LLMs as Academic Reading Companions: Extending HCI Through Synthetic Personae

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Chen, Celia, Leitch, Alex
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Chen, Celia
Leitch, Alex
author_facet Chen, Celia
Leitch, Alex
contents This position paper argues that large language models (LLMs) constitute promising yet underutilized academic reading companions capable of enhancing learning. We detail an exploratory study examining Claude from Anthropic, an LLM-based interactive assistant that helps students comprehend complex qualitative literature content. The study compares quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews assessing outcomes between a control group and an experimental group leveraging Claude over a semester across two graduate courses. Initial findings demonstrate tangible improvements in reading comprehension and engagement among participants using the AI agent versus unsupported independent study. However, there is potential for overreliance and ethical considerations that warrant continued investigation. By documenting an early integration of an LLM reading companion into an educational context, this work contributes pragmatic insights to guide development of synthetic personae supporting learning. Broader impacts compel policy and industry actions to uphold responsible design in order to maximize benefits of AI integration while prioritizing student wellbeing.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2403_19506
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle LLMs as Academic Reading Companions: Extending HCI Through Synthetic Personae
Chen, Celia
Leitch, Alex
Human-Computer Interaction
This position paper argues that large language models (LLMs) constitute promising yet underutilized academic reading companions capable of enhancing learning. We detail an exploratory study examining Claude from Anthropic, an LLM-based interactive assistant that helps students comprehend complex qualitative literature content. The study compares quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews assessing outcomes between a control group and an experimental group leveraging Claude over a semester across two graduate courses. Initial findings demonstrate tangible improvements in reading comprehension and engagement among participants using the AI agent versus unsupported independent study. However, there is potential for overreliance and ethical considerations that warrant continued investigation. By documenting an early integration of an LLM reading companion into an educational context, this work contributes pragmatic insights to guide development of synthetic personae supporting learning. Broader impacts compel policy and industry actions to uphold responsible design in order to maximize benefits of AI integration while prioritizing student wellbeing.
title LLMs as Academic Reading Companions: Extending HCI Through Synthetic Personae
topic Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.19506