Changing Pedagogical Paradigms: Integrating Generative AI in Mathematics to Enhance Digital Literacy through 'Mathematical Battles with AI'

TL;DR

This paper presents 'Math Battles with AI', a competitive educational format that uses generative AI to improve students' digital literacy and verification skills in mathematics through structured tournaments and assessment.

Contribution

It introduces a novel AI-based competitive format with increased hallucination modes to train verification skills and promote critical thinking in mathematics education.

Findings

Students showed improved verification skills.

Shift in student mindset towards critical engagement.

Enhanced digital hygiene and prompt engineering skills.

Abstract

This paper introduces `Math Battles with AI', an innovative competitive format designed at ITMO University to redefine the role of generative AI in mathematics education. Moving away from a purely defensive stance, the authors propose an AI agent with intentionally increased hallucination likelihood in specific modes to train verification skills. We describe the three-stage tournament structure and a specialized assessment system that rewards critical verification over blind reliance. Initial results indicate a significant shift in student mindsets, fostering essential skills in digital hygiene and prompt engineering. This work serves as a practical guide for academic institutions aiming to leverage AI for enhancing, rather than undermining, intellectual development.