Karen Brewer, a concerned mother, recently shared her experience with AI-assisted writing and its potential benefits for students with learning disabilities. Her high school senior son, who struggled with writing due to his learning disability, used ChatGPT, an AI-powered text generator, to write an essay that he opted to submit for an assignment. Although Karen was initially conflicted about her son using AI to write the essay, she eventually decided to let him submit it, and he received a score of 80.
Karen stresses the importance of using technology to support students with learning disabilities. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, one in five students has a learning disability, and they often struggle with reading, writing, and math. For these students, writing an essay can be a daunting task, and AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT can help them overcome these challenges.
Karen’s son’s experience with ChatGPT was life-changing. He was often frustrated with writing and would often avoid writing assignments. However, with ChatGPT, he was able to write an essay in a matter of minutes, which would have taken him hours to complete. He could focus more on editing and revising the text generated by ChatGPT to fit the assignment’s requirements. This gave him more confidence in his writing abilities and helped him to achieve better grades.
Furthermore, AI can provide students with personalized feedback and suggestions for improvement. For example, AI-powered writing tools can analyze a student’s writing style and provide suggestions for grammar, syntax, and word choice. This type of feedback can be invaluable for students with learning disabilities who may struggle with these areas.
However, some educators may view AI-powered writing tools as a form of cheating, and it’s essential to address this concern. While it’s true that AI can generate text quickly and efficiently, it’s up to the student to decide how to use that text. In Karen’s case, her son used the text generated by ChatGPT as a starting point and then edited and revised it to fit the assignment’s requirements.
In conclusion, Karen’s story offers a valuable perspective on the role of AI in education, particularly for students with learning disabilities. As AI technology continues to progress, it’s crucial to have honest and open discussions about its benefits and potential drawbacks. Ultimately, AI-powered writing tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize education by providing students with personalized support and feedback that can help them succeed in their academic pursuits.