New research on Deepseek reveals AI can boost after-school learning, but students need a strong level of digital literacy to start with.
A new open-access study, Research on the Companion Learning Function of AI under the Background of Digital Education: Taking Deepseek as an Example, has revealed that AI tools can boost independent learning when the student has a high level of digital literacy.
Study findings
The study tracked 804 students from eight primary and secondary schools over a four-month period as they used Deepseek as a study companion for their homework.
The research also considered the level of students’ digital literacy and what effect it had on their use of AI while learning.
Researchers found that:
- AI assistance brought positive benefits as a support for homework.
- digital literacy was key; students who understood how to interact with and use digital tools gained the most from the AI support.
- there were areas of concern to be addressed in the AI, particularly type accuracy, emotion recognition, thought inertia and privacy.
Recommendations
The authors have recommended several improvements to respond to these concerns. Among the most far-reaching being to improve the technology, elevate students’ digital literacy levels and provide training for teachers so they and their students can understand how to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Implications for the future
As AI becomes more integrated into education, these kinds of student-support tools appear to be a promising development.
The idea of AI as a study buddy for homework is an appealing one; however, it doesn’t just stop there. The technology needs further refinement in terms of its algorithm design – and, alongside this, students must have the skills to use digital technology as well as understand how to engage with AI thoughtfully and critically, using it as an aid rather than a shortcut.
