ChatGPT is a new AI-powered technology that has allowed students to quickly and conveniently generate answers to homework and exam questions. High school teachers and administrators in the Bay Area are now facing questions regarding AI technology with no existing guidance to answer these questions. Laura Dudnick, a representative from San Francisco Unified School District, informed KQED that the district does not currently offer any guidance for students regarding ChatGPT.
High school teacher Aristotle Rosenberg is concerned with how the technology may affect his students and the level of plagiarism that may come from using it. He fears that students may not develop the same level of reading and writing skills due to the level of convenience that ChatGPT provides. Frank Worrell, a professor of school psychology from UC Berkeley’s School of Education, also worries that ChatGPT may leave some students unprepared for college if they exclusively use the technology to complete writing assignments.
Although the implications of AI technology are worrisome, some students have found creative ways to use it to their benefit. For example, some students have used the technology to generate mock questions to help them study for a quiz. However, Worrell suggests that teachers should allow students to complete assignments using both their own writing without the assistance of AI technology, as well as incorporating ChatGPT into the task. This will provide students with the opportunity to identify the limits of using the technology while developing their reading and writing skills. Furthermore, open dialogue between teachers and students is essential to build trust between each other and maintain a successful educational system.
Overall, it’s important for Bay Area students to comprehend the implications of AI technology and recognize the limitations that come with it. ChatGPT has already been adopted in other schools around the US and it is important for schools in the Bay Area to generate policies and procedures that protect students from academic dishonesty and develop their reading and writing skills.
