ChatGPT – The assistant that changes our teaching
Since November 2022, hardly a week has gone by without the media reporting on the well-known chatbot ChatGPT from OpenAI. More and more journalists are asking themselves how ChatGPT will also influence our education system? For example, in the SRF report that I myself was able to support with my knowledge at the beginning of 2023.
How will the work of teachers and educators change? And how will students’ learning behavior change? In this article, I show some possible applications of ChatGPT in education and discuss the opportunities and risks of the new technology.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI. It uses the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) architecture to generate human-like responses in natural language conversations. ChatGPT is designed to provide interactive and context-aware dialogs and deliver coherent and relevant responses to user queries. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) methods to understand and generate text. With its advanced language capabilities, ChatGPT opens up new possibilities for automated communication and natural language understanding. You can find out more about what ChatGPT is in one of my last posts.
Practical examples: How is ChatGPT used in education?
The chatbot ChatGPT can be used in the context of education by pupils and students as well as by teachers.
ChatGPT for teachers
Teachers can use ChatGPT to get initial ideas for lesson content. The focus is not on prospective teachers having their teaching materials created by ChatGPT, but rather on future teachers being inspired by ChatGPT in order to gain ideas for their lessons.
Teachers can also ask ChatGPT for suggestions for possible examination tasks. It should be noted that students can also ask the chatbot for exam questions. Of course, this is not just about exam tasks, but also about ideas for homework or other tasks that can be generated with the help of ChatGPT.
Another useful application of ChatGPT for teachers is in the area of translations. Teachers can use ChatGPT to translate any number of texts into different languages.
In addition to the conventional ChatGPT applications, there are a large number of apps and tools based on ChatGPT that are available to teachers. For example, it is possible to create quiz chatbots with the help of eggheads.ai. These quiz chatbots can be used for spontaneous performance reviews.
ChatGPT for students
One of the most useful applications of ChatGPT for students is to ask for practice and exam questions. Pupils and students can use ChatGPT to obtain possible assignments and the corresponding solutions to prepare for their upcoming exam. This allows them to check their own knowledge and prepare themselves optimally for the upcoming exam.
Students can also use ChatGPT to create summaries. These summaries can be used as fact sheets or flashcards , for example. However, it is important to note that texts generated by ChatGPT should never be submitted as your own work. Pupils and teachers must continue to adhere to the rules of independent work.
Depending on the school subject and the language skills of the students, it may make sense to use ChatGPT for simple translations.
ChatGPT can also prepare existing content for different target groups. Students can ask ChatGOT to present complex texts or contexts in a simple form.
The limits of ChatGPT: What can it really do and what are its weaknesses?
As can be seen from the use cases, ChatGPT is particularly suitable for generating summaries and receiving tips for exam tasks.
However, when it comes to the targeted retrieval of knowledge, ChatGPT can quickly make mistakes. Numerous tests have shown that ChatGPT is not the best chatbot for mathematical tasks and also easily makes content errors in relation to history, geography, physics or other school subjects. Both students and teachers should therefore never rely solely on the answer provided by ChatGPT, but should consult other sources in case of doubt in order to obtain a well-founded and reliable answer.
Can artificial intelligence replace human teachers?
However, AI will not replace the fundamental role of the human teacher in the foreseeable future. Rather, it is conceivable that ChatGPT or similar chatbots could serve as a supplement for teachers. As a result, the demands on teachers and pupils are likely to change. If chatbots such as ChatGPT are able to generate texts, perform translations or create summaries, students and teachers could focus more on the actual content and direct their attention to it.
Security and data protection at ChatGPT
If pupils, students, teachers or educators use ChatGPT, they should be aware of the fact that all content of the chatbot can potentially be used for further training purposes and improvements of the known chatbot. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, can use the data entered by users. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you do not pass on any sensitive or sensitive information to the chatbot in order to protect your privacy and security.
Effects on the learning curve: Does ChatGPT really speed up the learning process?
ChatGPT will not simply accelerate the learning process; on the contrary, it can lead to an undesirable “dumbing down” of society if it is misused. It is crucial that we retain our common sense and continue to be able to think for ourselves and critically question content. ChatGPT can make certain parts of learning more efficient, but it must be used correctly and responsibly. In this context, skills such as prompt engineering can be advantageous to make the most of ChatGPT’s potential.
What impact will ChatGPT have on the educational landscape?
ChatGPT has the potential to continue to strongly influence and change the educational landscape. Here are some possible effects that could emerge in the future:
- Personalization of learning: ChatGPT and similar chatbots can provide individual learning paths and customized learning content tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each learner. This allows for a personalized learning experience where students can set their own pace and focus on their individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Accessibility and inclusion: By using chatbots such as ChatGPT, educational content and resources can be made accessible without barriers. People with different learning needs or disabilities can access support materials and interactive learning tools to enhance their learning experience.
- Extended support for teachers: ChatGPT can support teachers in the preparation of teaching materials, the creation of exercises and the individual support of students. By using chatbots, teachers can reduce their workload and focus on other important pedagogical aspects.
- Supplementing traditional teaching: ChatGPT can be used as an additional tool in the classroom to supplement and deepen learning. It can enable students to ask additional questions outside of class, obtain further information or expand their knowledge in a particular subject.
However, it is important to emphasize that ChatGPT cannot replace the human teacher. The role of the teacher remains essential to provide educational support, social interaction and individual attention. The integration of chatbots into the educational landscape requires careful planning to ensure that they are used effectively and ethically responsibly.
Conclusion
ChatGPT has already had a significant impact on our society and will continue to have an influence on the economy and society in the future. This also includes the education sector, which is influenced by ChatGPT. However, it is important to note that teachers cannot simply be replaced by a chatbot such as ChatGPT. If students use ChatGPT, they should use the tool responsibly and critically scrutinize the results. A general ban on the use of ChatGPT in an educational context is certainly not a solution.
For all those who want to use ChatGPT in education or teaching, here is a clear prompt list with the most important prompts for learning and teaching.
ChatGPT in education – Frequently asked questions & answers
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-based text generator developed by OpenAI. It can generate human-like texts and respond to questions and instructions in natural language.
How is ChatGPT used in education?
ChatGPT can be used as a virtual tutor to facilitate individualized learning, provide feedback on assignments, generate practice exercises, and serve as an interactive learning tool to answer student questions.
What are the advantages of ChatGPT in the classroom?
ChatGPT enables personalized learning by responding to individual student questions. It can allow students to learn at their own pace and can be a valuable tool for distance learning.
Are there any disadvantages or risks when using ChatGPT in education?
Yes, there are concerns about data privacy and the monitoring of students’ interactions with AI. There is also a risk of misinformation, as the AI can sometimes make mistakes.
Can ChatGPT replace a human teacher?
Although ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it cannot replace the human factor, personal influence and emotional support that a teacher provides. It should be seen as a supplement, not a replacement for human teachers.
What about the privacy and security of ChatGPT in education?
OpenAI has privacy policies and measures in place, but student interactions with ChatGPT require careful monitoring and regulation to ensure their privacy and safety.
What impact does ChatGPT have on the students’ learning curve?
It is believed that ChatGPT can improve the learning curve by allowing students to learn at their own pace and receive immediate feedback. However, further studies are needed to confirm this definitively.
