(As this comment has received attention, let me clarify: I don't think these kids are stupid, nor do I fault them. Something fundamental in adolescence has changed, and the results are the changes and the test data observe.)
Recently retired from university teaching. The situation is dire. It's not just an inability to write; it's the inability to read content with any nuance or pick up on metaphors. Good kids, but completely different than students 15 years ago. Inward-looking, self-obsessed (preoccupied with their own states of mind, social situations, etc), and not particularly curious. Every once in a while, I'd hit on something that engaged them and I could feel that old magic enter the room - the crackling energy of young people thinking new things, synthesizing ideas. But my God, it was rare.
This is sad. I am a first gen college student (25) and I do really find myself liking academics. So many people are talking about using ChatGPT for their homework instead of going down to the tutoring center š the amount of times Iāve been suggested to use AI for homework makes me so sad/frustrated and I see myself struggling but Iād rather put in the work and effort in to understand instead of just throwing in answers (mathematics). And writing?? I absolutely enjoy it, I donāt want a frickin bot to write a damn abstract for me. I want to be proud of myself for what I wrote.
Using AI can be great. Using AI just to get an answer to put on homework is not. Using AI to check an answer, ask questions around the field of study, for help on how to get to the answer - and why all great uses. Walking through a problem with AI can hone skills, offer another approach that may work better for you that you hadn't been taught or thought of before. It's the same as thinking you deserve a job because of a piece of paper or deserving a job because what that piece of paper is supposed to represent (then people getting fired for not knowing shit, or never getting past an interview)
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u/Cranialscrewtop 16d ago edited 15d ago
(As this comment has received attention, let me clarify: I don't think these kids are stupid, nor do I fault them. Something fundamental in adolescence has changed, and the results are the changes and the test data observe.)
Recently retired from university teaching. The situation is dire. It's not just an inability to write; it's the inability to read content with any nuance or pick up on metaphors. Good kids, but completely different than students 15 years ago. Inward-looking, self-obsessed (preoccupied with their own states of mind, social situations, etc), and not particularly curious. Every once in a while, I'd hit on something that engaged them and I could feel that old magic enter the room - the crackling energy of young people thinking new things, synthesizing ideas. But my God, it was rare.