A major change that happened just last November is the emergence of ChatGPT, a language model that can generate human-like text
As an educator, I've been following the advancements in artificial intelligence and its potential applications in the field of education. A major change that happened just last November is the emergence of ChatGPT, a language model that can generate human-like text. As with any new technology, it is important to consider both the pros and cons before incorporating it into the classroom.
I've found that allowing students to explore different genres and styles through writing can inspire them to think more critically and creatively
One of the advantages of ChatGPT is its ability to assist students with both creative and research assignments. In my experience, I've found that allowing students to explore different genres and styles through writing can inspire them to think more critically and creatively. Additionally, ChatGPT can be an effective tool for finding and summarizing information quickly and efficiently, which can save students time and effort. It can also help students with language-based tasks, such as grammar and vocabulary exercises, as well as essay and research writing.
However, there are also some major potential drawbacks to using ChatGPT in the classroom. One big concern is that students may become too reliant on the tool, which could hinder their ability to think critically and independently. This is a concern especially with the high school students, who are still learning to think critically, as over-reliance on the tool could limit their cognitive development.
College students tend to be more mature and are better able to evaluate the information they get from ChatGPT
In my experience working with college students, the situation is somewhat different. College students tend to be more mature and are better able to evaluate the information they get from ChatGPT, and use it as a tool rather than a crutch. Moreover, college students tend to be more specialized in their fields of study and thus can use the tool to assist them in their specific area of expertise.
it is important to consider the potential drawbacks before incorporating ChatGPT into the classroom
Another concern is that using ChatGPT could lead to plagiarism, as the tool generates text that is similar to existing sources. To mitigate this, plagiarism detection software might become a necessity in the near future. Of course I teach my students how to properly cite sources, but ChatGPT makes this much more difficult as it is unclear which sources it is using.
ChatGPT has the potential to be a valuable tool for students, but it is important to consider the potential drawbacks before incorporating it into the classroom. As an educator, I see the potential of ChatGPT as a tool to assist students with their research and creativity, but not as a replacement for independent thought and critical thinking. It's important for educators to use plagiarism detection software and to educate students on what tools like ChatGPT are good for, where they could fail, and how to properly cite sources to avoid any ethical issues.