6 Using AI to Enhance Student Learning
This chapter explores how AI tools can be used to:
- tutor students;
- simulate real-world tasks, from a salary negotiation to an engine overhaul;
- generate practice questions based on a topic or text;
- teach a concept using analogies or examples;
- help language learners build their vocabulary;
- support reading, research, and writing skills development.
AI as a Personal Tutor
AI-based learning allows students to actively engage by interacting with AI tools to learn the skills required for a particular task. AI-based individual tutoring can adapt to each student’s learning style, pace, and preferences, offering a personalized educational experience. Since AI tools can produce errors, AI-based tutoring is best used as a supplement to readings or lectures, which will supply students with a base of knowledge on which to fact-check AI output. Multipurpose AI tools can act as a personal tutor, as can specialized tools like NotebookLM, which allows students to compile course slides, readings, videos, and notes, and produce study guides and practice quizzes.
AI as a Simulation Tool
AI tools are well-suited to function as a simulator, allowing students a low-stakes, low-pressure opportunity to apply knowledge before engaging in a real-world task.[1] The following table illustrates some sample applications for AI as an in- or out-of-class simulation partner.
| Area |
Task for Simulation | Sample Interaction with AI Tool |
| Business, legal | Negotiation | AI chatbots can be prompted to act as business or legal negotiating counterpart. |
| Hospitality management | Event planning | AI chatbots can be prompted to simulate the planning and execution of an event, incorporating common issues that arise. |
| Healthcare | Patient interaction | PCS allows students to practice opposite an avatar of a patient, and view themselves from a patient’s perspective. |
| ESL | Conversation practice | Quizlet’s Q-chat can act as a conversation partner or quizmaster. |
| Trades | HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance | SkillCat has AI simulations on dozens of tasks from changing an air filter to wiring a compressor. |
| Indigenous language learning | Pronunciation and conversation practice | Rongo evaluates and corrects pronunciation of Maori learners, and several other apps are in development for Indigenous languages in Canada. |
| Technology | Cyberattack response | AI chatbots can produce detailed and iterative simulations of cyberattacks. |
| Business | Pitching a business plan | Shark Tank AI offers a fun and engaging way of getting detailed feedback on a business plan. |
In many of the above examples where a specific AI tool is mentioned, multipurpose AI tools like Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT can often complete the same tasks, but potentially with a less immersive visual environment.
Here is one example of prompting an AI tool for an iterative simulation—click the image for the full interaction (ChatGPT login required). No