Improving Student Comprehension with AI

ExplainPaper, and AI Literacy in Education.

This week’s companion podcast made by NotebookLM:

Welcome to this week’s edition of the AI School Librarians Newsletter! In today’s digital world, students and educators increasingly rely on AI tools to support learning, research, and content creation. However, navigating the benefits and ethical considerations of these tools can be challenging. This week, we introduce ExplainPaper, a practical resource for making complex texts more accessible, and discuss ethical issues around AI in search engines. We’ve also curated a thought-provoking reading list covering regulatory developments, AI’s role in mental health, and the challenges of detecting AI in educational content. Together, these resources are designed to support you in guiding students toward critical, informed use of AI in their studies.

AI Tool of the Week: ExplainPaper

ExplainPaper is an AI-powered tool designed to help students and educators make sense of complex academic texts. With ExplainPaper, users can upload a PDF, highlight any confusing sections, and instantly receive explanations, definitions, and summaries to clarify challenging content. This tool is especially helpful for breaking down technical or advanced materials, making it a valuable resource for both classroom and independent study.

Free Version
ExplainPaper offers a free version, which includes basic access to upload and analyze documents. In the free version, users can:

• Upload and highlight content within a single document.

• Receive concise definitions and simplified explanations for selected sections.

• Access up to a limited number of explanations each month, ideal for students working on single projects or shorter assignments.

For a quick overview of how ExplainPaper works, check out this demo video showcasing its features and ease of use.

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Lesson Plan: Using ExplainPaper to Understand Complex Texts

Grade Level: 9-12
Duration: 50 minutes
Objective: Students will learn to use ExplainPaper to enhance comprehension of complex texts, identify challenging sections, and develop critical analysis skills.
Materials Needed:

• Laptops/tablets with internet access

• Pre-selected academic article PDF (relevant to the curriculum)

• Access to ExplainPaper (free version)

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Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction to ExplainPaper (10 minutes)

• Begin with a discussion on why some texts, like academic articles, research papers, or historical documents, can be challenging to understand.

• Introduce ExplainPaper as a tool designed to help clarify difficult text by providing explanations and definitions for confusing words or sections.

• Show the ExplainPaper demo video to give students a visual overview of how the tool works.

2. Demonstration of ExplainPaper Features (10 minutes)

• Guide students through ExplainPaper’s main features, such as uploading a document and highlighting sections for explanation. Emphasize how the tool provides simplified explanations and definitions to aid comprehension.

• Walk students through the free version’s capabilities, including the number of explanations they can access and how to maximize this resource for academic work.

3. Hands-On Activity: Practicing with ExplainPaper (20 minutes)

• Have students upload a pre-selected article or PDF relevant to their studies (for example, a scientific paper or historical document).

• Ask students to identify and highlight sections they find confusing, then use ExplainPaper’s explanations to help clarify these areas.

• Encourage them to jot down notes on what they learned from the explanations and how their understanding of the text improved.

4. Group Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes)

• In small groups, have students share the sections they chose to highlight and discuss how ExplainPaper helped them understand the text.

• Prompt them with questions such as:

  • How did ExplainPaper clarify the content?

  • Was there anything that remained unclear?

  • How might this tool assist you with future assignments?

5. Wrap-Up and Next Steps (5 minutes)

• Encourage students to use ExplainPaper for future reading assignments, especially when dealing with technical or unfamiliar vocabulary.

• Conclude by reminding students that while ExplainPaper is helpful, critical thinking is essential—encourage them to verify information and ask questions even when using AI tools.

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Here's the revised section with key ethical considerations included:

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AI Ethics Corner: Educators' Mixed Feelings on AI in the Classroom

As AI technologies continue to expand into educational spaces, teachers and administrators are weighing the benefits and ethical concerns associated with these tools. According to EdTech Magazine's recent article, "AI in Education 2024: Educators Express Mixed Feelings on Technology’s Future," the conversation around AI is more nuanced than ever. Educators recognize AI’s potential to tailor learning experiences and reduce administrative burdens, making way for more meaningful teacher-student interactions. Yet, many express concerns over the ethical challenges AI brings, particularly:

1. Data Privacy: AI in education often relies on vast amounts of student data. How can we ensure that sensitive information remains secure and is used responsibly?

2. Bias in AI Systems: AI algorithms can reflect or even reinforce existing biases. In educational settings, this may impact fairness and equity if certain groups are unfairly disadvantaged by automated decisions.

3. Diminished Human Interaction: With AI managing routine tasks and sometimes assisting with instruction, there's a risk of decreasing direct human interaction. Can AI be integrated in ways that maintain, or even enhance meaningful student-teacher relationships?

4. Dependency and Overreliance: As schools increasingly adopt AI tools, there's concern that reliance on technology could lead to a reduction in essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

Navigating these challenges means setting clear policies, engaging in ongoing teacher training, and promoting transparency in AI's role within the educational landscape. The article reminds us that while AI holds great promise, its responsible use requires a balanced approach that prioritizes both innovation and integrity.

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AI Reading List

This week’s readings explore essential topics in AI regulation, ethics, and education, offering valuable perspectives for educators navigating these evolving challenges.

1. The Race to Regulate AI - Financial Times
   This article examines global efforts to regulate AI, as governments work to balance fostering innovation with ensuring safety and ethical standards. It encourages readers to consider how regulatory actions might shape AI’s use in education and other fields.

2. Character.AI Lawsuit Raises Concerns on AI’s Role in Mental Health - New York Times
   Covering a recent lawsuit involving Character.AI, this article delves into the ethical considerations of AI’s interactions with young users. It prompts educators to reflect on AI’s role in student mental health and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding well-being in digital interactions.

3. AI Detection in Education Is a Dead End - Leon Furze
   This thought-provoking article argues against the focus on AI detection in education, outlining why detection efforts may be ineffective and counterproductive. It raises important questions about trust, ethics, and the future of AI in learning, suggesting that educators shift their focus toward AI literacy and critical engagement with technology.

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Thank you for joining us for this week’s exploration of AI tools, ethics, and insights into educational technology. ExplainPaper offers students a way to tackle difficult texts with confidence, while our Ethics Corner encourages critical thinking about the sources and influences behind AI-generated content. With the curated articles, we hope to spark conversations about AI’s evolving role in education and inspire practical applications that prioritize student well-being, trust, and literacy. As always, we’re here to support your journey in navigating AI in education—stay tuned for more tools and discussions next week!