Kenyon's own Jim Skon, professor of mathematics and computer science, will present in this week's Math Monday on how we can use AI while keeping student reasoning at the center of learning.
AI can produce polished answers with little effort from a student, making it harder to tell what they actually understand. The concern is cognitive bypass: arriving at a convincing result without doing the thinking the task was meant to develop. This talk explores a broader question for education: how can we use AI while keeping student reasoning at the center of learning? One approach is to design the activity around structured collaboration, turns that require students to contribute, and AI feedback that guides without simply giving the answer. Making intermediate steps visible can help students reflect on their thinking and help instructors see where understanding develops or breaks down. Early classroom observations suggest that this kind of structure may also support more balanced participation.
Join us on Monday, Oct. 12, for this exciting presentation from Skon. The presentation will begin in Hayes Hall 109 at 3:10 p.m. We hope to see you there!