By Nektaria Riso I’m technologically challenged. Actually, maybe ‘challenged’ isn’t the most accurate word. I prefer ‘technologically hesitant’, which I have defined as someone who can navigate tech pretty well, but will always believe a human brain is better than a computer (especially when it comes to my schoolwork). So, when ChatGPT was launched to the public, I was very, very, very hesitant to jump on the bandwagon and get into the craze. I mean, I have been writing my entire life, and now I’m supposed to believe that a chatbot with no feelings, no lived experiences, can write better than me! Nope, not buying it. Well, I was wrong. My first experience with ChatGPT happened because a friend suggested using it to explain complex medical concepts. So, I began typing in prompts like “Explain T cell development to me like a 5-year-old” and my life changed! I started using ChatGPT to summarize topics, organize information into tables, refine my writing, and I haven’t looked back. So, I wondered, “What other AI tools can make my life easier as a student?” If you’re like me, a fellow “tech hesitant” and want to explore the many ways AI can maximize your academic potential, look no further! I’ve done the research for you, and I’ve compiled a list of a few AI tools anyone can use to boost their learning. Grammarly Need help with your writing? Grammarly is more than just a spellcheck! It corrects your grammar mistakes and provides suggestions to make your writing clearer and more concise, all while explaining why these suggestions are being made. The feedback also varies depending on the type of paper you’re writing. Plus, Grammarly has expanded to include new features such as citation-making, help with brainstorming paper topics, and more! Mathly If you couldn’t tell by the name, Mathly is like Grammarly, but for math. Now let’s be honest, math is not for everyone, and you need to understand mathematical concepts to pass your classes. Mathly allows you to take a picture of your question, and not only does it solve it, but it also explains how to go about it. It can then generate other problems similar to your initial one if you’re still struggling and want more practice. You can also ask it follow-up questions if you’re unsatisfied with its explanations. Tutor AI As a student, you can’t always rely on your professor to explain everything to you. You’re forced to do a bit (or usually a lot!) of self-directed and independent learning. Tutor AI comes to the rescue! If you want to learn about a topic, just type it into the search bar and you’ll get your own module-based course on that topic with all the most important information in one place. This saves you tons of time searching through multiple websites. Socratic by Google If you need help with an assignment on any topic, Socratic is for you! Just ask it a question (no, like, you can literally use your voice), and you’ll immediately receive student-friendly answers to your questions. The platform is known for its simple and effective visual explanations, handouts, and diagrams. Zotero, Mendeley, and Endnote I think we can all agree that one of the worst parts of writing a paper is citing all our references! Well, have no fear – tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and Endnote are here to manage and organize your bibliographies. They can even steer you in the direction of additional references as you start to add citations to your virtual library. Zotero and Mendeley are free, while Endnote offers a free basic version. But you can also check if your university library offers the full version of Endnote free for students. These platforms are similar, and there exist several videos that explain how to set up them up better than I ever could. Consensus Have you ever had a random question to ask Google (i.e., Does vitamin C prevent colds? Or will rosemary oil help with my hair growth?) and wanted actual, research-backed answers? In a world full of misinformation, Consensus allows you to type in any question and will answer your question after having analyzed several research studies. You’ll receive a “Consensus Meter” that details the various answers to your question and how valid each one is. The studies analyzed are featured further down the page, all summarized with a “Study Snapshot” in case you wanted to track them down. Scite, Elicit and others Scite, Elicit, and others like them are similar to Consensus, but geared towards technical questions most often asked by researchers and academics. It identifies research trends in a particular topic, allows you to discover related work, and helps you place the impact of a study within that topic. It’s a lifesaver for writing your own literature review or even for starting your own research project by identifying knowledge gaps in a particular topic. Humata No time to read through a PDF? Humata allows you to upload any PDF of your choice and will read it for you! You can then ask it questions about the content of this PDF such as “Can you summarize the findings?” or “What was the most important conclusion?” and there you go – time saved! A few caveats to keep in mind: it's crucial to approach AI tools as study aids rather than substitutes for critical thinking and originality. While these tools are improving every day and can enhance efficiency, they are not perfect by any means! As such, it is important to maintain a critical eye when using any AI tool. They are not meant to replace your learning, but to help you learn better! Additionally, remember that AI-generated content may possess a distinct writing style, so you will need to edit it to reflect your individual voice. As AI continues to shape the landscape of academic learning, you’ll need to learn how to use it responsibly. This includes understanding evolving policies regarding crediting AI assistance in academic work, especially in essay writing and research publication. The goal is for us to harness the benefits of AI while upholding academic integrity and embracing the journey of learning! As we wrap up, remember that whether you're conquering complex equations or crafting compelling essays, there's an AI tool out there for you! AI tools can make your academic journey smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable. Finding ways to harness the potential of AI in your learning can be overwhelming, but I hope I’ve given you some guidance to enter the daunting world of AI. Happy exploring!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Education BlogAbout ScientistaSubscribe!NEW!New PostsWhat's HotClick to set custom HTML
You Might Like...
Connect With UsLatest tweets |
The Scientista Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved © 2011-2021 | Based in NY | [email protected]
The Network for Pre-Professional Women in Science and Engineering
The Scientista Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) -- Donate!
The Network for Pre-Professional Women in Science and Engineering
The Scientista Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) -- Donate!