While the underlying models like GPT-4 are more expensive to create than an intelligent tutoring system, they can span a wide range of domains of knowledge (from psychology to music history to computer programming to Spanish) once trained. They can also be “programmed” to mimic the interaction patterns of highly effective tutors in a number of ways, including lightweight techniques like prompt engineering and more resource-intensive techniques like fine-tuning.
Humans and computers as tutors
Computer-based tutors have a number of benefits when compared to human tutors. Computer-based tutors are available at any hour, day or night (or early morning). They never run out of patience. They don’t judge you when you don’t understand. The same tutor can work with you across several of your classes. And computer-based tutors are already significantly more affordable than a human tutor–a one-month subscription to ChatGPT ($20) costs less than a one-hour session with a typical human tutor.
Of course, human tutors have a number of benefits when compared to computer-based tutors, which we shouldn’t forget. Human tutors can build relationships of care and trust with students. Their encouragement is more real and meaningful. (It’s unclear how much of the 2 sigma effect that Bloom describes is attributable to this interpersonal aspect of the tutoring relationship – future research will help us unpack this further.) Finally, human tutors may know about local student services that fall outside of the traditional academic scope, such as a food pantry, which computer-based tutors don’t know about.
Human tutors and computer-based tutors share some strengths and some shortcomings. For example, both can be trained to use highly effective tutoring techniques when interacting with learners. On the other hand, both humans and large language models are prone to mistakes. Both will sometimes get things wrong, albeit for different reasons. And both can bring hidden biases into their conversations with learners.
Only time and careful empirical research will reveal whether or not LLMs will provide a foundation educators can build on to help all learners reach their potential. But the future looks incredibly exciting.
Related: AI: The emerging guru in the soft skills department
Dr. David Wiley is co-founder and chief academic officer of Lumen Learning, a company dedicated to increasing student success, reinvigorating pedagogy, and improving the affordability of education using a combination of open educational resources, learning analytics, continuous improvement, and professional development.
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