Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
Non-human animals! They’re just like us!
I love exploring the origins of a human activity. There’s almost always an equivalent in non-human animals. Education, ever on our minds, is not an exclusively human activity, as noted here. Non-human animals learn by direct teaching or by observing, just like we do. They face challenges in learning, just like we do. Sometimes, young animals get frustrated, just like us.
And non-human animal teachers give their time and patience to educating, as in this article. Sound familiar?
Human education is challenging, as you know, for student and teacher alike. Right now, we’re thinking how generative AI is changing the way we teach, and how students learn. A major concern you’ve raised is that this technology facilitates academic dishonesty. Our goal is that students stretch their minds to become conversant with material, as true expertise is what makes a Northeastern degree valuable. These are valid concerns, that are not new, as plagiarism has long been around, but the new AI platforms are quite talented at solving physics homework problems and certainly are able to write with great confidence, if not with real facts.
How do we deal with the worry of students trying to bypass true learning, and going for an easy, and dishonest facsimile? I think the problem, broadly articulated is how do we get and keep students motivated to learn? It’s an age-old challenge of human education, that accompanies teachers and students through the years. The answer to this, I believe, goes very deep, and requires that we assess the reason for education, and particularly, the relevance for a student.
Let’s go back to non-human animals. Animal education almost always has immediate usefulness. It’s easy to see the point. You’re educated how to find fragrant nectar-rich flowers, hunt a gazelle, or fish for salmon. The learning may be difficult, but the prize is right there once you learn. Education and motivation to be educated go hand-in-hand.
I believe the way to encourage human students to meet the demands of education is to have the student see the reason, the purpose of the learning, as proximally as feasible. This is why trade schools are the right fit for some students – you learn some math or physics so that you can use a specific tool or instrument, for entry into a specific job. However, since bachelors or a higher degree position students with their most flexible and high level future career choices, these remain the most empowering options.
In teaching, we may try to help students understand why certain learning is useful. We give examples – how calculus is used in an engineering project, how organic chemistry is essential to build medicines, and we may give projects so that students discover the use of a topic for themselves. These approaches may help motivate, but it’s an ongoing job to keep material taught fresh and relevant. And a student may feel that dealing with difficult, seemingly irrelevant material through asking generative AI for help is acceptable.
Definitions of motivation abound, but for educators, ‘the general desire or willingness of someone to do something’ is quite good. There’s a lot written about how to motivate students, for example. I think most misses the key point of ‘understanding why the knowledge is useful’.
When I speak with admitted students and encourage them to join Northeastern University, I tell them that unlike other elite universities, Northeastern teaches you what your academics are for, what use they have. I tell prospective students that we can do this because of Northeastern’s unique experiential focus, and coop is our great strength. Coop placements may not directly use information from the classroom or lab, but understanding employment outcomes of a college education can motivate the effort needed for learning.
Let’s not trivialize the challenge. As we explore EVERYTHING AI in our next Community Meeting (Dec 3, 2-3pm, see below), it will be useful to share strategies that keep your students engaged, and motivated to stretch their minds around the material you teach.
The Weekly will take a Thanksgiving break. I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.