Can AI Support Critical Thinking Skill Development?

[Symphonie]

Are you worried that AI might make students passive learners? Here’s a simple way to flip that concern into an opportunity.

Instead of banning generative AI from your classroom, consider using it as a thought partner. By sharing an AI-generated response to a relevant question, you can invite students to step into the role of evaluator and editor.

Engaging in critique rather than passive consumption enhances active learning for students. This process strengthens their metacognition as they ask themselves what makes an answer strong or weak. Additionally, it fosters the habit of questioning sources, an essential skill in our AI-driven world.

Here’s what it can look like in practice: give students a short AI-generated essay or answer to a prompt and ask, “What would you improve or challenge? What reasoning is missing?”

Suddenly, the assignment shifts from “What’s the right answer?” to “How do we know this answer is sound?” That’s where deeper thinking happens.

The next time you’re designing a discussion or low-stakes activity, try pairing AI with student critique. You’ll not only keep them engaged, but also help them develop the critical mindset they’ll need long after your course ends.