Students and Teachers will be STUNNED by ChatGPT – Part 2

Students and Teachers will be STUNNED by ChatGPT – Part 2

by Dr Jonathan Cooley

Thomas Friedman announced “The World is Flat” in his popular book on the effects of globalization and the digitization of business and social life. Disney knew this years ago with “It’s a small world after all”. As with the introduction of the calculator, Google or Baidu, and smartphones, students have access to an increasingly immense amount of resources and information in academic pursuits.

With such great power comes greater responsibility for both students and teachers. The question arises whether or not to use external resources, such as calculators, search engines, smartphones, ChatGPT, or other AI (Artificial intelligence). In this article, we will further explore how students and teachers can utilize ChatGPT and AI without appearing to cheat or plagiarize or cheat.

With ChatGPT and AI tools, we have moved from the age of knowing information to that of knowing HOW to ask the RIGHT questions. And this skill is essential in the art of critical thinking.

ChatGPT and AI tools can be valuable for any university student; however, some schools are outlawing their use! The ChatGPT AI language model can provide useful insights and information on a variety of topics. This makes it an excellent aid for studying, but also in producing content – whether written or visual. That said, it is crucial to recognize that ChatGPT is not a replacement for additional research and independent thinking. Much like the calculator or a search engine, It is simply a tool to use in conjunction with personal efforts to enhance academic accomplishments. Therefore, it is essential to know when and how to use ChatGPT effectively.

First and foremost, university students can use ChatGPT to clarify concepts they may not understand. Often referred to as Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), these AI technologies can serve as an augmentation to the information received from lectures, textbooks, and other sources. It is important to note that utilizing ITS primarily to clarify issues can improve a student’s understanding of a subject, leading to less dependency on the service and more independent thought.

Another way that ChatGPT can be beneficial to university students without appearing to cheat is by using it to develop innovative ideas. AI models, while comprehensive, do not possess the creativity and original thinking required of students in their research papers and projects. However, students can utilize ChatGPT to brainstorm new ideas that they can then develop into unique concepts. This use will allow individuals to create more original works while still taking advantage of the tool.

One important aspect to note when using ChatGPT as a university student is to credit the source (ChatGPT) in any research or writing. Many students may hesitate to use AI language models, fearing that they will be accused of plagiarism. However, if students properly reference ChatGPT in their work, they demonstrate the process of research that led to their conclusions. This use of AI models in research will allow for more in-depth analysis and sophisticated writing.

It is also important to consider the potential ramifications of inappropriate ChatGPT use, as it could lead to lapses in academic integrity. The best advice is to approach the chatbot as an additional research tool to utilize properly and effectively. It is essential not to rely solely on the responses received but instead to complement them with independent research to ensure originality and avoid plagiarism.

As the ethics of AI evolve, universities worldwide are also paying more attention to the matter. For example, institutions, including Purdue University, are developing their AI-powered programs that help to teach and provide research opportunities for their students, emphasizing hands-on educational opportunities and developing a working knowledge of Intelligent Tutoring Systems.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that can aid university students in achieving their academic goals, but it’s important to use it appropriately and ethically. By leveraging the available AI technologies in tandem with individual efforts to understand the course materials, students can enhance their understanding and develop better research outcomes. Though maintaining academic integrity can be a challenge, it can be accomplished by recognizing when and how to utilize intelligent tutors effectively. With the right mindset and approach, students can benefit from ChatGPT without compromising their academic integrity.

…and PS: This article was written with the aid of ChatGPT but is NOT plagiarized.

Some additional references:

1. Study: Sørensen, H. E., & Jensen, T. B. (2019). Chatbots as a New Way of Interaction with Information: A Study of User Satisfaction and Behavior. Journal of Information Science, 45(1), 23-34.

2. Article summarizing the study: Kretzschmar, K. (2019). Study reveals users consider chatbots as an authoritative source. Chatbots Magazine. https://chatbotsmagazine.com/study-reveals-users-consider-chatbots-as-an-authoritative-source-710311364f08

3. Press release from the University of Southern Denmark, where the study was conducted: University of Southern Denmark. (2019, February 14). Study shows: Chatbots are an important source of information. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190214100039.htm