Using ChatGPT in (language) education: Answers from ChatGPT itself
Mia Tarau
First off, thank you, Jonathon, for starting this thread on the hottest topic in education these days. It has certainly sent us all into a frenzy – institutions and educators alike! It is changing processes involved in developing and marking assessment, and it is certainly generating hot debates in the teachers’ rooms across the world. One of my colleagues has even run our staff chat through ChatGPT to see how it would be judged – the verdict was ‘100% generated by humans’ (is this a compliment from AI? Who knows!).
You have already written an excellent introduction to the topic, with examples of how you could/would use this tool in your teaching practice. My initial plan for a response was to interview a work colleague who has recently done a presentation on ChatGPT at a professional development event, but I changed my mind at the last minute: I thought I would introduce ChatGPT and present its benefits and drawbacks based on ChatGPT’s own evaluation of itself. It has agreed to the interview, as the cover photo for this article clearly shows, so here we go – my interview with Chat GPT.
Hi ChatGPT, nice to meet you!
Hello! Nice to meet you too! How may I assist you today?
Would you agree to an interview on the use of ChatGPT in language and tertiary education settings?
Certainly! I would be happy to discuss the use of ChatGPT in language and tertiary education settings. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Thank you!
You're welcome! Please feel free to ask any questions you have on this topic. I'll do my best to provide helpful and informative answers.
1. What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a type of artificial intelligence language model developed by OpenAI. It stands for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer" and is based on the transformer architecture, a type of deep learning neural network.
ChatGPT was trained on a massive dataset of text from the internet, including books, articles, and websites, in order to learn how to generate human-like language. It has the ability to understand and respond to natural language input, making it useful in a wide range of applications, including language translation, chatbots, and text generation.
ChatGPT can generate text on a variety of topics, and its responses can be highly context-specific and sometimes even humorous. It has been hailed as a breakthrough in natural language processing and has been used in a variety of applications, including customer service chatbots, language translation, and even generating creative writing.
2. How can ChatGPT help with language teaching?
As a language model, I can assist with language teaching in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
Vocabulary Practice: I can provide students with a vast array of words and phrases to learn and practice their vocabulary. I can also offer sample sentences and contexts for each word, allowing students to better understand how to use them in conversation.
Grammar Instruction: I can provide clear explanations of grammar rules, including examples of correct and incorrect usage. I can also offer exercises for students to practice their grammar skills.
Pronunciation Help: I can help students with their pronunciation by providing audio recordings of words and phrases, and also by offering tips and tricks for improving their pronunciation.
Writing Assistance: I can help students improve their writing skills by offering suggestions for sentence structure, vocabulary, and overall clarity of their written work.
Conversational Practice: I can simulate conversations with students, providing them with opportunities to practice speaking and listening skills. I can also offer tips on common conversational phrases and cultural customs.
Overall, as a language model, I can offer a wide range of language learning resources and support to students of different levels and backgrounds.
3. What are the dangers of using ChatGPT in the language classroom?
While there are many benefits to using ChatGPT in the language classroom, there are also some potential dangers that should be considered. Here are a few examples:
1. Lack of Personalization: ChatGPT is a machine learning model that does not have the ability to tailor its responses to the individual needs and learning styles of each student. This lack of personalization can lead to a one-size-fits-all approach to language learning, which may not be effective for all students.
2. Lack of Context: ChatGPT generates responses based on patterns and probabilities in the data it was trained on. While it can provide useful information, it may not always understand the context of a student's question or provide relevant examples or explanations.
3. Overreliance on Technology: Relying solely on technology for language learning can lead to students becoming too dependent on it and not developing essential language skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
4. Inaccuracies and Biases: ChatGPT is trained on large datasets, which can sometimes contain inaccuracies and biases. These inaccuracies and biases can be perpetuated in its responses, potentially reinforcing stereotypes and incorrect information.
5. Lack of Human Interaction: ChatGPT is not a substitute for human interaction in language learning. Language learning requires real-world interactions with other people to develop communication skills, cultural understanding, and emotional intelligence.
It's important to keep in mind that ChatGPT can be a useful tool in language teaching, but it should be used in conjunction with other resources and not solely relied upon as the primary means of language instruction.
4. What are some ways in which ChatGPT could be useful in university assessment?
ChatGPT can be useful in university assessment in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
Automated Essay Scoring: ChatGPT can be trained to score essays based on criteria such as grammar, organization, and clarity. This can save time and resources for instructors who would otherwise have to grade essays manually.
Plagiarism Detection: ChatGPT can be used to compare student papers against a large database of existing texts to detect instances of plagiarism. This can help to maintain academic integrity and discourage students from plagiarizing.
Language Proficiency Testing: ChatGPT can be used to assess students' language proficiency in a variety of languages. This can be especially useful for language programs that need to evaluate large numbers of students quickly and efficiently.
Adaptive Testing: ChatGPT can be used to create adaptive tests that adjust the difficulty level of questions based on a student's previous answers. This can help to provide a more accurate assessment of a student's knowledge and skills.
Feedback and Assessment: ChatGPT can be used to provide personalized feedback to students on their writing assignments or other assessments. This can be especially useful for large classes where instructors may not have the time to provide individual feedback to each student.
Overall, ChatGPT can be a useful tool in university assessment, but it should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods and not relied upon as the sole means of evaluation.
5. What could be one of the most harmful ways to use ChatGPT in education?
One of the most harmful ways to use ChatGPT in education is to rely on it as the sole means of instruction or assessment. ChatGPT is a powerful language model, but it has limitations and should be used in conjunction with other resources and methods.
For example, relying solely on ChatGPT to teach a language may not provide students with the opportunity to practice their speaking and listening skills or to receive personalized feedback from a teacher. Similarly, relying solely on ChatGPT to assess student learning may not provide a complete picture of a student's knowledge and skills.
Additionally, if ChatGPT is used without proper supervision or monitoring, it can potentially perpetuate biases and inaccuracies that exist in the data it was trained on. This can be harmful to students and reinforce harmful stereotypes and misinformation.
Therefore, it's important to use ChatGPT in a thoughtful and responsible manner, with a clear understanding of its limitations and potential drawbacks. It should be used as a tool to supplement, rather than replace, traditional teaching and assessment methods.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
And that is it – ChatGPT’s advice on how to use ChatGPT in language education and tertiary education settings. Interesting to me was the way in which it kept switching between referring to itself as ‘I’ and ‘ChatGPT’.
Michael, what are your thoughts?