Education and AI
How should educators respond to ChatGPT?
Yes, the image above was generated entirely by AI. (StableDiffusionXL)
ChatGPT is a revolut…. Blah blah, yada yada. I’ll skip the cliche intro that you know all too well.
Anyways,
A debate has ensued (especially on Twitter) regarding how educators, teachers, and schools should respond to the advent of ChatGPT and similar tools. I have mostly listened to these discussions but I thought it was worth compiling my thoughts on the subject in this post.
Quick disclaimer: I’m not a teacher (: but I am a student. I’ll try to be as objective as possible. Also, Grammarly quit working and I’m bad at spelling at 2 AM…
Ok…
Cheating.
Can ChatGPT be used to cheat?
That was a question of the rhetorical variety (A+ if you get the reference). Currently, most of my professors are of the attitude, “I can easily tell if an essay is written by ChatGPT”. Fair. But I think educators are failing to realize that ChatGPT is the dumbest version of itself that any student will ever use again. Not only that, but the actual AI behind ChatGPT (called GPT-3.5-Turbo) is actually much more capable in terms of its range of uses.
But that’s not all:
Let’s look at prompt design. Prompt design or “prompt engineering” allows people to unlock an AI’s true potential. To test this out let’s dive in with an example of how to cheat using ChatGPT.
How to Cheat 101.
*Quick note, I do not believe AI can replace any teachers, but I’ll write about that more in another article, if anything teachers will become more important*
Disclaimer: I don’t use ChatGPT to write papers (although it makes a good proofreader).
Let’s say we have a student. Her name is Alice. This is irrelevant information so feel free to forget it. Anyways, Alice is having a horrible Monday. Her paper on “How did the Industrial Revolution Affect Agriculture in Asia?” is due that night. Promising herself she’ll never do it again, she opens Chrome and types in ai.com. ChatGPT pops up, always ready to help. First, she simply asks ChatGPT:
While this may pass as a paper, it is bland and lacks creativity. It has that “ChatGPT feel”. Now Alice tries a more creative “prompt”:
As you can see, this is a much better paper. It even “reflects” on her own experience. It also has a works cited. I know you think you could tell this was AI generated, but it only takes one more prompt to erase most traces.
Wow, now Alice is a “lifelong environmentalist”. She can mix and match her favourite version of her paper. After only a few more minutes of manual editing, the paper will seem completely human.
Ok, so now hopefully I have convinced you that it is relatively easy to cheat using ChatGPT.
Let’s move on to the interesting stuff.
ChatGPT or CheatGPT
After coming to the conclusion that students can cheat using ChatGPT, I have seen that most teachers and professors have one of five responses:
Ask students not to use it.
Have students simply write their papers in pencil, and in class.
Employ the use of AI content detectors like GPT-0.
Ignore it (honestly, this is the most common)
Allow it.
Lets now look at some of the main motivations behind the very existence of education (from my perspective as a student):
Become a well-rounded person.
Increase intelligence and problem-solving. See-through lies, and grasp reality.
Prepare students for life.
You can agree or disagree with these.
In my mind, a helpful and nuanced answer to the ChatGPT dilemma will optimize for all of these points (including many more). Let’s go through all of them with one simple question, “does the use of ChatGPT optimize for this goal?”.
Goal 1: Become a well-rounded person.
Firstly, “well-roundedness” is fairly subjective (and not necessarily an end-all goal). Either way, ChatGPT, I would argue, has a large potential to increase how well rounded students are (while also allowing them to specify faster). Here I will speak from personal experience. I have been wanting to better learn Church history, that is the history of Christianity. A few weeks ago, I had the brilliant idea to ask ChatGPT to give me a set of key events in Church history. It did so. Then I asked it about each point. Within each of these answers, I asked it even more questions. I even took notes (I almost never take notes).
Another example. I code during much of my free time. I love coding, and it is my main hobby. In the back of my mind though, I want to learn an instrument. ChatGPT has made my software development over 3 times as fast due to its debugging capabilities. As such, I have even more free time and can now spend more than an hour practising the piano per day.
I’d say ChatGPT has made me a more well-rounded person, however, I do not think this is inevitable. It’s a tool, use it how you will.
Conclusion: Allow it, at least within certain contexts. Maybe challenge your students to learn about something completely foreign to them, then have them give a presentation or demonstration of their new skill/knowledge.
Goal 2: Increase Intelligence, Problem Solving. Grasp reality.
“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices” - Albus Dumbledore
Why the random Dumbledore quote? Well, firstly, what kind of article is this if it doesn't quote Gandalf, Frodo, Sam or Dumbledore? More importantly, I would like to offer a rephrase of the quote that sums up my opinion on if ChatGPT increases intelligence.
It is not our [Chatbots] that show what we truly are [learning]. It is our [prompts]. - Me
ChatGPT is an imperfect distillation of human text-based knowledge, but its impact on you is entirely your discretion. You can spend hours asking it to write parodies of songs or use it to learn about quantum physics in a way that makes sense to you. You can even mix the two. ChatGPT has the potential to either greatly aid or hinder your goals. That's why it would be wonderful to see schools, colleges, and educators promote its use in helpful ways and teach students how to best learn from AI. Prompt ChatGPT for knowledge and it will oblige.
Conclusion: As a teacher, one of your primary responsibilities is to motivate your students to learn. ChatGPT can be a powerful tool to help achieve this goal. Encouraging students to utilize ChatGPT to explore subjects that interest them can provide them with the motivation to learn more about the world around them. While an AI chatbot alone cannot provide motivation, it can be an excellent resource when combined with your guidance and encouragement. With their newfound motivation (gifted to them from you), students can leverage ChatGPT to discover new knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of various topics.
Goal 3: Prepare Students for life.
Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay (and it’s been here for a long time but you just didn’t notice it). Large language models may end up being potentially the most disruptive technology in a very long time. Just like any tool, they require skill to utilize properly. Future jobs will require that employees be able to use these, they simply can not turn down the economic incentives. Part of preparing your students for life will be teaching them how to effectively amplify their abilities using AI. After all, there is an old adage, and by old I mean like at least a few months:
AI won’t replace your job, humans using AI will - lots of people on Twitter.
Be careful before prematurely “throwing the baby (ChatGPT) out with the bathwater (Cheating)”.
Your students will need to know how to use AI.
Conclusion
There are many more goals that education should aim to accomplish, these were just three that came to mind, however, I think, when used correctly, ChatGPT can aid students and teachers. Despite this, yes, I think there will be a need to return to oral examinations and in-class paper writing. This is because both activities require on-the-spot creativity, something that I believe will only become more important. It will also ensure that people do not become lazy. Next, allow students to use ChatGPT on certain papers. If someone is given a tool that allows them to do something 10x better, expect them to be more than 10x better at completing the task. Papers that utilize ChatGPT will simply have to be really really really good (so that your student has to have worked for it). Remember, ChatGPT can understand and implement your student’s creative ideas (even though it does not come up with creativity on its own). That being said, it may be appropriate to completely ban ChatGPT in certain classes. Context and content matter. Next, ChatGPT can help you grade. Use it and refocus your time on iterative teaching if necessary. If you can get grades back to your students faster, they will improve faster from your feedback. I am not suggesting that ChatGPT can fully augment the grading process, it can’t, but it can speed it up. And some of us students would appreciate that.
Finally, It is important to note that GPT-4 is out. This model is unbelievably more capable than ChatGPT. It can input text and images.
Here is a paper I had it write:
I didn’t read the whole thing but feel free to skim to see how powerful these AIs are getting.
Prompt: “Write an essay exploring how German culture has affected American culture. Be very creative and even funny when needed. MLA, formatted like a high school research paper. Mention that I lived in Germany for 3 years.“
GPT-4: “Title: From Bratwurst to Broadway: The Impact of German Culture on American Culture
I. Introduction
There is a saying that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." If that is the case, then Americans must have a deep admiration for German culture. From our taste buds to our holiday traditions, the influence of German culture on American customs can be felt in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Having lived in Germany for three years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to experience these cultural connections firsthand.
II. Culinary Connections
A. Oktoberfest
One of the most delicious ways that German culture has infiltrated American culture is through our stomachs. Each year, millions of Americans participate in Oktoberfest celebrations, which were originally held in Munich, Germany, in 1810. Today, these festivals feature a variety of mouthwatering German foods, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels (Smith 35).
B. Hot dogs and Hamburgers
Even foods that we consider quintessentially American, like hot dogs and hamburgers, have their roots in German cuisine. The hot dog, or "frankfurter," is named after the German city of Frankfurt, while the hamburger gets its name from the city of Hamburg (Jones 27). So the next time you enjoy these iconic American foods, remember to raise your mustard-slathered bun in thanks to German immigrants.
C. Beer
Lastly, it's impossible to discuss the culinary connections between Germany and America without mentioning beer. German immigrants brought their brewing techniques to the United States in the 19th century, and today, American beer culture owes much of its success to these German pioneers (Smith 42). Prost!
III. Holiday Influences
A. Christmas
Many of our most cherished Christmas traditions, such as the Christmas tree and advent calendars, have their origins in Germany. The Christmas tree, or Tannenbaum, dates back to the 16th century, when devout Germans brought decorated trees into their homes to celebrate the holiday (Jackson 15). Advent calendars, which count down the days until Christmas, were also first used in 19th-century Germany (Jackson 20).
B. Easter
The Easter Bunny, too, hopped its way into American culture from Germany. German immigrants in the 18th century brought with them the story of the "Osterhase," a hare that lays eggs for children to find on Easter morning (Adams 50). Today, the Easter Bunny has become an essential part of Easter celebrations in the United States.
IV. Arts and Entertainment
A. Broadway Musicals
Germany's influence on American culture is not limited to food and holidays; it can also be seen in our arts and entertainment. Broadway musicals, for example, have been heavily influenced by German operettas (Wilson 76). The catchy tunes, elaborate costumes, and high-energy performances that characterize Broadway shows can be traced back to the German stage.
B. Fairy Tales
In addition, many of the fairy tales that have become staples of American childhood, such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel, were popularized by the German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in their collection, "Grimm's Fairy Tales" (Taylor 32). These stories have since been adapted into countless American movies, television shows, and books.
V. Conclusion
From bratwurst to Broadway, it is clear that German culture has left an indelible mark on American customs and traditions. As our nations continue to evolve, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the unique cultural exchanges that have shaped our shared history. As someone who has experienced both cultures firsthand, I can attest to the fact that the blending of these two cultures has only enriched our lives, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to influence one another in the future.”
Don’t freak out.
This is another technological revolution.
Everything will change.
For better and worse.
Help make it lean towards the former.