From My Guest Post: Using ChatGPT in the Writing Process

 

Using ChatGPT in the Writing Process

I’ll admit, my first reaction to AI authors was a mixture of horror and fascination, akin to my reaction to a natural disaster.

However, as more information and examples have been shared, I have come to accept AI tools as the way of the future. Look at chatbots as spelling/grammar check 3.0. If spell check was the first generation of computer-assisted writing, and Grammarly was 2.0, chatbots are a natural leap into the future. They are not going away. Rather than work to ban them (a futile exercise), how can teachers embrace this new technology? Furthermore, what is the role of education in preparing students for a future in which chatbots exist, for better or for worse?

Read more...

AI? Oh My!

Weekly, nay daily, more people are handwringing over the latest development with AI, specifically ChatGPT.

Is it warranted? Is it wise? 

I asked ChatGPT to help me with this article as a means to evaluate and educate about AI in the wild and in the classroom.

Prompt 1: Write one paragraph of professional-sounding text defining ChatGPT.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a cutting-edge natural language processing model developed by OpenAI. It utilizes a deep learning technique known as transformer architecture, which allows it to process and understand human language in a highly accurate and efficient manner. With its ability to generate human-like text, ChatGPT can be used in a variety of applications such as chatbots, language translation, and text summarization. Additionally, it has been fine-tuned on a diverse range of texts, enabling it to have a broad understanding of various topics and industries. Overall, ChatGPT represents a major advancement in the field of natural language processing and has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology.

Simply conversing with the chatbot is just the beginning of what is possible with this technology.

 Several in the education space are writing about the possibilities, which include aiding teachers, such as lesson plan generation and differentiation, and students, including support for exceptional learners and students learning in a language other than their native language. 

Prompt 2: What are some uses for AI in the classroom?

ChatGPT: There are many potential uses for AI in the classroom, including:

1. Personalized learning: AI can be used to create individualized learning plans for each student based on their strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
2. Automated grading: AI can be used to grade student work, freeing up teachers' time for other tasks.
3. Tutoring: AI-powered tutors can provide students with personalized support and feedback.
4. Language learning: AI can be used to create interactive language-learning tools and activities.
5. Content creation: AI can be used to generate new educational materials such as worksheets, quizzes, and tests.
6. Adaptive testing: AI can be used to adjust the difficulty of tests based on students' performance.
7. Managing student behavior: AI can be used to monitor students' behavior and provide early warning signs of potential issues.
8. Monitoring student's engagement and providing feedback
9. Automating administrative tasks such as attendance tracking, assignment submissions, and grade management
10. Enhancing virtual and remote learning experiences.

Kasey Bell pointed out on a recent podcast that students are going to use this tool; therefore, teachers must be there to guide them in the proper and most powerful uses. 

Likewise, Jethro Jones and Damon Hargraves astutely pointed out, "If we are giving writing assignments, we're in trouble. If we're teaching writing, this is another tool." It is a powerful tool indeed. 

Prompt 3: list 3 blog articles about ChatGPT in education

ChatGPT: I'm sorry, as an AI model, I don't have the capability to search the internet for specific blog articles, however, I can recommend you some key phrases that you can use to find the information you are looking for.

• "Using ChatGPT in education: personalized learning and language teaching"
• "ChatGPT in the classroom: automating grading and creating interactive educational materials"
• "ChatGPT in e-learning: enhancing virtual classrooms and remote teaching"

You can use these phrases in search engines like Google or Bing, or in education-related blogs, websites or forums to find the articles you are looking for.

In summary, ChatGPT is a cutting-edge natural language processing model developed by OpenAI that can process and understand human language in an accurate and efficient manner. 

It has the ability to generate human-like text and can be used in various applications such as chatbots, language translation, and text summarization. The model has been fine-tuned on diverse texts and broadly understands various topics and industries. 

In the field of education, ChatGPT can be used for personalized learning, automated grading, tutoring, language learning, content creation, adaptive testing, managing student behavior, monitoring student engagement, automating administrative tasks, and enhancing virtual and remote learning experiences.

 The potential of the technology is vast, and educators must be there to guide students in the most effective uses of the tool. It is a powerful tool for teaching writing, and it is important to remember that AI can be used as a tool, but it is not a replacement for teaching. (1)(2)

1. Final paragraph generated by: ChatGPT. https://chat.openai.com/chat. 2023.
2. Edited with Grammarly.

3. All art generated using DALL-E.

Quick Tip: Canva, Bitmoji, and Stickers, Oh My!

 Here is a quick tip that has grown from my utilization of the robust tools in Canva. For this mashup, pair Canva with Bitmoji to create customizable feedback stickers. You can use digital stickers as feedback for online assignments, or even print them on sticker paper and cut them out to use on physical copies of assignments. Enjoy this personalized touch today!

Bonus tip: If you have a Cricut machine, you can upload your stickers, use the offset setting, then print and cut to make even fancier stickers to use on student feedback and communication.