It's possible to preserve homework's value in a new technological era, experts say.
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is on the verge of transforming education, and homework will be no exception, with some even ringing its death knell. But experts say that's premature, as it's more likely to transform how homework works for education.
That transformation will likely include a shift to homework practices that encourage deeper engagement and application of knowledge rather than mere retrieval, according to Lynn Gribble, Associate Professor in the School of Management and Governance at UNSW Business School. She says GenAI is an opportunity to repurpose homework as a more efficient vehicle for preparing students for a technologically advancing world.
"We need to move from asking students just to look something up or write something to getting them to do something with what they know," she says. "We need to understand at the core of a discipline or practice what it is to be able to do that well."
Risks and guardrails
The integration of GenAI into education comes with substantial risks and represents a paradigm shift that requires careful consideration and adaptation. Recognising this, the federal government recently released a report, following a parliamentary inquiry, with 25 recommendations for managing GenAI's risks and opportunities, including making the use of GenAI in education a national priority, taking steps to ensure equal access and integrating AI literacy in school curricula.
According to Jihyun Lee, a Professor in the School of Education at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, GenAI can be an "excellent assistant" for those willing and able to use it. But it's already creating challenges for educators, particularly in these early days as the technology develops.
"Thus far, with the uncertainty and less-than-perfect AI performances, the workload of teaching professionals to address the AI impact has increased," she says.
"For example, many educators have reverted to in-person, paper-and-pencil tests in the classroom. I am not sure if AI can handle routine tasks accurately without close human supervision," she says. "Researchers have also shown that AI increases intimidation and cognitive load for lower-ability students, and thus GenAI in the current form is not useful for every student."
Introducing this technology into classrooms, and particularly homework practices, comes with other substantial risks, including significant access and data bias concerns. And from a learning standpoint, if students rely solely on AI for answers, they might miss out on critical thinking and research skills, the experts say.
"Generative AI is designed to give you something that's plausible, it's never been designed to be truthful or accurate," A.Prof. Gribble says.
Citing GenAI's risks and the early stage of its development, the parliamentary report recommended the government "create safeguards for all users, especially minors, monitor current pilot programs and evaluate the different approaches to using GenAI education tools in schools, including as a study buddy".
