AI is here to stay, but the impact that it will have on student learning is only beginning. Students are already turning to LLM and AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini to help them complete schoolwork, work on assignments, and dig up ideas for essays.
This shift toward tech has benefits, but it also has risks for how students build thinking and learning skills.
Is AI Better Than Textbooks?
Not necessarily. AI is far more interactive, which can influence how students learn.
Textbooks are synonymous with school and learning. A must have in every student backpack, textbooks were the go-to resource for school learning. Students referred to them in class, when completing assignments, and when writing essays. Then the internet became a resource for student learning, with interactive multimedia resources available at the click of a mouse.
Now, in the age of AI, students can
- Summarize chapters in seconds
- Solve math problems instantly
- Suggest essay outlines, thesis points, and provide text
Balancing Online and Offline
While AI learninf tools can save time, when students use them, they bypass the reasoning process that helps them retain information. When students don’t enegage the parts of the brain used while learning, it weakens the ability to retain information. Several studies have even shown cognitive decline in students who heavily rely on MML/AI.
Read more about how AI Learning impacts the brain here.
At GradePower Learning, wour programs focus on rebuilding thae natural learning process, guiding students through problems using the power of their minds, so they understand why an answer is correct, not just what the answer is.
Is Having AI in the Classroom Good for Teachers?
The answer is both yes and no. While AI in the classroom can help students access information quickly, teachers need to adjust their strategies to ensure grades reflect genuine work and learning.
Common changes that teachers have made include:
- AI detection tools to flag potential misuse
- In-class assignments that require step-by-step work
- Open-ended questions that can’t be solved with a quick AI answer
- Oral explanations where students defend their reasoning
The shift shows that education is moving toward assessing process over product. That’s why tutoring is vital in helping students master the process that schools now prioritize.
Is it Ethical to Use AI for Schoolwork?
Yes and no, depending on how students use it.
Positive: AI can be a legitimate help if students use it for clarification, brainstorming, or practicing skills.
Negative: Submitting AI-generated work is considered plagiarism. AI tools are known for mass plagiarism and providing improper sources for the information they provide.
Risks of overreliance on AI in learning include:
- Loss of independent thinking skills
- Weaker problem-solving abilities
- Reduced long-term memory retention
- Poor preparation for exams and higher education, where AI use may be restricted
Students learn best when they build knowledge themselves. AI should never be a substitute for effort, practice, and critical thinking.
Is Tutoring More Important in the AI Era?
Simply put, yes. That’s because no technology can replace the value of human connection, guidance, and personalized teaching.
Tutors can:
- Break down concepts in ways AI can’t fully personalize
- Encourage persistence through challenging problems
- Identify learning gaps that a computer program might miss
- Hold students accountable for doing their own work
In today’s learning environment, tutoring isn’t just about improving grades. It’s about protecting the integrity of a student’s education.
AI vs. Textbook in a Nutshell
- AI tools like ChatGPT offer speed but risk undermining deeper learning skills.
- Teachers are adapting assignments to test real understanding.
- Ethical concerns make overreliance risky for students.
- Tutoring builds skills, confidence, and independence that no AI can replace.
Want to learn more about how tutoring can benefit your child? Contact a location near you to see how tutoring can positively impact your child’s life.
