Chat GPT

Fascinating Or Frightening? 

Maybe Both

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

I'm always interested in the buzz but I am also skeptical. I don't jump on the newest shiniest thing in my personal life and I certainly don't jump on the bandwagon when it comes to education. I do however believe in being well informed and staying curious about what could help our students be best positioned for whatever the future holds for them. 

In case you have been living under a rock. Chat GTP is an artificial intelligence chatbot that was launched by Open AI in November of 2022. It has generated a ton of buzz in the education world because you can ask it to answer questions and even write papers. I saw a demonstration where a teacher asked it to write an essay about the thirteen colonies in the style of a third grader and citing two sources. In a matter of seconds the essay was written. There is also a fair amount of buzz from the education world in the positive column in terms of utilizing AI in the classroom. Teachers can generate models of writing for students to analyze and edit. It's far from perfect, and according to several news sources it will soon be behind a big paywall. 

Regardless of what you think, the notion of AI in schools is not a new one and most likely heading in our direction. It opens up many good topics for conversation. Should students do most of their writing in class? Does this help with equity since we know that students will means work with tutors, some of whom are writing papers for students? 

At any rate, I thought I would ask the chatbot to help me out by writing a post for educators on the benefits of AI in classrooms along with addressing the issue of cheating. Here's what it came up with.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the high school classroom has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn and teachers teach. Here are just a few benefits of incorporating AI into the classroom:

1. Personalized learning: AI can analyze data on each student's learning style and abilities, and adapt the curriculum to best suit their needs. This can lead to increased engagement and motivation for students, as well as improved academic performance.

2. Improved efficiency: AI can assist teachers with tasks such as grading assignments and providing feedback, freeing up more time for instruction and interaction with students.

3. Enhanced assessment: AI can provide immediate and accurate assessment of student work, allowing teachers to quickly identify areas where students need additional support.

4. Increased access to information: AI can provide students with instant access to vast amounts of information, expanding their knowledge and understanding of subjects.

While these benefits are significant, the use of AI in the classroom also raises concerns about cheating. To mitigate this risk, teachers can take the following steps:

1. Clearly communicate expectations: Clearly communicate expectations to students regarding the use of AI, and the consequences of cheating.

2. Monitor student work: Keep an eye on student work to ensure that they are completing it independently.

3. Use multiple forms of assessment: Use a variety of assessment methods, such as open-book exams, oral presentations, group projects, to ensure that students are demonstrating their knowledge in multiple ways.

4. Use plagiarism detection software: Utilize plagiarism detection software to check student work for plagiarism.

5. Be aware of the latest cheating techniques: Stay informed about the latest cheating techniques and be aware of how they might be used in the classroom. 

Overall, the incorporation of AI into the high school classroom has the potntial to significantly enhance the learning experience for students and teachers. By taking steps to mitigate the risk of cheating, educators can ensure that the benefits of AI are realized while maintaining academic integrity.