AI and Homework: A Helpful Companion or a Hindrance? What Parents and Tutors Need to Know
Artificial intelligence has rapidly entered the world of education, with tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and AI-powered maths solvers becoming part of many students’ daily routines. While these tools offer unprecedented support and convenience, they also spark important questions: How much help is too much? And should parents and tutors embrace these tools or place limits on them?
At Newman Tuition, we believe in a balanced, thoughtful approach. Here is what families and educators should consider.
The Benefits: How AI Can Support Learning
1. Instant explanations
AI tools can clarify tricky concepts in seconds. When used correctly, this can help students overcome blocks and continue learning independently.
2. Personalised guidance
Some AI platforms adjust explanations, examples, and practice questions based on the student’s level, helping build confidence and deepen understanding.
3. Improved writing support
Programmes like Grammarly or AI idea generators can help students with structure, tone, and clarity. This is especially useful for those who struggle to get started.
4. Time-saving support
For busy families, AI can offer quick homework hints, summaries, or revision reminders. This can reduce stress around daily homework battles.
The Risks: Where AI Can Hinder Progress
1. The temptation to copy
The biggest concern is over-reliance. If students use AI to generate whole answers, they may miss the learning altogether.
2. Reduced critical-thinking opportunities
Homework is designed to reinforce thinking rather than just completion. When AI does the thinking for them, students can lose vital problem-solving practice.
3. Incorrect or oversimplified information
AI tools sometimes provide wrong answers or overly general explanations. Without proper guidance, students may unknowingly learn the wrong thing.
4. Weakening of study habits
Relying on quick fixes can make students less resilient and less confident when tackling challenges independently.
Finding the Balance: A Healthy Approach for Families
1. Set clear expectations
Parents can explain that AI is a tool and not a replacement. It is fine to use AI for explanations or checking, but not to complete the work.
2. Encourage transparency
Ask your child how they used AI. Understanding their process helps ensure the tool supported their learning instead of substituting it.
3. Teach students to question AI
Show children how to verify AI answers against class notes, textbooks, or trusted websites. This builds critical thinking instead of passive acceptance.
4. Use AI during revision, not instead of it
AI summaries, quizzes, and practice questions can be incredibly helpful during exam preparation, as long as they complement rather than replace the student’s own study efforts.
How Tutors Can Use AI Constructively
Tutors at Newman Tuition increasingly encounter AI in students’ academic lives. Many now incorporate it in ways that enrich learning, such as:
- Analysing AI-generated answers with students to identify errors
- Using AI to model brainstorming rather than final writing
- Turning AI explanations into teaching moments
- Showing comparisons between a student’s own work and an AI version
The goal is not to avoid AI. The aim is to teach students how to use it responsibly and intelligently.
Our Perspective at Newman Tuition
AI is here to stay, and when it is used thoughtfully, it can empower students to learn more effectively. Like any tool, it requires guidance, boundaries, and an emphasis on genuine understanding rather than shortcuts.
Parents and tutors play a crucial role in helping young people navigate this new educational landscape, ensuring that AI becomes a helpful companion rather than a hindrance to long-term learning.