CORVALLIS, Ore. — Artificial intelligence in education has sparked debate, with concerns about students using it to write essays without doing the actual work. However, a study at Oregon State University has explored a different approach, using AI to enhance student creativity.
Researchers found that AI can indeed boost creativity, but only when teachers provide guidance on how and when to use it. The study revealed that students who initially scored low in creativity experienced the most significant benefits.
“This approach has huge implications, not just for writing classes, but for any discipline where critical or creative thinking matters,” said co-author Wayne Harrison, a senior instructor in the School of Writing, Literature & Film. “We don’t have to choose between banning AI entirely and throwing up our hands in defeat.”
Among the key findings:
- Unsupported AI use resulted in a “flattening” effect, boosting creativity for lower-performing students while diminishing it for highly creative students.
- When instructor guidance was provided, overall creativity increased significantly, with the greatest improvements among students who initially scored lowest in creativity.
- Students reported lowest satisfaction when using AI without instruction, despite potential creativity improvements.
Researchers say it only takes 20 minutes of instruction to see improvements.
