As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more prevalent in education, many K-12 teachers remain uncertain about their overall impact. A Pew Research Center survey from fall 2023 reveals mixed feelings among educators. While some teachers embrace AI, a significant number express concerns or uncertainty about its use.
MIXED REACTIONS TO AI’S ROLE
A quarter of public K-12 teachers believe AI tools do more harm than good. Around 32% see both benefits and drawbacks, whereas only 6% feel AI does more good than harm. Additionally, 35% of teachers are unsure about AI’s impact in the classroom. High school teachers, in particular, are more sceptical than their counterparts in elementary and middle schools. Specifically, 35% of high school teachers think AI tools are more harmful, compared to 24% of middle school and 19% of elementary school teachers. Notably, less than 10% of teachers at all levels believe AI tools provide more benefits than drawbacks.
UNCERTAINTY AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
Elementary school teachers show the highest level of uncertainty, with 47% unsure about AI’s impact on education. This uncertainty surpasses that of middle and high school teachers, reflecting a broader hesitation in adopting new technologies at lower educational levels.
TEENS’ EXPERIENCES WITH CHATGPT
In a separate survey, Pew Research Center explored U.S. teens’ interactions with ChatGPT, a generative AI tool, and their opinions on its use in schoolwork. Among teens familiar with ChatGPT, 19% have used it for school-related tasks. This usage is more prevalent among older students, with 24% of 11th and 12th graders using ChatGPT, compared to 17% of 9th and 10th graders, and 12% of 7th and 8th graders.
Acceptable Uses of ChatGPT According to Teens
- Teens’ views on the acceptability of using ChatGPT vary based on the task:
- Researching New Topics: 69% of teens find it acceptable.
- Solving Math Problems: 39% consider it acceptable.
- Writing Essays: Only 20% believe it is acceptable.
There remains a significant portion of teens, ranging from 18% to 24%, who are unsure about the acceptability of using ChatGPT for these purposes.
AWARENESS OF CHATGPT AMONG TEENS
Overall, two-thirds of U.S. teens have heard of ChatGPT. This includes 23% who are very familiar with it and 44% who have some knowledge about it. About one-third (32%) of teens have not heard about ChatGPT at all.
RECAP: TEACHERS’ AND TEENS’ VIEWPOINTS ON AI IN EDUCATION
In summary, the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT in K-12 education generates mixed reactions among both teachers and students. Teachers’ opinions vary, with a notable portion expressing concerns about potential harms. Meanwhile, teens show varying levels of acceptance depending on the use case, with a majority supporting AI for research purposes but fewer endorsing it for completing assignments like math problems or essays. As AI continues to evolve, ongoing dialogue and evaluation will be essential to understand and harness its potential benefits while addressing any concerns.
