To DO, or NOT to DO? That is the question.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is totally changing our society in every aspect. Teachers and schools have mixed feelings about the incorporation of AI in the learning process. According to the Learning Network article “Some school districts have already banned this new technology; others are attempting to teach students how to use it responsibly.” As a teacher, I have my concerns, but I am for using ChatGPT or other similar AI programs in a classroom rather than forbidding them. I accept the idea that the time we live in is an era of open technology and if used wisely AI programs can be beneficial for everyone, especially in helping students to improve their work efficiency.
The Learning Network article states two questions at the beginning, which have been a hot topic in every school since November 2022: “Is this new chatbot the end of education as we know it? Or a useful new tool for learning?” It is simple. The use of AI in classrooms is not going to destroy the traditional, human-to-human bond and what others consider a “meaningful connection” between teachers and students and neither it will not reduce students’ learning effectiveness if it is used correctly. Artificial Intelligence is not going to replace teachers or humans. It is all about the choices one decides to make. Most of the teachers reject the use of AI relying on the fact that the use of such programs is just additional tools for students to plagiarize on assignments. Now let’s be honest. In almost every school (not to say every classroom) there is a student who will probably always try using Google to copy material out of educational websites and present it as their work. However, there is a greater number of students who actually want to learn and want to move on by using the new technology programs for their work. So, as teachers, we cannot assume that AI will suddenly replace us and that every student will simply use it to cheat.
The majority of teachers did not even have the chance to be trained in these programs in order to find out the positive aspects of using AI in the classroom. Being against and trying to drive students away from such problems has influenced a lot of students to think that ChatGPT should not be considered a learning tool. Kaden a High School student states for the Learning Network that ChatGPT is a powerful tool and its use in schools is extremely useful “if it’s used productively” but he does not leave out the possibility that students might choose to show unethical behavior and abuse with it by cheating or coping whatever information the AI is providing to complete the homework. However Jonathan a High School student as well considers AI “dangerous for motivation and knowledge.” According to Jonathan writing can be way much better by the AI programs so students can question themselves what’s the point of writing when a bot does it better?” The same opinion with Jonathan shares Sergio, also a high schooler considers AI a bad learning tool because “students can become underdeveloped in their literacy skills — writing stories or essays.” However, I disagree with these statements because the use of AI and other programs has shown results in improving students’ reading and writing skills.
Using AI, a teacher can identify what areas students are having trouble, what are their strong reading or writing and which skills they need to work more on. Moreover, AI enables teachers to record each student’s unique needs and monitor their progress slowly as the school year goes on until the students have advanced and mastered the skills, they were lacking knowledge on. For instance, I am working with 5th and 6th graders this year and the school district uses a program for math and reading known as iReady which uses AI. At the beginning of the school year students take a placement test then with the help of Artificial Intelligence, iReady creates individualized learning plans for each student based on each student’s skills. AI helps the program to create personalized practice problems in math and reading based on their needs and creates pathways for each student to slowly strengthen their needs and accomplish the academic goal for the current school year. I personally, love seeing how much students have progressed since September nu using this program every day. This program is also very loved by students because all the lessons are fun and interactive and the students are engaged while developing their critical thinking skills and help students to become analytical readers.
As a teacher, I consider AI a tool that will boost students’ self-efficacy by assisting with their learning. As long as teachers learn how to incorporate adequately AI in the classroom and encourage students to use it wisely I see it very beneficial if schools embrace Artificial Intelligence in the Classrooms.
Hi Haka! I find it so fascinating that you included anecdotal evidence of the AI technology iReady, which allows students to gain personalized practice problems and study guides based on their specific needs. This alone is impressive, and it confirms the idea in my mind that these technologies, if appropriately utilized, can be used to help our students. While we would love to take the time to personalize study sheets for all our student’s individual needs, the reality is we do not have time. However, if we could use iReady to assist us, then all our students would be able to get personalized and specific attention that their teacher cannot give them due to time constraints. Additionally, I totally agree that websites and technologies that are fun and engaging should be kept in our repertoire because it can be hard to grab the attention of our students. So, if we use a technology that interests them, they will be more inclined to try it out. Overall, great job! Your students are lucky to have you!
Hi Haka!
I love the fact that you mention the idea of human connection, as well as the lack of training to use this tool. First of all, I agree with you that ChatGPT will not be replacing that student-teacher bond. In The NY Times article a student stated, “Personally yes, I used and experimented with ChatGPT and it is extremely useful for assignments. Not just because it answers all of your questions that you ask, but it completely destroys the use of tutors,” a comment I completely disagree with. Similar to your notion, there is no human connection in ChatGPT. A student needs real life feedback, personalized learning experiences, and detailed, accurate explanations that ChatGPT cannot provide. ChatGPT is very basic and sometimes unreliable in its answers, especially since it only provides data posted prior to 2022. This is outdated information, so students will need that human connection to help them.
Also, going back to your point on trainings, no one was equipped on how to incorporate this tool. Thus, it was met with fear and uncertainty, as people were unsure how to use it in the classroom, without promoting students to cheat. If we give trainings on how to create boundaries and lesson plans with students, ChatGPT can be a beneficial tool and like you said, we as educators should embrace it.