Key points:
- More students report AI is helping them get better grades and study more efficiently
- Teachers: It’s time to make friends with AI
- How universities ethically leverage AI
- For more news on AI use, visit eCN’s AI in Education hub
U.S. college students have an increasingly positive perception of AI and are applying it to study more actively and efficiently, while educators see new opportunities to enhance instruction, according to new insights from Pearson.
In partnership with Morning Consult, Pearson’s 2024 End of Year AI Report for Higher Education surveyed U.S. college students to track their evolving use and perception of AI. The survey of more than 1,000 students shows an 11-percentage-point increase in students reporting that AI has helped them get better grades and study more efficiently.
Pearson user data shows AI tools promote active and efficient studying
This fall, Pearson learning science researchers analyzed student study behavior in eTextbooks with embedded AI study tools from fall ’23 through spring ’24. The analysis showed many students advancing from passive to active study, which fosters better retention of information and is associated with a deeper understanding of concepts. Active study behaviors include notetaking, self-testing, and spaced practice, rather than behaviors like memorization and cramming, which are characteristic of passive studying.
Key insights from the fall 2024 usage trends include:
- More active studying: Students using AI study tools were 4x as likely to remain or become active, efficient studiers compared to those who did not use the AI study tools.
- Advanced learning: Thirty-eight percent of student inputs to the AI explain study tool in Campbell Biology show students engaging at a higher level of cognitive complexity, such as applying, analyzing or evaluating information.
- Higher-order and critical thinking: Twenty-five percent of student inputs to the AI explain study tool in Campbell Biology specifically involved analysis or evaluation associated with critical thinking skills.
In addition, Pearson usage data shows students who used AI-generated flashcards in their eTextbook were nearly three times more likely to return and practice than students without AI-generated flashcards, indicating high engagement.
“This data underscores the importance of active learning, and the role AI can play in enhancing student engagement,” said Emily Lai, vice president of learning impact measurement. “We employ learning science principles to create features that promote active learning to help students succeed and develop skills for their academic and professional lives. We are excited to see AI making quality learning easier for today’s busy students.”
Faculty see opportunity for AI implementation
Higher education faculty are increasingly seeing the potential of AI in the classroom. According to a Pearson survey conducted with Intertwine Insights, 77 percent of nearly 3,500 U.S. faculty members envision using AI to enhance their teaching methods.
Top ways faculty are interested in using AI:
- Generating additional examples and sourcing materials to enrich lessons (41 percent)
- Providing AI-based tutoring services to assist students with challenging concepts (40 percent)
- Developing instructional content to make lesson planning more efficient (39 percent)
- Creating AI-generated study tools such as outlines, flashcards, practice tests and study guides (35 percent)
This growing interest in AI by faculty complements the positive student data, highlighting a broader trend of AI integration in education.
This press release originally appeared online.
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