Using AI for feedback, not ready-made answers, may help students earn higher grades

A recent study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland reveals that the way students utilize AI tools can significantly impact their academic performance. While overall AI usage may boost grades on average, its effect hinges on how students employ the technology. Students who use AI primarily for seeking feedback and identifying missing perspectives tend to achieve better results compared to those who solely rely on AI for generating answers without critical revision.

The research, published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports, examined the various approaches students adopt when integrating AI into their studies. Three primary methods were identified: using AI for feedback, relying solely on AI-generated answers, and a balanced approach that combines both. The study, which analyzed take-home exams from 2023 and 2024, involved 891 students, 159 of whom admitted to using AI.

Associate Professor Outi Hakola emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to use AI effectively and purposefully, ensuring it complements their learning and competence development rather than replacing their efforts. She suggests that reflective use of AI could serve as a pathway to responsible AI integration that supports student performance. Previously, public discourse has often oversimplified the issue, treating AI usage as a homogeneous practice, but this study highlights the complexity of the matter.

The research findings underscore the need for educators to guide students in leveraging AI tools thoughtfully, rather than treating them as mere technological aids. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into university teaching and learning, further investigation into its long-term impact on students' learning processes over the next five years could provide valuable insights into optimizing AI's role in educational settings.