Struggle Makes Smarter: How AI Can Power Up Your Pretesting Game

In a world bursting with endless information at our fingertips, from Google searches to AI chatbots, we often find ourselves wondering: how can we truly master what we learn? You might expect that having quick access to answers would mean better learning—but research suggests something a little more complicated. A recent study by Mahir Akgun and Sacip Toker dives deep into the effectiveness of pretesting combined with Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT and has some intriguing insights for anyone who wants to supercharge their learning process.

The Digital Dilemma: What’s First—Struggle or Search?

Picture this: you’ve got a tough problem to solve, and your immediate instinct is to whip out your phone and hit Google. Sound familiar? While technology makes information retrieval instant and easy, it simultaneously takes away some crucial mental gymnastics that contribute to deep learning. Instead of just tapping into the vast world of AI and Google, the study underlines the value of pretesting—a strategy where learners attempt to answer questions before diving into a new topic.

Think of pretesting like warming up before a workout; you engage your muscles and get your mind ready, which can lead to a more productive learning session. To put it simply, by struggling first, you prepare your brain to absorb new knowledge better when it comes next.

Pretesting: The Game Changer

So, why is pretesting powerful? Here’s the kicker: it activates your prior knowledge and sends a rush of energy to your brain, readying it to make connections with new information. The study suggests that, even when you get questions wrong in your initial attempts, the effort of trying primes your memory, gearing you up for future learning. This phenomenon is referred to as the pretesting effect.

But the research doesn’t stop there. It goes a step further by exploring how AI, particularly GenAI models like ChatGPT, can work hand-in-hand with pretesting strategies. Let’s break down how combining these two could be revolutionary.

Study 1: Pretesting with AI—A Winning Combo

In one of their experiments, Akgun and Toker wanted to see if students who pretested their knowledge before using ChatGPT for problem-solving would perform better than those who accessed AI help immediately. The results were pretty clear: students who tackled questions first and then brought in AI support scored significantly better on tests that measured their understanding and application of the material.

Imagine testing the waters of a swimming pool before diving in. The pretesting lets you know where you stand, helping you engage deeper once you jump in with the AI lifeguard standing by.

Study 2: Fixed vs. Dynamic Pretesting—What’s More Effective?

In another piece of research, the authors examined if pretesting works better when AI can adapt dynamically to the student’s responses, instead of sticking to fixed questions. The results showed that both types of pretesting significantly aided learning, but there wasn’t a substantial difference in performance when tasks were straightforward and structured.

In other words, while having an AI that responds to you sounds great in theory, for simple tasks, it might not be more beneficial than traditional pretesting. It’s like having a fancy GPS on a straight highway when you really just need a basic map—sometimes, the straightforward option gets the job done just fine.

Study 3: Complexity is Key

The third part of the study took a twist—this time, the learners faced complex, exploratory tasks instead of straight computations. Here, the adaptive pretesting showed its true strengths in helping students navigate intricate problems. Not only did learners perform better, but they also felt more engaged and motivated when personalized AI feedback was part of their learning environment.

This is similar to cooking: having a friend who can adapt recipes based on what you’re good at or where you struggle can create a more enjoyable and effective culinary experience.

Real-World Applications: How to Use These Insights

So, how can you leverage these findings in your own learning journey?

1. Embrace the Struggle: Before you search for answers or use an AI tool, challenge yourself to solve a problem or answer questions related to the material. This “productive struggle” prepares you to engage more meaningfully with the information.

2. Use AI Wisely: When using AI tools like ChatGPT, try using them after you’ve made an initial attempt at solving something. This way, the insights and support from AI can guide and enhance your understanding rather than spoon-feed you answers.

3. Tailor Your Approach to the Task: Assess the complexity of the tasks at hand. For straightforward tasks, fixed pretesting might suffice, but for more in-depth exploration, lean into dynamic, adaptive strategies that allow for personalized learning experiences.

4. Track Your Motivation: As you engage with both pretesting and AI tools, rate your interest, enjoyment, and confidence. Keeping a record can help pinpoint what methods work best for you and how you can navigate your learning more effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Pretesting: Attempting to answer questions or solve problems before engaging with new content can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of information.

• AI Companionship: Combining pretesting with AI tools like ChatGPT offers great potential for deeper engagement and better learning outcomes, especially in more complex tasks.

• Task Characteristics Matter: The effectiveness of pretesting hinges on the types of tasks. For simple, structured activities, fixed questions might work fine, but for complex explorations, adaptive strategies shine.

• Productive Struggle is Key: Don’t shy away from tackling challenges head-on. The more you engage with the material independently, the better equipped you’ll be when the time comes to utilize AI support.

By following these tips and insights, you can effectively merge traditional learning techniques with modern AI tools—transforming your learning experience from passive to powerful.

If you are looking to improve your prompting skills and haven’t already, check out our free Advanced Prompt Engineering course.

This blog post is based on the research article “Struggle First, Prompt Later: How Task Complexity Shapes Learning with GenAI-Assisted Pretesting” by Authors: Mahir Akgun, Sacip Toker. You can find the original article here.