Are We Helping People Learn or Just Giving Them Answers?

Anybody can give somebody an answer. That’s not learning.

Lately I’ve been in a lot of conversations with higher ed institutions about chatbots and ‘personalized learning.’ The idea sounds great. If someone has a question, the chatbot can help. It knows the syllabus, the content, even how the university works.

And for certain things, that’s actually really useful. Questions like “Where do I go to change my schedule?” or “When is my assignment due?” or “What assignments have I not submitted?” are simple and factual. Quick answers make life easier and support learners. No problem there.

But learning does not happen through quick answers. Anyone who has ever taught or coached or tutored knows this. You can see it in that “aha” moment when someone finally connects the dots. You can give someone the answer to a math problem, but that does not teach them how to solve it -  the ole “teach a man to fish.” Real learning takes time, struggle and reflection. That is how understanding sticks.

At Kyron, we design for that process. The moment when things click, when understanding grows, when confidence builds. Eighty-one percent of people who spend time on our platform say it has helped them better understand the content, and eighty-four percent feel more confident in that understanding.

Chatbots are going to be helpful for higher ed institutions, but they will not solve everything. Just because AI is here does not change the reality of teaching and learning. To do it well still takes time, attention, and dedication. We should not lose sight of that or start to believe it has changed.