I met a few students over the past few weeks. It was shocking to listen to their views about learning!

Student 1: High school student

My teacher gave an assignment on financial accounting. I used ChatGPT to form my point of view and submitted my response.

Her friend: Was it easy? Can you help me with my homework?

Student 1: I did not understand anything. Just copied it. Will send you the prompt. You can pick it up from there.

I was speechless.

Few hours go by.

Student 2: High school student

I tried using ChatGPT during my test and could not. My teacher XXX seems to have blocked it during the test. Why would he do that? Now I will get a bad grade, and my GPA will dip.

In the evening, was talking to a College student

Student 3: College student

The Math class assignment given was hard. Everyone used ChatGPT to submit their homework. It is no longer expected that we understand. No one seems to need to understand. Just submitting the assignments gets us good grades. I am trying to learn and understand the concepts, and I seem to be the only one in class. Do I really need these skills when I work?

Student 4: Middle school student

My English teacher gave me an assignment, and asked us to think and write an essay. I do not know anything about the topic. I tried to ChatGPT the answer and share it. She returned it back to me, asking me to write it myself. How unfair? I am getting very anxious as I am unable to think and understand how to progress. What is wrong if the answer is copied?

During the past few days, these conversations have been increasing. I find the student’s ability to understand and expand their thought process is consistently decreasing.

When something is easily given to them, how will they understand?

I was reminded of the mistake I committed as a child. During my ride back home, there used to be a student younger than me. She used to have a lot of homework, and used to struggle with her homework. When she shared it during the ride, I used to take her homework and complete it. I was in 4th grade and she was in 1st grade. Her homework was quite easy and I could complete it before her stop came.

She failed her exams, and the parents met the teachers to understand why she failed. Everyone was perplexed because she used to complete all the homework with accuracy and never made any mistakes. So, why was she not learning? Why was she unable to score well in exams? The teacher asked her to repeat a question from her homework. She could not do it. They asked her how she was able to complete it and submit it correctly. She then slowly reveled that I was completing it for her, as she was finding it hard. When the mother met me during the bus ride, she spoke to me and explained the issue. I felt bad. I remember telling her that she could read the way the answers were written and understand it. She explained that unless she practices herself, she will never learn. The girl stopped taking the bus back home, and I met her a few months later. Her grades had improved. She was doing her homework herself and was learning in the process.

I now think of these students. Are they learning? Do they need to learn? Do they need to figure out how to learn? What future will these minds create? They do not even get to understand and absorb the content they read. They cannot form an original point of view.

It is hard – is not a reason to stop learning. It should be the reason to figure out a way to break your barriers and learn. If you stop your mind from thinking early in life, you obstruct your own brain development. Learn to read & form a point of view, make mistakes, practice correctly & perfect your ability to learn. This will help you realize your potential.