt Beidler, CEO of Quizlet. “We classify this study to better understand the evolving research habits of today's students and build tools that not only make tens of millions of monthly learners successful, but also reflect what they really need from the learning experience.”
AI is ubiquitous in education
As generative AI solutions gain traction in education year by year, adoption and attitudes towards technology have increased and improved. A Quizlet survey found that 85% of respondents, including high school and university teachers, as well as students aged 14-22, used AI technology, up significantly from 66% in 2024.
Of 89% of all students who say they use AI technology in their schools (up from 77% in 2024), the top three use cases summarize or integrate information (56%), research (46%), and research guide or material generation (45%). The top level of AI technology among teachers remained the same, but we saw significant pre-growth growth: research (54% vs. 33%), information summary or synthesis (48% vs. 30%), classroom materials such as testing and assignment (45% vs. 31%).
The emergence of AI presents new challenges related to academic integrity, but 40% of respondents believe that AI is being used ethically and effectively in the classroom. However, students are significantly less likely to feel this method (29%) compared to parents (46%) and teachers (57%), indicating the ongoing need for education and guidelines for the responsible use of AI technology.
“Like other new technologies, AI offers incredible opportunities, but we also have the responsibility to use it thoughtfully,” said Maureen Lamb, chairman of the AI task force at Miss Porter's School. “As adoption increases in education, clear guidelines need to be used to reduce risk and unlock the full potential of AI. Everyone, educators and parents play a role in understanding not only how to use AI, but when and why it should be used.”
Digital learning requires growth, but the stock gap lasts
Just as AI has become a staple in education, the survey findings also found that digital learning is becoming more popular, with 64% of respondents saying they are equal or greater than digital learning methods, particularly teachers (71%).
Respondents showed that flexibility (56%), personalized learning (53%), and accessibility (49%) were the most beneficial aspects of digital learning. And with 77% of students at the expense of losing sleep, personal time, and missed extracurricular activities through homework, digital learning offers a promising path to a kinder approach.
While most respondents agreed on the importance and benefits of digital learning, the results pointed to disparities in access to these tools. Despite almost half of respondents (49%) agreeing that all students in the community have equal access to learning materials, technology, and support for academic success, that percentage drops to 43% of respondents diagnosed or self-identified differences in learning, neurological traits, or accessibility needs.
Maximize academic and real-world learning success
While the discussion on AI and education focuses primarily on use cases for academic learning, this report uncovered greater opportunities for support to promote success beyond the classroom and provide the resources needed for practical learning.
Almost 60% of respondents believe that a four-year university degree is extremely important for achieving professional success (58%). However, more than a third of the students, teachers and parents surveyed believe that the school is not fully prepared for success beyond the classroom.
“When we drive the next era of AI-driven learning, it is our mission to give all students and lifelong learners the tools and confidence to succeed, regardless of their motivation or striving to achieve,” says Beidler. “As we saw in the data, when it comes to career-connected learning, there is a great opportunity to deal with what you're hearing from students and teachers, far beyond the classroom, from developing life skills to improving work preparation.”
The top five skills respondents need to prioritize in schools are critical thinking and problem solving (66%), financial literacy (64%), mental health management (58%), leadership skills (52%), and creativity and innovation (50%).
This press release originally appeared online.
Eschool Media Staff covers educational technology in everything from law and litigation to best practices, lessons learned and new products. Published in March 1998 as a monthly printed and digital newspaper, Eschool Media provides the news and information needed for K-20 decision makers to use technology and innovation to transform schools and universities and achieve educational goals.
