The lockdowns introduced during the Covid pandemic had a well-documented impact on students around the world. While most of these consequences were negative, research from the Autonomous University of Madrid suggests that lockdowns may also have improved students’ ability to work more continuously, which improved their results.
A comprehensive data analysis spanning five academic years reveals that engaging in continuous study, specifically commencing no less than three months prior to examinations, emerges as the most effective approach to attaining commendable grades. This noteworthy finding underscores the significance of discerning how students allocate their study time, as it contributes to prognosticating their future academic performance.
Best outcomes
The study’s authors employed artificial intelligence (AI) to prefigure outcomes well in advance, affording them the opportunity to assist students who faced the prospect of subpar results. By receiving prior warnings, students could evaluate their preparation methods and modify their learning strategies if they proved ineffective.
Furthermore, this proactive approach facilitated the identification of counterproductive practices among learners during the learning phase as well as during examinations, such as instances of academic dishonesty involving copying or plagiarism.
The researchers examined the exercises completed by 396 students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering as part of the Applied Computer Science course. The study utilized the e-valUAM adaptive learning tool, an e-learning platform that presents assessments featuring questions tailored to the correctness of previous answers.
Supporting students
Drawing insights from the test outcomes, the research unveiled the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing students’ study methodologies.
“AI can contribute to continuous learning in multiple ways,” the researchers explain. “Not only can it identify ineffective study strategies and suboptimal practices, but it can also personalize the learning pace, furnish tailored feedback through intelligent tutors, and address queries via educational chatbots.”
The students were segregated into three distinct learning profiles based on their study habits and corresponding achievements: those who exhibited a persistent work ethic, those who habitually procrastinated until the last moments, and those who consistently garnered unsatisfactory results.
Evidently, the group that adhered to a regimen of continuous study yielded the most favorable outcomes, thus prompting the study’s authors to advocate for strategies that promote this practice.
Uninterrupted work
During the period of lockdown, when face-to-face classes were replaced and home-based activities were assigned by teachers, students were naturally inclined towards a more uninterrupted approach to their work.
In light of this observation, the researchers emphasize the necessity of exploring alternative mechanisms to sustain the newfound consistency that emerged during the months when students were confined to their residences.
“Some examples that encourage continuous study are establishing study goals and routines, learning collaboratively by interacting with the teacher and peers, doing practicals or similar exercises, writing the information in the students’ own words, studying out loud and applying mnemonic techniques,” the researchers explain.
Getting students to use these strategies and helping them with tools such as AI is the aim put forward by this study to encourage more consistent work and, as a result, better performance.
