Technological breakthroughs have been integrated into many secondary schools. Although this integration can pose a risk of students being overdependent, I believe that the advantages of fostering children’s problem-solving skills outweigh the disadvantages.
Integrating technology into schools can be academically beneficial. Since traditional classrooms usually have only one teacher and limited class time, it is often difficult for them to support every student individually. However, technological devices, especially artificial intelligence, can provide personalized guidance that is suitable for each student, making their learning easier. Students can now ask ChatGPT or other AI platforms how to solve a difficult math problem when their teachers are unavailable. As a result, they can make progress in their studies, enhancing their academic performance.
While the use of technology can academically benefit students, it can also lead to overdependence. Owing to a lack of awareness, many children tend to rely on answers generated by AI and other digital tools, neglecting the importance of developing a deeper understanding of how problems are solved. Some secondary school students now take advantage of AI to do their homework without reading or even thinking carefully about it. This, in the long run, can backfire on the aforementioned benefit, rendering students less academically successful.
However, this key disadvantage can often be mitigated. Supervision from teachers and parents is essential because, with their guidance, students may understand how to use AI for their learning more properly. More importantly, the benefit of providing personalized guidance can be useful for nearly every student, while the threat of overreliance on technology can only be seen in certain situations where students do not receive enough attention from parents and their teachers.
In conclusion, integrating AI into educational settings can result in overdependence by students due to the lack of awareness and improper use. However, I contend that the benefit to their academic success that it offers means that the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.