An article titled "We Designed an AI Tutor That Helps College Students Reason Rather Than Give Them Answers," examines how artificial intelligence can be designed to improve student learning outcomes in higher education.
The article is co-authored by Dr. Shishir Shakya, assistant professor of economics in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University, and Dr. Saharnaz Babaei‑Balderlou of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Rather than providing direct answers, their AI tutor, "Macro Buddy," guides students through follow-up questions that encourage step-by-step reasoning and conceptual understanding.
The research suggests that thoughtfully designed AI tools can support learning by reinforcing critical thinking, rather than replacing it.
Dr. Shishir Shakya
Dr. Shishir Shakya