Chat-GPT has become a tool of interest in a fast pace. It was launched on 30 November 2022 (Zhang et al., 2023) and is already widely used, by students for example (First, 2023). Chat-GPT is a natural language processing model that can participate in conversations, provide information and insights on a wide variety of topics. This tool connects well to the article of Lansiti and Lakhani (2020) which is discussed in the course. They explore how AI changes the traditional landscape of businesses and how these businesses leverage the value. Chat-GPT now does the same for the learning environment of students.
Judging from what I hear around me, students generally have positive experiences with the change of this learning environment towards an environment where there is more support by digital tools as Chat-GPT. Firstly, Chat-GPT helps students to understand complex economic theories that are discussed in the courses. Secondly, any type of information can be requested and Chat-GPT gives it very fast, reducing the search time that people would have spent on Google. Finally, Chat-GPT improves the critical thinking. Students always have to question the answers that Chat-GPT gives and have to be critical towards the truth of this.
Consequently, educational organizations could see this form of generative AI as a threat and a way for students to cheat on assignments according to Yang (2023). However, treating this innovation as a negative development is most likely not going to prevent students from using it, because detecting the use of this tool is very difficult (Yang, 2023). So teachers could look at this tool in another way: it can be used to improve the student’s learning curve and also learn students how to work with generative AI, which they can apply later in their career. Chat-GPT could even be a part of courses at universities for example.
In conclusion, maybe schools should not be afraid of generative AI tools and counter it, but use it to their advantage and guide students in the usage. Or to take it even further, maybe schools should even be more proactive in this and even promote the use of generative AI, as the tool will only be used more in the future and it will be beneficial for students to learn how to use it correctly.
Sources:
First, M. (2023). How Chat GPT Can Transform Autodidactic Experiences and Open Education?. Research Gate. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/9ge8m
Lansiti, M. & Lakhani, K.R. (2020). Competing in the Age of AI. Harvard Business Review.
Yang, H. (2023). How I use ChatGPT responsibly in my teaching. Nature Career Column, 1-4.
Zhang, B., Ding, D. & Jing, L. (2023). How would Stance Detection Techniques Evolve after the Launch of ChatGPT?. Shenzhen Technology University, 1-7.
The rapid rise in the popularity of Chat-GPT is indeed an intriguing development in the world of education, and your post raises important points about its impact on students’ learning experiences and critical thinking skills. I do agree that Chat-GPT has the potential to change how students engage with course materials and that universities should be proactive and adopt it into the curriculum. You also mention that Chat-GPT improves the critical thinking skills, however I do have my concerns on this topic. Do new students really improve their critical thinking skills from assessing what Chat-GPT gives them, instead of having to use your own skills? Do these student even have the skills to assess whether something is right or wrong, when they have not learned this before they got everything delivered by an AI generator? I am curious to see what the future holds, and whether these new generation students is still able to develop the critical thinking skills.
A really nice take on this pressing issue of chatgpt and education. However, as a fellow student- sometimes I feel it is more of a bane than a boon. When we say it gives us an anchor point or a way to start; I believe the contrary happens. We have become so reliant on this tool that complacency creeps in and we don’t even put an effort to put our thinking caps on. Human mind is extremely efficient, and we need to train it accordingly. Chatgpt doesn’t really let our creative juices flow by providing us a ready made answer and we just need to build on it or tweak it slightly. But yes, agreeing with Lisa, let’s see what the future and technology holds for us!