Let's talk about tech and learning. Remember when calculators first showed up in classrooms? Or when Wikipedia became everyone’s go-to for quick info?
Each time a new tool appeared, people worried it would lead to cheating or make students lazy. Now, with GenAI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, we’re hearing those same concerns again. But here’s the thing: technology doesn’t automatically ruin learning. It depends on how you use it.
GenAI: Your Learning Partner or Shortcut?
At the University of Waterloo, students are using GenAI in different ways. Some are using it to amplify their learning, while others are using it to replace it. Which group do you fall into?
Group 1: Using GenAI to replace learning
These students use GenAI to avoid the hard stuff. Say they have an essay to write—they might ask GenAI to generate the arguments, structure, and even the full draft. Sure, they’ll tweak it, add citations, and make it sound more like them. But the deep thinking? That’s been outsourced.
Group 2: Using GenAI to Amplify Learning
These students treat GenAI like a smart assistant, not a substitute. They do the thinking first—developing their own arguments and ideas—and then use GenAI to help organize those thoughts, challenge their perspective, or refine their writing. GenAI becomes a tool for growth, not a shortcut.
The Key Difference: Productive Struggle
Ever heard of “productive struggle”? It’s a concept from math education, but it applies to all learning. It means wrestling with tough but doable tasks—like solving a problem or writing a complex essay—and coming out smarter and stronger.
Your brain actually needs this kind of challenge to grow. But here’s the catch: our brains are wired to take the easy route. GenAI makes it tempting to skip the struggle. And while it might feel good in the moment, it can hurt your long-term learning and career readiness.
Ask yourself:
- Am I using GenAI to support my thinking, or to avoid it?
- Is GenAI helping me learn more deeply, or just helping me finish faster?
- Am I still doing the hard work—like analyzing, creating, and evaluating?
If you’re using GenAI to push your thinking further, great! You’re building skills that will serve you well in your studies and beyond. But if you’re letting it do the thinking for you, it might be time to rethink your approach.
Curious and want to learn more?
Check out the Introduction to GenAI for Students module on LEARN. It’s packed with tips on how to use GenAI responsibly and effectively in your academic journey.