Since the first version of ChatGPT, many things have changed, including the way homework is prepared. Even though AI is helpful, parents should be careful with AI homework assistants, as they can do more harm than good. Caregivers must teach their children to use AI that can help with homework carefully and smartly. So, how can AI help with education? What should learners know about it before using it?
The Pros and Cons of AI Helpers
AI generative tools are popular not only among researchers but also among students. ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Ask AI Questions are the tools that analyze questions and quickly generate answers. These responses are tailored to user needs, which makes them powerful and highly personalized. However, they have their cons that parents should be aware of.
Advantages of an AI Homework Helper
Parents who implement tools like Ask AI Questions in their children’s education can expect many benefits:
- AI tools generate answers that can clarify many questions. They can break down complex things into smaller, manageable parts. Parents can teach kids to use phrases like “explain things like an elementary school student” to make each answer more comprehensible.
- 24/7 availability makes AI a perfect helper. Unlike human tutors, who work according to their schedules, AI works around the clock. Such AI help with homework is the best option for those who review or get stuck on something in the evening, or need to do the task early in the morning.
- AI can not only generate answers but also provide valuable study materials and practice exercises. It can prepare flashcards, quizzes, and assignments with similar problems. Kids can type in the answers, and AI assistants will check them and provide immediate feedback.
- Finally, it is a perfect source for research writing. Together with AI, students can brainstorm ideas, outline essays, receive stylistic feedback, check grammar, generate citations, and request links to fact-check sources for their research papers.
Generative AI tools can become helpful assistants for struggling students.
Cons of AI Homework Assistants
While AI tools are great, there are several drawbacks parents should be aware of.
- Hallucinations. Sometimes, AI can hallucinate, generating misleading or made-up information that has nothing to do with reality.
- Loss of motivation. When students know that someone can do the task instead of them, they lose their motivation.
- Poor critical thinking and cheating. Related to the previous issue, students can also stop thinking critically when using generative AI tools. Besides, when asking AI to write an essay or solve a problem, a student starts using AI for cheating, not as an assistant.
- Low-quality responses. When students lack the required skills to use AI tools effectively, they may receive unverified information or data from promoted sources that lack authenticity and credibility.
So, parents need to teach their kids to use AI smartly to combat these problems.
Effective Strategy for AI Use in Homework
There is a straightforward rule for parents to remember: “Never over-rely on AI”. For that, they should simply apply the following strategies to help keep their child safe:
- Prevent Cheating
The prompt should be written to help with studying, not to cheat. That is why a child should first try to do the task alone, and then ask the tool to check the homework or help to find the best solution. For that, the prompt should be, “I have tried to write an essay about my holidays, but I cannot find at least one idea about how to create a hook for the introduction”. In this case, AI will generate brainstorming ideas and suggestions rather than a complete essay response. In other words, it must help to fill the gap, not replace the student’s work.
- Ask for Hints, Not Answers
The best AI to help with homework must not replace the student’s work. So, they should be able to see the difference between good and bad prompts.
| Good Prompts | Bad Prompts |
| Give me hints on how to solve this math task. Where should I start? What to do next? | Solve this math task for me. |
| Provide a list of reputable sources on the “X” topic for my literature review. | Write my literature review on the “X” topic. |
| Check my essay plan and suggest some improvements. | Write my essay. |
- Ask to Explain Things
When reading sections in history or biology, many concepts can be complex to understand. So, students can ask the AI tool to explain things in detail. Parents who are willing to tell the child certain things may request that the AI provide the required information and suggest the most effective teaching method. Very often, textbooks are packed with complicated terminology, so AI explanations can be life-saving for students who have missed classes and need to catch up.
- Search for Age-Appropriate Tools
Parents should search for tools that meet a child’s age requirements. The little ones need a chat with some limitations. Little learners should not disclose their age, address, or contact information, among other personal details. Parents should educate their children on academic honesty and the need to avoid cheating. In addition, students have to think critically about every AI-generated answer and verify it against facts from credible sources.
Final Tip
Generative AI is a game-changer today. However, AI must be used responsibly. Students must learn to use it as a digital partner. Parents should explain the dangers of disinformation, hallucinations, and academic integrity. Besides, the answers may include words beyond the kid’s vocabulary, which can make the child’s work look suspicious.
