Secondary school students in Scotland are to be surveyed on how they use artificial intelligence in their schoolwork, giving the first national picture on how this growing technology affects their day-to-day learning.
The study, led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, is part of a project looking at the use of, and attitudes to, AI among secondary school students and their teachers.
The students will be asked specifically about generative AI (GenAI), a type of artificial intelligence that is designed to create new content, such as essays, letters or artwork.
By understanding AI use among secondary school students in Scotland, teachers can better support them to use AI responsibly for learning, experts say.
Responsible use of AI in schools
The research follows a study published last month by the Scottish Qualifications Authority showing that almost eight out of 10 educators surveyed believed that learners should be taught how to use GenAI tools responsibly and ethically.
There have also been recent warnings that some young people could be priced out of the best AI tools, opening up new inequalities in learning.
The survey of school students, which will be funded through the University of Edinburgh’s Generative AI Laboratory, will include questions on the types of AI tools that students might have used, such as Grammarly or ChatGPT, and whether they have used them to help with their homework.
Students will also be asked about their knowledge of the accuracy of information produced by AI tools, particularly around so-called “hallucinations” - when generative AI offers inaccurate facts or statistics.
The researchers are keen to understand the policies and learning support that schools have in place for students when using AI, and whether teachers and students are familiar with these.
Parents and teachers are being asked to encourage young people to take part in the new survey. All students will need to provide consent before taking part, with anyone under 16 requiring parental consent before completing the survey.
Fears of a ‘digital divide’
Dr Fiona McNeill, study co-lead and reader in computer science education at the University of Edinburgh, said AI would play “a prominent role” in the workplace and it was important to ensure that “the education [students] receive makes them feel prepared to face this future”.
Professor Judy Robertson, study co-lead and chair in digital learning at the university, said: “Teachers are aware that some of their students are using generative AI tools at home, but we don’t know currently which tools are used by which stages of learners or for what kinds of learning.
“There’s a concern that the digital divide might be growing wider - young people who can’t access AI tools at home may miss out on learning skills which will be expected in the workplace.
“This is why teaching critical AI literacy in schools is so important. Understanding how learners use AI tools already is a first step to developing a framework for AI literacy - we need to meet learners halfway and understand how it features in their digital lives.”
The survey will be available for completion up to Sunday 30 June. Teachers interested in conducting the survey with their class are asked to email aiinschools@ed.ac.uk
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