Working With ChapGPT

Understandably, every teacher is wondering what to do about AI programs like ChatGPT. I suggest we use this quote as a guide: “Change is constant. You can't stop change, control change, or perfectly plan for change. But you can ride the waves of change, partner with change, and shape change” (adrienne maree brown).

We have two options: We can fight AI by blocking access, or we can work with it to supplement teaching and learning. Option #2 might be a better use of our time.

Let's start with how ChatGPT can save teachers time and effort.

ChaptGPT thinks in a linear, impersonal fashion. The program sifts through several terabytes of data to answer a question. If you are wondering, 1 terabyte holds the same amount of data as 1 million floppy disks. Like many of you, I can remember floppy disks. A million floppy disks is a whole lot of information. Why not use it our advantage?


According to Andrew Herft, teachers can use ChatGPT to achieve the following outcomes:


Prior Knowledge

  • Assign a ChatGPT inquiry to build students' background knowledge of a concept

Checks for Understanding

  • Ask ChatGPT to generate formative assessment questions to inform instruction or monitor student progress; these questions can be used as low stakes quizzes and enter or exit tickets

Exemplars and Models

  • ChatGPT can provide examples of processes, concepts, and high-quality responses to prompts.
  • The program can also create exemplars or models. For example, ChatGPT can create annotated work samples that show novice, proficient, and exemplary work. Try this question: "Generate an annotated work sample for a persuasive writing task that compares a novice essay to a proficient essay?"

Discussion Questions

  • Ask ChatGPT to generate open-ended and summary prompts
  • ChatGPT can create questions that encourage critical thinking and reflection.

Assessments and differentiation strategies:

  • "Generate a list of 5 alternative assessment methods that could be used to assess students' understanding of (concept)."
  • "Create a list of 5 teaching strategies that could be used to engage and challenge students of different ability levels in a lesson on (concept)."

The elephant in the room (or blog) is that students will cheat using ChatGPT.

Valid concern. In many ways, this issue mirrors the problem of teens and technology use. We can't fight it. Well, we can, but chances are good that we won't win. Instead, we need to work with it.

Educate Students:

Use ChatGPT and other AI programs with students so they understand how to use these tools ethically and productively. Create assignments that use ChatGPT as a resource to supplement learning~

  • If students have writers' block, ChatGPT may help them generate ideas.
  • The program can write drafts for students to revise and evaluate content.
  • Students can create questions for retrieval practice or a study guide.

Help students understand ChatGPT capabilities so they learn that AI cannot replace their thinking~

  • AI cannot evaluate information for accuracy and relevance.
  • AI cannot synthesize ideas.

  • AI lacks a personal voice, imagination, and empathy.
  • AI is convincing but not flawless. AI is essentially making up information and as a result, will convey incorrect ideas.

Transform Assignments:

  • Focus more on process than end product
  • Require connections to students' lives
  • Encourage metacognition
  • Ask students to reflect and/or synthesize
  • Replace traditional writing assignments with performance tasks; think UDL and multiple means of expression. The UnEssay is a great place to start.
  • Use mind maps or graphic organizers for prewriting and drafting


John Spencer's blog post, The Future of Writing in a World of Artificial Intelligence, offers an interesting perspective on cheating.

He uses Matt Miller's graphic from his book Ditch that Textbook to help teachers see cheating as a continuum. Worth considering.



For more information, consider these resources:

References:

Alby, C. ChatGPT: Understanding the New Landscape and Short-Term Solutions

Brooks, D. In the Age of A.I., Major in Being Human

Herft. A. A Teacher's Guide to ChatGPT

Stachowiak, B. Teaching in Higher Ed Podcasts

Warner, J. Freaking Out About ChatGPT

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