**I Figured Out How to Use AI for Learning—Without Becoming Lazy**
As the educational world continues to be transformed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), a pressing question has emerged: when does AI stop being a productivity hack and start hindering genuine learning? This conundrum resonates deeply with me, as I'm always seeking ways to maintain my expertise in areas like PCs, Starlink, and AI. To explore this topic further, I began experimenting with the Onyx Boox Go 10.3 e-ink tablet and ereader, which accepts handwritten input and features Android support.
**The Problem with Over-Reliance on AI**
As I delved deeper into the world of AI-powered learning tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, I realized that it's not just about finding the right gadget to use these tools effectively. Rather, it's about engaging with information and AI in a way that promotes genuine learning and critical thinking. The issue is that when students entrust their listening and writing tasks to AI, they disengage from the material they need to understand and the assignments that teach them essential cognitive skills.
**The Dangers of Delegating Thinking to AI**
Studies conducted by the MIT Media Lab, Societies, and Microsoft have found that using AI to write essays or complete other tasks results in significantly less learning for the individual compared to those who don't use AI. This is because when we delegate our thinking to AI, we miss out on the benefits of doing that thinking ourselves.
**The Power of Handwriting**
As I experimented with the Onyx Boox Go 10.3's handwriting input feature, I discovered a fundamentally different level of engagement with information when using handwritten notes compared to typing or speaking naturally. Teachers and experts agree that handwriting is better for processing new information, forming memories about it, and understanding complex concepts.
**4 Tips for Enhancing Learning with AI**
Here are some ways to use AI effectively for learning:
### 1. **Digitize Pen and Paper Notes**
Enter handwritten notes into an e-ink tablet or jot them down with a smart pen. Digitization allows you to store your notes in a file, making it easy to access them on your laptop or smartphone, share with study groups, and reuse as you work on assignments.
### 2. **Use AI to Enhance Your Notes**
Upload photos of your handwritten notes to a tool like Google Gemini and use the prompt: "Can you digitize and save these notes from my notebook?" Beyond simple digitization, AI can help you compile lists of key concepts or vocabulary terms for later review.
### 3. **Create Flashcards of Key Information**
Use AI to look over assigned reading material and create flashcards pairing concepts with their explanations and vocabulary with definitions. This technique strengthens the brain's ability to remember information and promotes long-term retention through spaced repetition.
### 4. **Make Things Less Complex**
Utilize AI to break down complex concepts into simpler language using prompts like ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5) or ELI12 (Explain Like I'm 12). This approach helps you understand complex topics without getting bogged down in jargon.
**Bonus Tips: The Power of Questions and Answers**
AI can be a powerful partner for studying by leveraging conversational features like Socratic dialogue and the Feynman technique. These techniques emphasize active engagement, questioning assumptions, and developing reasoning skills to promote true understanding.
* **Socratic Dialogue:** Act as my Socratic partner on [topic]. Ask only one open-ended question at a time that prompts reflection and uncovers assumptions. * **Feynman Technique:** Help me study. I'll explain \[topic\] in basic terms; you ask questions where I'm unclear.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, AI can be a valuable tool for learning when used effectively. By shifting our mindset from delegation to active partnership, we can harness the power of AI to enhance our understanding and deepen our knowledge. Whether you're a student or a professional, using AI as an active study partner can help you learn faster, more easily, and ultimately achieve better mastery of the information.