Majority of Teachers Use Digital Media in Class, But Only to a Limited Extent
There are significant differences depending on the type of school. While digital-supported teaching is hardly present in primary and special schools according to the survey, it is more widespread in vocational schools (vocational schools, intermediate and higher vocational schools). This is likely due to differences in equipment as well as the age of the students, according to the study authors. Learning apps are mainly used in teaching for younger students, while older students use e-books.
Little AI in the Classroom
Artificial intelligence is used by 56 percent of respondents, mainly for lesson preparation. AI is also used particularly intensively by teachers at vocational schools (60 percent), but it is rarely used in the classroom itself. At least a third of the surveyed teaching staff stated that they encourage children and young people to use AI. The rejection of AI has decreased compared to previous studies, and there are hardly any bans on AI.
Digital-supported teaching and AI use are particularly common among teachers who highly value the educational benefits of digital media. However, the didactic potential of AI tools is not yet fully known, according to study author Christoph Helm from the University of Linz. Access to AI tools and didactic concepts for their use in teaching also need to be expanded.
At the same time, the educational scientist emphasized that the use of digital media in teaching is not an end in itself. "Digital teaching is not inherently better than traditional teaching." What is crucial is that the tools fit the learning objectives and that there is a focus on interactive elements and continuous feedback. These points were important to the teachers in the survey.
Deficiencies in Media Equipment
According to the survey, there are still deficiencies in equipment. According to one in three respondents, there is still a lack of stable internet or digital teaching and learning materials, and for just as many, the general lack of student competencies is a problem. One in four states that there are too few devices for students or teaching staff and too few workspaces for preparation. Only one in ten teachers finds their own digital competencies problematic.
Overall, the digitalization of Austria's schools is "on a very good path," concluded Helm from the study results. The equipment has been improved through the device initiative, which allows every child in the fifth grade to get a laptop or tablet at a low cost. Skepticism towards AI has significantly decreased, and the surveyed teachers generally consider themselves digitally competent.
A Fifth of Students Have Already Cheated with AI
The student and parent perspective on the topic of AI and school is meanwhile shown in a recently published survey commissioned by the tutoring company GoStudent from six European countries. In Austria, 859 parents and children were surveyed. Almost two-thirds of the surveyed ten to sixteen-year-olds stated that the school does not provide them with the skills they need for their future dream job.
More than a fifth of the students stated that they have already cheated on exams with AI or had essays written by ChatGPT or similar programs - these are top values among the surveyed European students. Almost a third of the students wish for AI as a subject, while old languages like Latin or math classes, as well as computer science, are no longer considered contemporary.
(APA/Red.)
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