CONNECTOR.AE 28 CONNECTOR.AE 29 KIDS AND EDUCATION KIDS AND EDUCATION helping one’s children use AI effectively can be beneficial, and learning the scope, limits and dangers of using AI can be navigated in partnership. Learning With, Not From, AI One of the key messages both experts underline is that AI should not replace human thinking. While tools like ChatGPT or other AI writing assistants can help children research, brainstormor test their ideas, they should never be used to produce final work. As Dr. Michael Bartlett from Dubai Modern Education School says, “Just like the old copy and paste buttons, learning when to use and when not to use it should be at the forefront”. In a world of shortcuts and instant results, it’s easy for children to become overly reliant on AI to complete homework or tasks. However, both experts emphasise that this undermines the real purpose of learning and also encourages parents to help their children understand that integrity matters more than perfection. “Misusing AI to complete homework undermines their learning and their values. Instead, AI can be used to break down an answer or give feedback and suggestions, especially on topics that a parent may not have enough knowledge about. This provides parents with an opportunity to co-learn with their children and be part of their education. Parents can set the tone by discussing why learning how to think is more important than simply knowing what the answer is”, says Baz Nij jar from GEMS Education. Encourage your children to use AI as a learning companion by asking it for ideas, definitions, or feedback, but also ensure that they are still producing their own work. Experts also note that this is a conversation that should also happen in schools.“It shouldn’t be done alone. There needs to be a partnership between the school and the family”, suggests Dr. Michael Bartlett from Dubai Modern Education School. Practical Tips For Parents So how can you, as parents, translate these ideas into everyday habits? Here are some expertbacked tips: 1. Co-use AI tools: For younger children especially, parents should use AI tools alongside their children. This helps monitor usage and opens space for discussion. ‘‘AI can be used to break down an answer or give feedback and suggestions, especially on topics that a parent may not have enough knowledge about.‘‘ 6. Use AI to empower, not replace: Encourage children to use AI when they’re stuck, not when they’re simply trying to finish faster. 7. Praise the process: Celebrate the effort and thought process, not just the finished product. The truth is, many parents in the UAE didn’t grow up with the kind of technology their children are using now, and that’s okay. As pointed out, being a digital expert isn’t a requirement for being an excellent digital parent. As the UAE integrates AI into its education system, the journey of learning is evolving. But the core values of education, including integrity, curiosity and critical thinking, remain the same. With schools and families working hand in hand, children in the UAE can learn to use AI not as a crutch, but as a springboard for creativity, learning and growth. 2. Define AI’s role: Be clear that AI is there to support learning, not to replace the hard work of understanding or creativity. 3. Set healthy time limits: AI tools should complement traditional study habits, not replace them entirely. So, set time limits on how long your child can spend on AI for learning, while encouraging them to spend more time on recollection and reflection. 4. Ask about the process: Instead of asking if the homework is done, ask how AI was used, and what was learnt from it. Ask your children to explain to you what the AI response says without using any of the words it used. 5. Question the output: Teach children to critically evaluate AI answers for reliability, tone or bias. Encourage them to correct AI when they learn from elsewhere that the answers were wrong or inappropriate.
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