In recent years, technology has significantly changed various industries, including education. One of the most notable tools in this sector’s evolution is ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue (Hetler, 2024).
Benefits of ChatGPT use in Education
ChatGPT offers various ways to make educational content more accessible and easier to understand. As we all know, the tool can provide ideas, assist with homework, clarify concepts and many more. On top of that, it can also help with learning and memorizing content by, for example, preparing practice questions, quizzes or flashcards. ChatGPT offers a novel, interactive and personalized way of learning, while also being available 24/7 (Casvi, 2024). As such, the tool has the potential to revolutionize the learning experience for students. However, the following question arises: is it just a breakthrough or could ChatGPT really transform schools and universities?
Challenges and Controversies of Using ChatGPT in Education
While ChatGPT may have multiple advantages, there are also major controversies associated with its use in education. Firstly, performance, especially the accuracy of the information provided, and secondly, ethical concerns, such as the risk of plagiarism. Additionally, the chat tends to produce information based on nonexistent sources, which fortunately for teachers, is easy to catch (Verrax & Scheid, 2024). Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly harder to detect if ChatGPT has been used or not (Barshay, 2023). There is also the risk of over-reliance on the tool, which can potentially hinder the development of problem-solving and critical-thinking skills (Hasanein & Sobaih, 2023).
Assessing the Impact
ChatGPT does in fact have the potential to revolutionize the education sector by offering students personalized and accessible learning experiences. However, I believe that before it becomes a disruptive innovation and truly transforms educational institutions, the major problems must be eliminated. Additionally, lucky for schools, one should not forget the fact that the acquisition of new knowledge is fostered by social interaction, whether with professors or other students – something that so far ChatGPT cannot offer. This focus on the social aspect of education may give the educational institutions hope that they will not be too disrupted in the short term (De Felice et al., 2022).
References:
Barshay, J., & Barshay, J. (2023, August 31). PROOF POINTS: It’s easy to fool ChatGPT detectors. The Hechinger Report. https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-its-easy-to-fool-chatgpt-detectors/
Casvi. (2024, February 27). GPT Chat in Education: A new educational tool? – Casvi Tres Cantos. Casvi Tres Cantos. https://casvitrescantos.com/en/gpt-chat-in-education-a-new-educational-tool/
De Felice, S., De C Hamilton, A. F., Ponari, M., & Vigliocco, G. (2022). Learningfromothers is good,withothers is better: the role of social interaction in human acquisition of new knowledge. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 378(1870). https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0357
Hasanein, A. M., & Sobaih, A. E. E. (2023). Drivers and Consequences of CHATGPT use in Higher Education: Key Stakeholder Perspectives. European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education, 13(11), 2599–2614. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13110181
Hetler, A. (2024, July 31). What is ChatGPT? WhatIs. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/ChatGPT
Nerdynav. (2024, January 5). ChatGPT Cheating Statistics & Impact On Education (2024). Nerdynav. https://nerdynav.com/chatgpt-cheating-statistics/
Verrax, F., & Scheid, F. (n.d.). ChatGPT in education: breakthrough or disruptive innovation? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/chatgpt-in-education-breakthrough-or-disruptive-innovation-225379
Interesting subject. I would argue that ChatGPT will indeed turn out to be a disruptive innovation for education, however, the positive strongly outweighs the negative. As you remarked, the social aspect of schools is an important aspect of the student’s development. I would even argue that this is a school’s most important influence during the earlier years of education; children learn social customs, norms and values. Even in our phase, the final one, we still learn about collaborating with people different from ourselves.
While it is popular to fantasize about a dystopian AI-dominated future, I like to think that the tool will eventually increase productivity across all regions it touches. In education, children could get “AI prompt” classes at the start of their high school career. Teachers can anticipate on the usage of AI and challenge top students with larger and more interesting assignments. Curricula may focus on broader, more interesting topics due to the fact that all tedious tasks are no longer tedious (think programming).
To summarize, I’m certain GenAI will be a disruptive innovation in education, I just don’t think that’s a negative thing!
Interesting subject. I would argue that ChatGPT will indeed turn out to be a disruptive innovation for education, however, the positive strongly outweighs the negative. As you remarked, the social aspect of schools is an important aspect of the student’s development. I would even argue that this is a school’s most important influence during the earlier years of education; children learn social customs, norms and values. Even in our phase, the final one, we still learn about collaborating with people different from ourselves.
While it is popular to fantasize about a dystopian AI-dominated future, I like to think that the tool will eventually increase productivity across all regions it touches. In education, children could get “AI prompt” classes at the start of their high school career. Teachers can anticipate on the usage of AI and challenge top students with larger and more interesting assignments. Curricula may focus on broader, more interesting topics due to the fact that all tedious tasks are no longer tedious (think programming).
To summarize, I’m certain GenAI will be a disruptive innovation in education, I just don’t think that’s a negative thing!