How Does AI Change the Education Landscape?
If it seems like Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, that’s because it is. It’s changing how we work, but it’s also transforming schools - reshaping the way students learn, how teachers teach, and even how assessments are completed.
From personalised learning experiences to automated grading systems, AI has introduced both opportunities and challenges in schools. But how is it impacting students, and is it leaving them better or worse off academically?
The Impact of AI on Learning
One of the most notable changes AI has brought to schools is the ability for teachers to better tailor learning experiences to individual student needs without a lot of extra time and effort lesson planning. This means that a child struggling with a specific concept in maths can receive targeted exercises while another who excels in English can be challenged with more advanced lessons.
More and more Australian schools and tutoring centres are incorporating AI-powered platforms to help students learn at their own pace. This has been especially beneficial for students who need additional support.
Another key change has been learning that goes beyond the walls of the classroom. Platforms like ChatGPT, Google’s Socratic, and other AI-based learning assistants allow students to ask questions and receive explanations in real time. With AI, students no longer have to wait for a teacher or parent to help them with their homework.
How AI Has Changed How Students Complete Work
While AI has made learning more accessible, it has also significantly changed how students complete assignments and assessments. AI-powered tools are now capable of generating essays, solving complex maths problems, and even summarising lengthy texts. For example:
AI-based writing assistants can help students improve their grammar, sentence structure, and overall writing quality
AI-driven research tools can quickly summarise articles, generate bibliographies, and help students find relevant information.
AI-powered platforms allow students to input maths equations and receive step-by-step solutions, making problem-solving more accessible.
However, AI can be a double-edged sword. While it can help students, it can also stop them from learning these important skills themselves.
The Risk of Over-Reliance On AI
Where we need to be careful is that some students may use AI-generated content without fully engaging with their studies, which leaves them with significant skill gaps.
Some of the biggest AI risks and concerns are:
Students become dependent on AI tools, reducing their ability to think critically and problem-solve independently.
Plagiarism risks, leading to challenges in assessing a student’s true capabilities.
Overuse of AI in education may diminish essential skills such as handwriting, mental arithmetic, and independent research.
While AI platforms are growing bigger and better, they are not always accurate.
Some Australian schools are introducing stricter guidelines on AI usage to try and combat over-reliance, including using AI-detection tools like Turnitin to identify work that lacks originality. But ultimately, schools can’t do it all on their own.
How Tutoring Can Benefit Students in an AI-Powered Education System
While AI offers numerous advantages, human connection and personalised teaching remain incredibly important for academic success. Primary and high school tutoring plays an essential role in helping students navigate the changing education landscape, ensuring they receive a well-rounded education that balances AI-enhanced learning with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Personalised Human Interaction
Unlike AI, private tutoring can provide emotional support, adapt teaching styles based on a student’s reactions, and address specific concerns in a way that AI cannot.
Enhanced Critical Thinking
Tutors can encourage students to think critically rather than rely solely on AI-generated answers and guide them through reasoning processes, ensuring deeper comprehension.
100% Accuracy
While you can’t always trust the answers or solutions provided by AI, tutors are highly qualified educators that teach accurate information and can check students work with a high level of accurate, critical feedback.
Ethical AI Usage
Tutors can teach students how to use AI responsibly—helping them understand when AI can aid learning and when it should be avoided to maintain academic integrity.
Assessment Readiness
Students who rely on AI for completing coursework or assessments can be unprepared for the demands of exams. Personalised and specialised tutoring (like tutoring for private school entrance exams) can ensure that the results match the effort they’ve put in during the year.
Learning Alongside AI
We can’t stop AI from infiltrating or impacting schools and education, but we can ensure we’re aware of both the advantages and challenges it brings with it. While AI-powered tools can provide inspiration and guidance, learning and assessments still need to be completed by students.
For parents, the key lies in balancing AI-driven learning with traditional educational values. Engaging a tutor is a great way to encourage children to engage critically with their studies and foster problem-solving skills that they might otherwise miss out on. By combining the best aspects of AI with human guidance, we can create an education system that prepares students for the future while maintaining the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Little Geniuses offers general school tutoring as well as HSC tutoring and IB tutoring online, personalising sessions and taking a human-centred approach to learning that ensures students can succeed with and without AI. For more information, get in touch with our team.