Ep 39 - Learning With AI, Not From It: A Guide for Students in the Digital Age

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Are students cheating with ChatGPT, or are they mastering a crucial skill for their future? Let's dive into this heated debate with clarity and practical guidance.

The rapid integration of AI tools in education has sparked enormous concern among parents and educators. But focusing solely on potential misuse blinds us to the remarkable learning opportunities these technologies offer when approached responsibly. Today's episode cuts through the noise to explore how students at any level can leverage AI to enhance their education without compromising their learning journey.

We explore the golden rule that both UK and US education departments emphasize: AI should support learning, not replace thinking. For writing assignments, discover the "draft first, AI second" approach that transforms AI from a plagiarism risk into a valuable writing coach. With math and science, learn how tools like Photomath can function as 24/7 tutors rather than homework shortcuts. We also address critical considerations around privacy, school policies, and the ethical dimensions of AI use.

Perhaps most importantly, we examine how these same principles extend beyond the classroom into professional environments. The students who master responsible AI use today are developing the exact skills employers will demand tomorrow. With AI literacy now declared a national priority through recent executive action, the message is clear: learning to work alongside AI isn't optional—it's becoming as fundamental as reading and mathematics.

Whether you're a student navigating these new tools, a parent guiding digital choices, or an educator designing future-ready assignments, this episode provides the framework you need. Share it with a student in your life and start a conversation today about how AI can enhance rather than shortcut their educational journey.

Want to join a community of AI learners and enthusiasts? AI Ready RVA is leading the conversation and is rapidly rising as a hub for AI in the Richmond Region. Become a member and support our AI literacy initiatives.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to Inspire AI, the podcast where we
explore how technology isreshaping our world and how we
can reshape ourselves to thrivein it.
I'm your host, jason McGinty,in today's episode of Inspire AI
.
We're geared enough to go backto school, and so a topic on

(00:23):
every parent's, teacher's andstudent's mind is AI in
education.
Because, let's be honest, whenstudents start using tools like
ChatGPT or Photomath, the firstquestion people ask isn't is
this helping them learn?
Rather, it's are they justcheating with it?
So today we're cutting throughthe noise.

(00:45):
We're going to explore thesmart, responsible and
future-ready ways that students,whether in elementary school,
high school or college, can useAI to enhance their learning,
not replace it.
So let's get started.
Ai is everywhere now,especially in schools.
From writing essays to solvingequations, to explaining

(01:09):
photosynthesis, ai tools arestarting to show up in both the
classroom and the homework time.
But there's a golden rule weall need to keep in mind AI is a
tool, not a replacement foryour teacher, not a shortcut,
and definitely should not beused to substitute thinking.

(01:30):
Educators in both US and UK aremaking that crystal clear.
In fact, the UK's Department ofEducation recently said AI must
always remain teacher-led.
Recently said AI must alwaysremain teacher-led.
That means AI should supportwhat the student is doing and

(01:50):
not do it for them.
Same in the US, the Departmentof Education has called for
critical, responsible use of AI.
That means students should belearning with AI, not just
copying from it.
When people get learning with AI, not just copying from it.
When people get started with AI, they recognize it as a great

(02:14):
tool for writing.
It should be used as a tool forbrainstorming, not plagiarizing
.
Ai tools like ChatGPT orGrammarly can help students come
up with ideas, fix grammar andeven clarify their arguments.
That's awesome.
In fact, it's like having awriting coach on standby when we
use these tools.
We should use AI to brainstormideas.

(02:34):
We should use it to getfeedback on a rough draft.
We should even use it totighten up our sloppy sentences.
On the flip side, we should notbe using it to write our entire
paper.
We should not be using it tosubmit a paragraph we didn't
understand, and we should not beusing it in those shadow cases

(02:57):
where our teachers did notprovide us permission.
So what do we take away here?
How about a new habit?
Draft first, ai second.
That's how students actuallygrow.
All right, moving on, let'stalk numbers.
Tools like Photomath, wolfram,microsoft Math Solver are

(03:21):
blowing students' minds withstep-by-step explanations and
instant solutions.
And guess what?
That's not cheating if you'reusing them right.
Here's the recommendation Solvethe problem yourself first,
then use AI to check your stepsand, when in doubt, ask the AI

(03:41):
why it solved it in a certainway.
This is like having a tutor inyour back pocket.
But don't abuse the tutor.
Same goes for science.
Ai can break down complexconcepts like DNA replication or
Newton's laws.
It can quiz you before a test,it can simulate an experiment,

(04:03):
but it's your brain that has toconnect the dots.
Again, think of AI like a tutor, not a magic wand.
All right, let's step outsidethe classroom for a minute,
where AI gives students accessto 24-7 study support.
You could say students can sayhelp me understand this

(04:24):
chemistry formula, give me fivepractice problems on solving
quadratics, or even act like adebate opponent and challenge my
essay.
These are incredible use casesand they certainly build
independence.
But here's the test when yousubmit your work, would you feel
good telling your teacherexactly how you used AI?

(04:46):
If yes, great job.
If no, it's probably a misuse.
I want to also make sure wetalk about safety, privacy and
policies.
So here's a few crucialreminders Don't share personal
info with AI tools no names, noschool details, no sensitive

(05:09):
information about yourself.
Always follow the school'spolicy.
If the assignment says no AI,don't risk it.
And, of course, fact check youranswers.
Ai is helpful but not perfect.
You do not want to submitsomething that you didn't
understand and it certainlywasn't correct.

(05:30):
You didn't understand and itcertainly wasn't correct.
And remember teachers can tellwhen something sounds too
polished or off-topic.
Using AI to shortcut your workisn't just unethical, it's a
missed opportunity to think, foryourself, to grow.
You know, as I roll throughthese principles, these concepts

(05:52):
, I know for a fact that theseideas also should be encouraged
in the workplace.
So before we wrap up, I want tozoom out for a moment From
classroom to conference room.
I think about these principlesand how they apply to work too,
because everything we justcovered about AI responsibility

(06:15):
as a student it also applies asmuch in the workplace.
Think about it.
Ai should support your thinking, not replace it.
Whether you're writing a clientproposal, crunching numbers or
researching a new market, ai canspeed up your workflow, but
your judgment, context andcreativity still matter most.

(06:39):
Transparency is key, just likestudents need to disclose how
they use AI in schoolwork,professionals should be open to
using AI in reports, coding orcontent creation, especially
when accuracy and trust are onthe line.
Privacy and security alsomatter in both school and work.

(07:03):
You should never pastesensitive information into
public AI tools Names, customerdata, company strategies keep
those protected.
And finally, ai is a partnerthose protected.
And finally, ai is a partner,not a pass.
Whether you're a 10th grader ora team lead, the goal is the

(07:24):
same Grow your skills, sharpenyour thinking and use AI to
accelerate, not avoid, the hardwork.
So if you're teaching theseprinciples to students now,
congrats.
You're also preparing them tobe thoughtful, ethical,
future-ready professionals.
And here's the truth Studentswho learn how to use AI

(07:48):
responsibly are going to have aserious edge.
They'll write better, they'llsolve faster, they'll understand
deeper, not because AI is doingthe work for them, but because
they're learning how to partnerwith it, and that's what
future-proofing is all about.
So, whether you're a studentlistening in, or a parent or an

(08:11):
educator, help foster AIliteracy, not AI dependency.
We all must work to raise ageneration of learners who are
curious, ethical and ready forthe world ahead and speaking of
future ready.
Just this year, the US federalgovernment made AI literacy a

(08:34):
national priority AI literacy innational priority.
A new executive order ispushing for AI education across
all K-12 schools, calling forteacher training, student
apprenticeships and AIcurriculum integration.
Why?
Because leaders like AlexKotran from Columbia University

(08:57):
are sounding the alarm Quote.
Ai literacy is no longeroptional.
It's a must-have skill, rightup there with reading and math.
So what does that mean forstudents?
It means that learning to useAI responsibly, ethically and
skillfully is no longer a sidequest.

(09:19):
It's becoming part of what itmeans to be educated in 2025 and
beyond.
And the great news, if you'relistening to this podcast,
you're already taking the firststeps.
So thanks for joining me onInspire AI.
If you found this episodeuseful, share it with a student

(09:41):
or, better yet, talk about itwith one.
Ask them how they use AI, whatexcites them and where they
could use additional support.
And stay tuned.
We've got more future-readyconversations coming your way.
Got more future readyconversations coming your way.
Until next time, stay curious,stay responsible and keep

(10:05):
building a better tomorrow.