HOW AI TOOLS ARE CHANGING THE WAY STUDENTS LEARN IN NIGERIA

Introduction

Artificial intelligence commonly called AI are advanced computer programs designed to mimic human thinking, processing information, writing text and solving problems. Platforms like OpenAI and ChatGPT act as online tutors to explain concepts that seems hard to understand, while platforms like Grammarly serve as writing assistant, refining grammar and paraphing essay.

According to Google, over 92% of Nigerians uses AI to learn hard subjects. Students use these tools to summarize bulky study notes, brainstorm projects topic, and gather data for research. Many Universities like NOUN (National Open University of Nigeria) are beginning to formally use AI in their course material development.

Benefits Of Artificial Intelligence In Learning

Artificial Intelligence in learning academic sector include the following:

1. Time: The use of Artificial Intelligence in learning saves time and allow students or learners focus on deeper learning. Students can quickly read through bulky study notes and save time to cover a wide range of syllabus.
2. Makes learning Easier: AI powered chatbots and study companions gives instant help and also offer help to explain things outside the research of school note and breaks difficult explanations to something the user can understand as long as the user tells the chatbot what to do with whatsoever information you feed the chatbot.
3. Improve writing and understanding: AI gives targeted and real-time results that helps refine work. With AI writing assistants’ students can organize ideas, correct grammatical errors and refine writing tone. Students who struggle with topics can prompt AI to break the topic down into simple easy-to-understand explanations. Give Access to information Outside classroom: with AI students can get information globally. Students can break the language barrier using AI to interpret to get information from other geographic areas.

Features like text-to-speech, speech-to-text help non-native speakers or students with special need to learn independently alongside with peers.

Challenges And Concerns of AI in learning

Yes, AI helps in learning and also education sector. But it also has its downside. Some of the challenges of using AI in the educational sector include

1. Loss of Critical thinking: Relying on AI for answers can hinder genuine understanding; it can limit their level of critical thinking gradually. Mentally efforts such as summarizing, problem solving skills would be limited, students would become very dependent on machines. This will stop them from learning what it means to multitask or push themselves to be creative. It also hinders students from attaining their full potential and explore their abilities because they now depend solely on machines.
2. Overdependence on AI: Treating AI as a complete stand-in for human reasoning and over depending on it can result to reduction in user’s capacity for independent problem solving and decision making. Depending solely on AI to do all academic works expose user to be unable to analyze arguments or think creatively without machine assistance
3. Increase in technology addiction: The use of AI means the use of smartphones, iPad or even laptops for educational activities rather than pen, paper or books. This will lead to an increase in screen time and a possible addiction to technology which might end up with health issues as time goes on. The main intention for using an AI is to assist and not cause havoc to our health but then an increase in screen time brings us closer to damaging our sight and also other vital part of our body.

Schools And Teachers Perspective Of AI

With the rise of free, accessible AI tools teachers and students are finding it difficult to find a middle ground as teachers needs AI as study aid or brainstorming partner while student needs it to summarize bulky study notes etc., The abuse of AI has brought about the question whether AI should be banned from education sector or not?

Impact On Education Nigeria

AI is transforming education in Nigeria by shifting study habit from traditional to self-paced personalized learning. Students in universities uses AI like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini to break down hard bulky study notes and also generate practice quiz giving them the presence of a tutor 24/7. Also, the use of AI for study research assistant is common in student to save time and improve information retention.

Conclusion

Overall, AI can transform education in Nigeria by improving the quality of learning experience and providing personalized support to learners.

AI should assist rather than replace in the education sector, serving as a powerful tool to assist and personalize learning. The future of education will be driven by the synergy between human wisdom and machine efficiency, moving learning toward lifelong adaptability.