Hastings College student examines AI’s role in declining literacy rates

Here are six key points from Madi Holman’s presentation on AI and literacy rates at the Academic Showcase:

Declining Literacy Rates: Literacy rates have been steadily declining since 2013, with only a quarter of eighth-grade students meeting the recommended reading level, potentially due to increased technology use in classrooms.
Role of Technology in Classrooms: The use of technology, particularly AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, may take away from independent student research, leading to concerns about the quality and verification of information.
Teacher-Student Dynamics: Teachers welcome completed work but are frustrated when students over-rely on AI tools for assignments, which may contribute to a loss of critical thinking and effort from students.
Educational Disparities: Socioeconomic and racial factors can exacerbate education challenges, pushing students to over-rely on AI tools, which could hinder their development in critical thinking.
Technology’s Impact on Traditional Skills: Widespread use of digital tools has led some schools to reduce or eliminate traditional subjects like spelling instruction due to the prevalence of grammar and spell-check tools, impacting foundational skills.
The Role of AI in Education: Holman advocates for using AI as an assistive tool rather than a replacement, suggesting applications such as generating discussion points and creating study flashcards instead of finishing essays or providing test answers.