The Impact of AI on Education
Many teachers are leaving their jobs, citing the rise of artificial intelligence as a significant factor harming childhood education. One teacher, Hannah Maria, who teaches 10th-grade English, expresses this concern strongly.
“Technology is definitely contributing to the decline in literacy we see in the country right now,” she stated before announcing her decision to exit the profession. While her TikTok account is private, some of her thoughts have gained traction online.
Describing herself as “old generation Z,” Maria has noticed that students, both in middle and high school, are now issued iPads at the start of each grade.
However, she argues these AI-laden devices have become more like crutches than tools for education.
“A lot of these kids can’t really read because they can just click a button to have text read to them,” she noted. “Their attention spans are shrinking. Everything is so stimulating; they can just scroll away in under a minute. It’s hard for them to sit still for any length of time,” she added.
Her observations align with alarming national trends.
Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress have revealed the lowest reading comprehension levels in 32 years among young people. The study indicated that over a third of American students struggle to demonstrate basic reading skills.
Research from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute also highlighted that students aged 13 to 18 spend over six hours a day on their devices during school instead of concentrating on their studies.
Maria notes that the burnout she felt while teaching those heavily reliant on AI was a major factor in her decision to resign. She argues that children today are indifferent to learning because they rely too much on AI for their schoolwork.
Rather than providing iPads, Maria suggests that the district should revert to using textbooks and workbooks.
She believes her departure is also linked to a lack of response from education authorities.
“Look at the test scores and statistics about literacy when students haven’t used technology,” she implored the decision-makers, mentioning how her students react negatively when asked to write even a few paragraphs by hand.
Instead of using traditional tools, many students now turn to ChatGPT for simple assignments.
Maria is concerned that their obsession with this technology is removing their interest in foundational educational skills. “These kids don’t care,” she lamented, expressing frustration over their lack of engagement in reading and other subjects. She fears this dependence on technology leads them to neglect their potential to make a difference in the world.
“They don’t seem to care about important things, like writing a resume or cover letter, since they know AI can do it for them,” she said.
Maria advocates for banning AI and smart devices for students until they’re in college. “We’re in a place where we really don’t have faith in many of my students,” she shared, calling on leaders to reconsider the educational system.
She concluded by urging a return to traditional methods: “Using our budgets for textbooks and workbooks is essential. We must start removing technology and focus on what truly works.”
Maria strongly believes that technology should be limited for younger students, perhaps until they reach college age.
