Using AI in education has become increasingly popular, frustrating teachers and parents alike. But why have students been so dependent on AI? Ever since I could remember, I have been told that I need to get good grades in order to succeed in life, and many others have similar experiences with the pressure put on them by parents and teachers—being told that grades matter above all else. Being told this, students are in a constant state of worry, seeing their grades as something that defines them and that it holds a successful future—its a lot of weight.
Don’t get me wrong I am not at all defending the use of AI, rather, voicing reason behind the use in education and also slightly insulting the grading system. Using AI to do your work for a class or think for yourself is extremely hurtful to your brain development and critical thinking. AI gives you a solution to your problem extremely fast and it’s really easy just to type in your problem or question, but when you’re given the solution right away, your brain isn’t thinking for itself—the problem-solving part of your brain isn’t being exercised. The same thing is in effect when you google something; the difference is that AI takes it a step further by analyzing the answer so you don’t have to think for yourself at all.
As a student myself I see most, if not all, assignments as a grade, not as a learning opportunity and most students would say the same. The pressure of grades gets to you especially when it holds the future of your life and students found an easy, although harmful, easy way out. When it comes to required classes, I don’t see them as a class where I’m going to learn, I see it as something I just have to ‘get over with’.
A student at Mead said, “At this point, my GPA matters more than really learning,” when asked about the reason behind using AI for their school work, adding, “definitely way more because I feel like there’s more pressure on me to pass [because] it’s required” when asked about using AI for required classes, specifically.
The mix of hormonal changes, high school drama, having to plan your future before your frontal lobe develops, with the looming shadow of your GPA on top of it causes a lot of stress on teenagers. Having to stay up to do hours of homework, taking away hours that could go to rest or decompressing, you’re devoted to school with little to no free time. Teens see an easy way out: AI. Worrying about exams, homework, and grades is a heavy weight which can cause a mix of feelings like anxiety and depression. When presented with a tool that can ease the life that is high school, students take advantage of it. Anything to ease the heavy burden of school.
Students aren’t the only ones feeling pressure about grades: teachers are also affected by their students’ grades. Teachers want their students to succeed as well as wanting their school to stay funded. In some school districts, the school funds are affected by the grade level the students are at. The higher the performance level, the higher the funding.
School should be a place where we actually worry about learning the information, not about the grade. The fact that students feel the need to turn to AI is sad. This shouldn’t be reality. Having to depend on AI for work you don’t want to do is unhealthy; although, you don’t want to do it, doing it anyway grows your problem solving skills and strengthens the creative part of your brain.
If you feel pressure and anxiety because you’re worried about your grades or GPA, reach out to someone for help. Whether it’s a teacher, friend, or a parent, you will notice a difference in your mindset after cutting AI out of your life.
