Helping learning rather than avoiding it.
THE CENTRAL DISTINCTION
Using AI to understand something supports learning. Using it to produce work you were meant to do prevents learning.
WHAT GENUINELY HELPS
Explaining a concept at your level Answering follow-up questions when you did not follow Testing you on material Producing practice questions Explaining why your answer was wrong
THE PATTERN THAT WORKS
Attempt the problem yourself Ask for a hint, not the answer Attempt again Ask for the answer only after genuinely trying Ask why your approach failed
THAT LAST STEP
Where most of the learning is. Knowing the right answer teaches less than understanding why yours was wrong.
WHAT HARMS LEARNING
Asking for answers before attempting Accepting explanations you did not check Removing the struggle, which is where learning happens
THE TEST
Could you do it tomorrow without the tool?
If not, you have not learned it.
