Artificial intelligence in the classroom

In the last 50 years, we went from long division to solving math problems with a calculator, from referencing a dictionary to using spellcheck and from memorizing information to being able to call it up instantly on a mobile phone.

The newest addition to this list: using tools like ChatGPT to write everything from essays to speeches. We’re living in a time when artificial intelligence is used by people in many fields to make tasks easier and complete them in less time.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a free artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that can answer questions and perform tasks like compiling a grocery list, having philosophical conversations or suggesting ideas for a creative art piece. Students are also using it to complete homework, make projects and write essays. The tool allows users to input a keyword or phrase related to the topic they need to write about and the program generates a response. However, when students don’t reveal their use of ChatGPT and/or their teachers don’t permit its use, that use can be an issue. It can even lead to accusations of academic misconduct.

How using it can go wrong

Students caught representing ChatGPT work as their own are subject to the Student Academic Code of Conduct. Just as AI is being used to help complete assignments, AI is being used by teachers and institutions to identify content written by AI (although not always reliably). Teachers can paste an item of writing into this checker and the tool will generate a prediction about whether it was AI-generated. But the checker can give false-positive results.

Another downside of ChatGPT is that the program does not know if the information it is producing is correct or not, it is just making predictions. Anything it produces needs to be checked for errors because it does things like make up citations for things that don’t actually exist.  

Using it responsibly

School is supposed to prepare us for the outside world, and if the outside world also relies on the internet and technological advancements like AI, students should be permitted to use programs like ChatGPT in the classroom. Teachers should train students to use AI effectively. At least, this is the argument put forth by students to justify their use of this program.

However, you need a certain knowledge foundation to use it properly. As the saying goes: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” School is meant to teach us the skills to learn, along with knowledge of the subject we are studying. It’s not only about what they teach us, but about improving our ability to learn. Writing an essay also means analyzing the topic and research materials, clearly articulating thoughts, using evidence, being coherent and fact checking claims – skills that are the backbone of laying out any type of explanation. We would be missing out on these skills if we allow an electronic brain to do the work for us.

Sometimes the idea of submitting an assignment without writing it yourself can be tempting. But when we uncritically outsource our work, we aren’t developing our own skills or understanding. We aren’t using our own thought processes. And what happens if the AI is not accessible that day? Use of AI without foundational knowledge or skills in a particular topic or field is a recipe for disaster. You need to have some basic understandings and skill sets to fact-check the output of an AI like ChatGPT. You need to be the quality control for the AI content you choose to use.

So how should I use it?

There are many ways we can use ChatGPT to excel in our studies. It is good at synthesizing information and making concepts easier to understand. All use of ChatGPT comes down to your ability to write “prompts.” Prompts are instructions entered into the ChatGPT interface to get responses. Prompts like “explain XYZ in simpler words” or “summarize this topic” can generate content to help you understand difficult questions or subjects.

When it comes to writing essays, the program can be used as a starting point to assist with generating ideas. We can ask the chatbot broader questions about a topic of interest and use its replies to narrow down our own thoughts. It can also be used to provide an outline for a paper, a base on which we can build up an essay of our own. ChatGPT can provide feedback, which can help a student check and improve an essay before submission. Try asking for unusual or counter takes on a topic you are writing about to learn different perspectives.

We should be thankful we have access to such astounding technology, but we should also remember that ChatGPT can only produce text based on what other human beings have already written. When incorporating AI content, make space for your own voice and experience – content no AI can reproduce. ChatGPT can write a poem but cannot write a poem about that special day you spent with your family that one summer. It is important to be able to think for yourself, generate your own opinions and recognize when you are wrong or missing something.

Becky Duarte is a first-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Digital Media Studies. She moved to Canada in January 2023 for the experience of studying abroad and living life outside India. She enjoys travelling, watching movies and playing board games.