Latest news with #students
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Understanding How Students Use AI and What Faculty Can Do About It
Nearly every day, I see an op-ed or social media post about students' use of AI, most written by faculty. The use of AI in the classroom is controversial among faculty, with some embracing it and finding ways to incorporate it into classroom assignments, others expressing anger about students using it to write papers, and still others being uncertain about what to do. A new survey of 1000 students by Kahoot! – Study Habits Snapshot – shows some interesting patterns. Some of the most prominent include: To better understand the implications of the survey results, I talked with Liz Crawford, Director of Education at Kahoot! I was curious about her interpretation of the finding that 70% of students already use AI in their academic work, especially regarding what that means for faculty, teaching, and assessment of learning. Crawford explained, 'We're entering a new era where AI isn't just a tool—it's becoming a learning partner. Today's students use AI to work more efficiently, personalize their learning, and deepen their understanding. From summarizing notes in seconds using a phone camera to generating self-quizzes before an exam, students are proactively using AI to support—not shortcut—their academic growth.' Liz Crawford, Director, Education at Kahoot! Kahoot She advised faculty: 'It's critical to move beyond the assumption that AI use is synonymous with cheating.' Crawford believes academic integrity is vital, and that 'many students use AI responsibly to enhance their learning, spark new ideas, and strengthen their critical thinking.' She believes that faculty need to realize that 'AI is no longer a future trend—it's already embedded in how students learn.' From her perspective, this growing reliance on AI isn't something to fear, but instead, a call to action. Crawford shared, 'If we don't evolve our teaching and assessment strategies, we risk creating a disconnect between how students are learning and how we're guiding them. Thoughtful integration of AI allows educators to model digital responsibility, engage students more meaningfully, and ensure that learning environments remain relevant and future-ready.' To further explore how these changes might play out in the classroom, I asked Crawford about a particularly concerning part of the Kahoot! survey – students appreciated AI's instant feedback over that of peer study groups. I asked Crawford how this finding might influence faculty design of formative assessments and student support systems. She noted that the demand for immediate AI feedback shows a shift in student expectations and needs and presents an opportunity for faculty. More specifically, she stated, 'To begin with, integrating AI-powered tools into assessment strategies can be a game-changer for faculty.' She emphasized that tools like those provided by Kahoot! and similar organizations can provide real-time feedback, potentially empowering students to identify and correct their misunderstandings promptly. Crawford and others conducting research in the area believe 'this type of approach improves comprehension but also keeps students engaged and motivated throughout the learning process.' Another key benefit of AI integration, according to Crawford, is the potential for personalization. She stated, 'By analyzing performance data, AI systems can offer tailored feedback that addresses each student's unique challenges and needs. This attention can lead to better learning outcomes and heightened student enthusiasm for their studies.' However, Crawford cautioned, 'While AI feedback is incredibly useful, it's essential to remember that it should complement, not substitute, human connections.' The survey also revealed a troubling trend that faculty cannot ignore. Forty Percent (40%) of students surveyed reported skipping exams due to fear of failure. I asked Crawford if there was anything that AI could do to stop this fear and improve confidence among students. She shared, 'Academic anxiety often stems from uncertainty as students aren't sure how to prepare, whether they're studying the right material, or fear of failure.' Crawford noted how AI can help, stating: 'This is where responsible AI integration can make a real difference. AI offers a consistent, on-demand support system that students can rely on throughout their learning journey.' Knowing this, Kahoot!, is beginning to combine AI with gamification – adding gamelike elements to AI interactions. Crawford shared that students can use AI to scan notes and turn them into personalized quizzes using their phones, and they can do this anywhere. She noted, 'Whether they're commuting, studying between classes, or reviewing before bed, students can actively engage in low-pressure practice that builds mastery over time.' Of course, with so much innovation, it's easy to understand why many faculty feel overwhelmed, even if they want to incorporate AI-based learning in their courses. I asked Crawford how faculty can take the steps. She explained, 'Start small, stay curious, and utilize trusted tools. You don't need to become an AI expert overnight.' She added, 'I recommend that faculty members leverage AI to tackle tasks that help them be more efficient, such as preparing for their classes, designing formative assessments, and analyzing reports by exploring the capabilities of different platforms.' One of the most important pieces of advice that Crawford shared for faculty is, 'It's important to recognize that your students can be partners in this journey. Invite their input, explore AI together, and use these conversations to teach digital responsibility.' She wants to remind faculty that their role as 'a guide, mentor, and critical thinker is more essential than ever in an AI-driven world.' From my vantage point as a faculty member, I don't think we can afford to ignore how quickly AI is shaping the way students learn. Rather than shutting the door on AI out of frustration, we have an exciting opportunity to design learning environments and assignments that are creative, rigorous, and engage with AI in positive ways. As Crawford reminds us, we need to work with students to be digitally responsible and critical consumers of AI-generated information.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gen Z heads home: How to navigate the evolving parent-child relationship as kids become adults
As a professor of child development and family science, every year I witness college students heading home for the holidays after a few months of relative independence. Anecdotally, most students express excitement about returning home and say they're looking forward to relaxing with family and friends. However, it also can present a challenge for parents and their grown children. Parents may wonder: 'What should I expect of my child when they return home after living away?' Adult children may be thinking: 'I'm an adult, but I'm in my parents' home. Do I need to ask permission to go out? Do I have a curfew?' The adult child's return home, even for a few days or weeks, may produce some stress for both generations. But, the parent-child relationship is always evolving, including negotiating – and renegotiating – power and control as children age. In fact, families have been preparing for these new role changes for years. Think about when children enter middle school. They spend less time under their parents' direct supervision. Parents must begin to find ways to stay connected with their children while encouraging independence. The challenge is the same with young adults, only their interests and the appropriate level of independence has changed. Generally speaking, the parent-child relationship is relatively stable over time. And the good news is that most people navigate this transition successfully. Understanding a bit more about what developmental and family scientists know about this time of life might help ease the path forward. Many countries and societies consider you an adult once you turn 18. However, neuroscience research reveals that parts of the brain that are crucial for adult skills such as planning ahead, decision-making and controlling impulses do not finish developing until the mid- or late 20s. So, from a psychological perspective, the onset of adulthood is not universal and not determined by a specific age. In 2000, psychologists introduced the concept of a period of development that spans ages 18 to 25: emerging adulthood. It's a kind of in-between period, when people say they don't feel fully adult. It's important to note that this developmental period is not something that everyone experiences. It's most common in Western or industrialized countries, though there is research on the experiences of emerging adults in other cultures. This period of exploration and experimentation, however, is a luxury not available to all, with adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds reaching milestones of adulthood such as financial independence or parenthood earlier than those from more affluent backgrounds. But this life stage has become increasingly common in the 21st century, partly due to societal changes that give young adults more opportunities to explore identity and focus on themselves. For instance, the availability of birth control made sex without marriage more feasible for young adults. Many people take time before full-time work to pursue higher education. Today's young adults can experiment with ideas and opportunities that weren't available to them during adolescence. You can probably imagine why emerging adult children and their parents might butt heads when under the same roof. The two generations' differing opinions and ideals can set up conflict, especially when the child feels like an adult but the parent still sees them as a child. If parents can keep in mind that these young adult offspring are still navigating a distinct developmental phase, it may help them be supportive during this stage. When children leave the nest, the parent-child relationship goes through a period of adjustment. This is typical and, importantly, a necessary part of becoming an adult. There's likely to be a bit of trial and error for both the parent and the child as they figure out how to establish new ways of connecting and relating. But this isn't the first time in a child's life that a developmental transition has triggered the need for renegotiating the parent-child relationship. During adolescence, parents begin to provide their children with more freedom to make independent decisions; this requires parent and child to make adjustments in how they interact and relate to one another. Psychology researchers point to several qualities of healthy parent-adult child relationships. Parents need to get comfortable with a low level of control over what their grown kids do. Parents can expect to know less about their adult child's whereabouts when out for an evening and whom their adult child spends time with, something that parents monitor during adolescence. Maintaining a warm dynamic and encouraging independence are also key. Together, these attributes help parents promote success in their adult children, helping them grow into mentally healthy and well-adjusted members of society. These tweaks in approach may initially be uncomfortable for parents. But with a little effort, they can successfully make this transition. It helps if they've maintained a good relationship with their kid all along. Psychologists typically define effective parenting during emerging adulthood as a relationship characterized by providing warm emotional support; supporting the child in making their own decisions; and refraining from using guilt to change a child's beliefs. 1. Be flexible and don't compare. Every family is different, and each will navigate adult children returning home in unique ways. Likewise, there may be a need to adjust – and readjust – expectations and rules. Be comfortable with tweaking things to best suit your family. 2. Prepare by connecting. Discuss expectations from both generations before or shortly after the adult child returns home. Being proactive with communication will provide opportunities to connect and find common ground. 3. Establish boundaries and guardrails. Parents should communicate house rules for their adult children, and adult children should state their preferred boundaries. These guardrails should be developmentally appropriate and based on mutual respect. 4. Adjust expectations as needed. Parents should keep in mind that their child is in transition to adulthood. They should expect behavior that reflects having one foot in adolescence and the other in adulthood. Warm, supportive parenting continues to be a good influence on development through the emerging adulthood years. Therefore, it is not surprising that emerging adults continue to seek guidance from their parents. Most parents and adult children find their new, more egalitarian relationship lets them connect in new, more mature ways. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Amy Root, West Virginia University Read more: Life's stages are changing – we need new terms and new ideas to describe how adults develop and grow Yes, more and more young adults are living with their parents – but is that necessarily bad? How parents can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of teen mental health problems Amy Root receives funding from National Institute of Child, Health, and Human Development.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Secrets of the picture perfect graduation ceremony at elite $33K-a-year private school
At an elite $33K-a-year private school in Texas, the girls' graduation is far more than just a ceremony - it's a century-old tradition that's picture-perfect. With graduation season in full swing across America, students are no strangers to embracing cherished traditions and festivities alongside friends, savoring their final moments together before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. The highly anticipated milestone is brought to light through vibrant school-colored confetti, over-the-top decorations and after-parties. Each year, the countless celebrations flood social media with snapshots of proud graduates, beaming families and campuses transformed into scenes of bittersweet endings and exciting new beginnings. But in Dallas, no commencement photos turn heads quite like those from The Hockaday School in Dallas - proving year after year that they just might have the internet beat. At this prestigious, all-girls college-preparatory school, graduation tradition isn't just upheld, it's elevated into an art form featuring a breathtaking blend of elegance. Earlier this month, the school celebrated its 111th Commencement, where 124 girls crossed the iconic Ashley H. Priddy Commencement Terrace to receive their diplomas in a ceremony as graceful as it is grand. One of the most distinctive and enchanting features of the ceremony is the graduates' attire - flowing white dresses paired with wide-brimmed hats, each uniquely decorated with hand-picked flowers. No commencement photos turn heads quite like those from The Hockaday School in Texas - proving year after year that they just might have the internet beat with stunning graduation snapshots This timeless tradition, dating back over a century, transforms the ceremony into a living garden of color and individuality, making it truly unforgettable for the graduates - and the internet - alike. First introduced by Ela Hockaday in 1914, the white dress has remained a lasting staple for every young woman crossing the stage, according to Hockaday Fourcast. Her choice for white dresses was deeply intentional - meant to embody Southern charm while honoring the achievements of the young women wearing them. 'She wanted to bring the old southern charm but also show that the school produced cultured, intelligent ladies,' archives manager Emily Embry said of Ela, as reported by the outlet. 'For them to be dressed up in beautiful white dresses just made it so special,' she added. Selecting the graduation dress each year is a thoughtful process of its own - each year's design reflecting the unique spirit of the graduating class and the moment in time they step across the stage. 'The really exciting part for me is wondering what the fashion at that time was and thinking what made the girls choose this one dress out of all the dresses,' Embry said. The process begins a full year ahead, in June, when a senior's parent takes on the important role of coordinating the wardrobe each girl will wear. In 2013, Nancy Winston, who proudly graduated from Hockaday in 1982, took on the challenge, according to Hockaday Fourcast. She began her search in the bridal department of Stanley Korshak and, with the help of a store employee, narrowed down five to six dresses, each representing a different style. But before the dresses are even unveiled to the senior class, each option must first be approved by the Headmistress. 'Probably one of the most unique aspects of Hockaday commencement is that the whole senior class gets to vote on it,' Winston said, as reported by the outlet. 'Everyone respects that it needs to be a dress that will look good on everybody.' Then comes the long awaited moment: the dresses are modeled to the graduates in a beloved annual fashion show, after which the graduates cast their final votes. But no Hockaday commencement would be complete without the signature sun hats - grand, wide-brimmed and uniquely created by each graduate. While the hats may seem like a charming accessory, for many graduates they serve as a heartfelt tribute to relatives who walked the same path before them. Since the 1991 shift from colored to white hats, those wearing a relatives vintage hat vibrantly stood out among a sea of white - a quiet yet powerful symbol of connection Since the 1991 shift from colored to white hats, those wearing a relatives vintage hat vibrantly stood out among a sea of white - a quiet yet powerful symbol of connection. 'I don't think it's about the color of the hat, it's just that somebody hung onto the hat for 30 years waiting for the next graduate,' Nancy said, as reported by Hockaday Fourcast. 'All that was important was that you were honoring your mother, sister, grandmother or aunt, whether or not anyone else knew.' However, this year marked only the fifth time in the school's 111-year-history that graduates had the option to wear a traditional cap and gown along with a colored hat, People Newspapers reported. Initially, concerns emerged that departing the uniformity of the attire would lessen the ceremony's symbolic impact after the decision was made in 2021. Yet many students felt the change actually strengthened their sense of unity, as each year, a few classmates request alternative attire - often citing religious beliefs or body image concerns as key reasons. Sidney Kronbach, a graduate of the 2022 class, worked alongside a few other students to advocate for the change. 'For me, it was lovely to see the support that the petition got in our grade and beyond,' Kronbach said, as reported by People Newspapers. 'The most important thing to me and a major reason I support the decision is that while the single white dress is supposed to symbolize unity amongst the senior class, there is nothing unifying about someone feeling excluded.' Though the graduates wear matching white dresses and sing the same cherished songs - core elements of the Hockaday tradition - each girl's individuality now blossoms through the vibrant flowers crowning her hat. Kate, a Hockaday senior in 2013, described the process of choosing flowers as 'strenuous' but enthralling, Hockaday Fourcast reported. 'Picking flowers for my hat was probably one of the most difficult style decisions I have ever had to make,' Kate told the outlet. 'During my consultation with the florist so many questions were running through my head. What colors? What will I think about my flowers a year from now? Ten years from now?' she added. 'Eventually, I decided on what I thought was just me, at that moment.' Archives manager Emily Embry noted that this process has evolved dramatically over the years. In the past, graduates simply had to choose from whatever flowers the florist had in stock that day. Today, the girls have thousands of color and style options. 'It helps to bring out the personality of each girl,' Embry told the outlet. 'It's especially nice to see the girls have fun with it.' This year, alongside the elegant ceremony, the girls enjoyed unique touches like custom hat-shaped cookies, decorated with beautiful colors and congratulatory messages. One student gave an inspiring speech to her fellow 'sisters', highlighting their shared experiences of womanhood in front of friends and family. 'As high as we've grown, we have so much left to go,' graduate Alex Blue Baron said during her speech, which was shared to the school's Instagram page. 'Being a daisy means coming into full bloom,' she continued. In a heartfelt moment, Baron addressed the crowd, reflecting on the challenges of change and how their shared experiences at Hockaday have bonded the class for life. 'And Class of 2025 - remember your roots,' she said, taking in the faces of her classmates, all together in the same space for what might be the very last time. 'Because no matter how high you grow, you'll always be a daisy.'
CNET
7 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
I Used MindStudio AI to Help With Research. It Was Remarkably Handy
The most taxing thing about being a journalist, apart from the job insecurity, is all the required reading. Working on a piece means reading through stacks of articles, studies and other reports just to paint a full picture for readers. Even then, you'll invariably miss things that'll immediately be pointed out in the comment section. However, AI can help streamline research and reduce missteps. As an AI reporter, I'm constantly being sent pitches about the latest AI wares from companies the average person hasn't heard of. Most don't seem particularly useful for the average person, but speaking with Dmitry Shapiro, a former product manager at Google and current CEO of MindStudio, and seeing a video he posted on LinkedIn for his Do Your Research AI agent, made me want to give it a try. AI is increasingly becoming the go-to tool for reporters, researchers and students. Its ability to synthesize nearly the entire trove of human knowledge and give a bespoke output to any question saves time that would have otherwise been dedicated to cross-referencing material. At the same time, there's a worry that relying too heavily on AI systems atrophies the human mind, making it less capable of problem-solving and critical thinking. Despite this, people, companies and universities are all in on offloading the arduous task of human analysis to neural networks. In some cases, AI can greatly outperform human output, doing 1 billion years of doctoral research in one year. On the other hand, AI can make grave mistakes, such as telling businesses to break the law. While AI optimists say that the tech will maximize human potential in a fraction of the time, there's worry about the effects of the workforce being supplanted by AI systems and whether society is ready to deal with the potential of mass layoffs. Despite the concerns, AI is here, everyone is using it, and only the most useful tools will survive. In concept, Do Your Research seems like a godsend for reporting. In practice, it's good overall, but it has some issues that need fixing. For example, in researching the changes to Twitter's moderation policies after Elon Musk's takeover, Do Your Research did a great job painting a history of all the changes the Tesla CEO made and how it immediately led to an increase in hate speech on the platform. It also highlighted the externalities to Musk's abrupt firings and moderation changes, including an advertiser revolt and an exodus of customers, backed by actual data. The conclusion also gave a position -- I hadn't asked for one, but it shows that the tool can connect all the facts presented. Per my spot checks, the data that Do Your Research presented was accurate and backed up with correct sources. However, I wish that factoids could be hyperlinked directly to sources, like Wikipedia. If you're a student, you'll want to be careful with copying and pasting directly from Do Your Research. Upon checking with a plagiarism detection site, Do Your Research's text came up as 20% plagiarized. Unsurprisingly, AI detection tools dinged Do Your Research as 46% AI-generated, which is pretty low considering it's 100% AI-generated. An example of MindStudio's Do Your Research AI agent looking into Twitter's content moderation. Screenshot by CNET The thing I like about Do Your Research over ChatGPT and Gemini is the way it breaks down different points into subheads and tacks on a full list of sources at the bottom. While the other chatbots do this too, Do Your Research lists it out like a detailed bibliography. Given that AI systems can get things wrong, easily being able to go back to the actual source immediately is handy. Perplexity has a function called Pages that works similarly to Do Your Research. In my tests, the writing read much more like a human and was at a level I'd deem publishable. The sourcing was also well detailed and correctly documented. Granted, Pages was immediately dinged by plagiarism checking tools as more than 93% plagiarized. It's a criticism Perplexity has received in the past. It also explains why Perplexity reads so much better than other AI-generated content. Do Your Research does need further optimization. A single run of the model can take minutes to compile. In my case, it would fail about 40% of the time. Obviously, these instances are annoying, and it requires more time to rerun the model. After about five successful Do Your Research reports, I ran out of the $5 in token credits allotted to me by MindStudio for my press account. Tokens are essentially the amount of output the AI model can generate before the customer will need to pull out a credit card. Is Do Your Research worth your time and investment? Yes. It's an incredibly handy tool that does a fantastic job of grabbing various bits of information and collecting it all into an article-like package. The output isn't good enough to be publishable, as its text can read as anodyne and lacking in personality. However, it's a strong jumping-off point to help expand your own research and reporting.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Students' fears over 'endangered' arts faculty
Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by students in response to a review proposing cuts to courses and redundancies at the University of Plymouth. Focussing on proposals for the Arts, Humanities and Business department, it warns the cuts could "endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth". Proposals, which are under consultation until July, are also understood to place the university's cinema and art gallery "under review" in what one student described as "disproportionate targeting" of the arts. The University of Plymouth said avoiding compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of student experience, was its "number one priority". It comes after the university said about 200 jobs may be affected by budget cuts. The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, which includes the School of Art, Design and Architecture, has been asked to make £4.6m in savings, according to a document seen by the BBC. The student petition appeals for the university to "halt" the proposed redundancies and course closures and engage in "transparent consultation" with students and staff. It requests the "financial rationale" be published in a bid to find "fairer alternative solutions that do not disproportionately target the arts". The unnamed student behind the petition said: "These cuts endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth and represent a clear departure from the university's stated values of inclusivity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration." They said staff redundancies could result in students being "left without suitable academic supervision", while international students may seek education elsewhere. Students have also been creating posters protesting at the proposed cuts and displaying them around the university. The University and College Union (UCU) has written an open letter to three of the region's MPs outlining the impact of the cuts. The letter says: "The Schools of Art, Design and Architecture may see the loss of undergraduate programmes in Fine Art, Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre and Music, as well as postgraduate programmes across the School. The Arts & Culture programme, including the public-facing gallery and cinema, which recently hosted events for British Arts Show 9 is also proposed for closure." The BBC has asked MPs Luke Pollard, Rebecca Smith and Fred Thomas - to whom the letter was addressed - for comment. The university, which employs more than 2,500 staff and serves more than 19,000 students across its two main campuses said it had to "make savings and difficult decisions" along with the majority of UK universities. The BBC has asked the university detailed questions about the proposals and their impact, but it declined to answer them. But, in a statement, it said it was doing everything possible to "look after our staff and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority". It added: "We are reviewing a number of the university's operations during a process of consultation with colleagues that is scheduled for completion in July. "It would be inappropriate to comment further regarding specific departments until that process has concluded, but we have been in touch with our current students to reassure them and ensure they are aware of support available to them. "Any changes to our provision will be aimed at making the University of Plymouth more resilient and better able to meet the demands of students, now and into the future." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ University faces £22m budget shortfall University announces potential loss of 200 jobs Arts firms 'in middle of perfect storm'
