AI can be helpful by testing students regarding their understanding of course material.

Learning may be impaired when use of AI eliminates the need to wrestle with an academic topic.

Use of AI can lead to missed learning opportunities.

The conclusion of this blog post is so important for students that I want to start with it:

If you are learning something that makes you think, using AI to avoid thinking is a misuse. AI use is appropriate when it prompts you to think more or to help you accomplish “busy work,” which requires little thinking.

In light of this statement, helpful uses of AI in education include:

Having an AI test students regarding their understanding of course material, which they might upload into an AI. This could include the “busy work” of preparing flash cards for use in studying the material.

An AI giving additional practice problems when students do not answer questions correctly.

Asking students to explain concepts they have learned to an AI, and only allowing AI feedback once students have provided their full explanation.

Performing literature searches, while ensuring that students verify information provided by an AI through review of primary sources.

Providing feedback regarding completed essay drafts or solved problems uploaded by students (but not rewriting the material or solving the problems).

Adapting the content and pacing presented educational content based on students’ level of knowledge and ability (Kestin et al., 2025).

Students may suffer when their use of AI reduces or eliminates their need to wrestle with a problem. This impairs learning, because:

They will fail to master the required subject matter. Effective education occurs when students struggle with a concept as part of the learning process (Dunlosky et al., 2013).

They will be unable to easily use that subject matter as a basis for future learning and understanding. For instance, their future creativity and innovation may be hampered because of an inability to access a broad base of knowledge and understanding in their........

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