A recent study by Intelligent.com (an education planning platform) revealed a growing preference among high school and college students for using ChatGPT — the popular artificial intelligence chatbot — over human tutors. The study surveyed 3,017 students aged 16-24 and 3,234 parents of younger students, shedding light on their study habits.
While only a tiny percentage of students (10%) and parents (15%) reported utilizing both ChatGPT and a tutor, a staggering 9 out of 10 preferred the AI tool; furthermore, 95% of respondents claimed that their grades had improved since incorporating ChatGPT into their study routine.
Incorporating ChatGPT into the study routine seems to have helped students raise their grades.
The study identified math and science as the subjects where ChatGPT proved most beneficial — however, it is crucial for students to possess sufficient background knowledge to prompt ChatGPT appropriately. Diane Gayeski, from Intelligent.com, explained that the AI’s ability to provide clear and concise answers to technical and complex problems played a significant role in its effectiveness.
College junior Johnson Adegoke (who currently uses ChatGPT) expressed appreciation for the tool’s availability and convenience; he praised its 24/7 accessibility, immediate response to questions, and the ability to study at one’s own pace and review information as needed. While acknowledging that human tutors offer a unique experience, the student valued the accessibility and flexibility provided by ChatGPT.
Some students still prefer “the human touch”
Students and parents also highlighted ChatGPT’s capacity to swiftly identify mistakes and provide a relaxed and efficient learning environment, even so, a minority of respondents preferred the human touch, citing face-to-face communication, a more stimulating atmosphere, and interactive engagement.
The study found that 39% of high school and college students had replaced tutoring sessions with ChatGPT, and 30% of parents had done the same for their children.
Despite these findings, experts generally advocate for using ChatGPT as a complementary tool alongside human tutors. Tutors offer additional benefits, such as structuring study time, providing motivation, diagnosing learning obstacles, and tailoring explanations and practice accordingly.
The study highlights the growing trend of students and parents opting for ChatGPT as a valuable tool for academic support — while it may not completely replace human tutors, its accessibility, efficiency, and ability to tackle technical subjects make it a highly favored option in the education landscape. Would you trust in ChatGPT to tutor your son or daughter? Tell us in the comment section!
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