While AI might be all the rage in Australian classrooms, China’s Ministry of Education has just announced a ban on primary school students from independently using artificial intelligence tools to complete their homework, stressing that AI should serve only as a supportive tool in education.
Indeed, the potential negative impacts of AI are not lost on Australian education bureaucrats either, with the Federal Government convening panels to ensure this technology is used safely and responsibly in classrooms.
However, Michael Black, founder and CEO of Success Tutoring, says limiting AI tools in schools is “a reactionary measure” that overlooks the core issue: ensuring students truly understand the material.
“Instead of banning technology, we should focus on increasing use of AI among students and also implementing more regular, structured assessments that accurately gauge student comprehension,” Black said.
“Given the development of AI, it is nearly impossible to determine what has been developed using the technology. AI is advancing at such a fast rate that students are able to create personalised and tailored content.”
The only way to gauge a student’s real ability is to undertake increased testing in a classroom environment, Black points out.
“AI should be taught in schools. Students need to know how to use it as it will be commonplace by the time they enter the workforce, if not sooner,” he said. “They need to understand how to harness and benefit from it.”
Black says that AI, much like calculators in the past, should be integrated thoughtfully into the learning process. He suggested that consistent low-stakes testing can help educators identify learning gaps early, support students who are struggling and reduce overreliance on AI tools.
“Frequent assessments don’t have to be high-pressure,” he said. “They should be consistent and designed to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ensuring that students can apply knowledge independently.”
Black also points out that AI is an integral part of the modern workplace and students should be taught how to use it responsibly.
“Education should evolve with technological advancements. By teaching students how to use AI ethically and effectively, we prepare them for real-world applications” he said. “The increased frequency of testing will ensure that despite their use of AI, that there is a good understanding of their academic progress.”
Black added that the testing can then be used to determine what type of learning support is needed.
“At Success Tutoring, our unique testing provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of a student’s learning progress so that we can tailor a tutoring program to improve their academic results.”