ChatGPT is a new, powerful, AI language model that is blitzing its way through the education system. Students have begun to use ChatGPT as it can write essays for them, help them research information quickly, and even write solid computer code to answer coding questions. This has led to a response from professors to try to ban ChatGPT in many contexts, using programs such as GPTzero to try and identify when students are using ChatGPT. However, while banning ChatGPT in certain specific contexts may be necessary for testing peoples’ knowledge, it shouldn’t be seen as a horrible tool. In fact, I believe it should be taught and (more importantly) allowed for use by students in many situations.
Why should students be allowed to use ChatGPT?
Allowing students to use AI language models like ChatGPT can have several benefits, including:
Improved writing skills: ChatGPT can help students improve their writing skills by providing real-time feedback on grammar, syntax, and vocabulary usage. This can help students identify areas where they need to improve and learn how to correct mistakes more effectively.
Personalized learning: ChatGPT can provide students with personalized learning experiences by tailoring the feedback and learning materials to their individual needs and learning styles. This can help students progress at their own pace and focus on areas where they need more practice.
Access to expert knowledge: ChatGPT has access to vast amounts of information and can provide students with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of topics. This can help students deepen their understanding of subjects and learn about topics beyond what is covered in their textbooks.
Increased efficiency: ChatGPT can save students time by quickly answering their questions and providing feedback on their work. This can help students complete assignments more efficiently and focus on other areas of their learning.
Overall, allowing students to use AI language models like ChatGPT can enhance their learning experiences and help them develop important skills for the future. However, it is important to ensure that students also receive guidance on how to use AI tools responsibly and ethically.
Oh and by the way, everything written above between “Why should students be allowed to use ChatGPT?”, and this paragraph was written by ChatGPT. Did you notice? It being somewhat hard to tell is what makes ChatGPT so powerful, and scary. However, it doesn’t mean it is bad.
When I first heard students in my class admitting they had been using ChatGPT for their assignments I was appalled. I felt that it was dishonest towards the professors and an insult to academic integrity. But then one of my classmates said “it’s not cheating, it’s using a resource available to me”. This didn’t sit right with me, as it is a common excuse people use when they actually are indeed cheating. That said, I still believe that it should be allowed for use by students, or even encouraged for use by professors, when doing things like research.
Ultimately I believe, as do many others, that ChatGPT should be treated the same way that Google is treated.
What do I mean? I believe that like Google, ChatGPT should not be allowed for use during tests or for writing papers, however it should be allowed for use when doing research, or for checking your work.
Why? Well they are very similar in terms of their functionality. Google can be used to find articles which answer a question after all. Google can give expert opinions. While google’s answers may not be personalized or unique in the same way that ChatGPT’s may be, they still are abundant. Thus, applying the same academic rule to each seems appropriate. Far more appropriate than saying it should never be used.
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