National Survey Shows Teachers Are More Accepting of ChatGPT Than Students
A recent national survey conducted by Impact Research has revealed that teachers are becoming increasingly accepting of ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot. The survey, commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation to track attitudes about STEM education, showed a slight shift in perceptions towards the AI tool.
The findings indicate that both Americans and teachers, in particular, are starting to recognize the potential of incorporating AI tools like ChatGPT into K-12 education. According to the researchers, they have already witnessed how ChatGPT is assisting students with their learning.
Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a contrasting trend between teachers and students. While 73% of teachers and 61% of parents view the chatbot favorably, only 54% of students share the same sentiment. These results indicate that parents are now more open to the idea of integrating AI technology in education than teachers.
The survey also noted a steady increase in the number of students using ChatGPT for schoolwork. In February, the figure stood at 33%, but it has since risen to 42%. However, teachers seem to be leading the way, with 63% of them reporting that they have utilized the chatbot in their classrooms. This demonstrates a significant increase from the previous survey conducted in February, when only 50% of teachers were incorporating the tool. Additionally, 40% of teachers have reported using ChatGPT at least once a week.
Teachers who have adopted ChatGPT have overwhelmingly praised its impact on their classes, with 84% stating that it has had a positive influence. Sixty-one percent of these teachers also believe that the chatbot will have significant educational applications that cannot be ignored.
The survey also explored parental perspectives on ChatGPT, with 64% expressing the belief that teachers and schools should allow its use in schoolwork. Furthermore, 28% of parents even go as far as to say that they should actively encourage its use.
It is worth noting that concerns have been raised regarding ChatGPT. There are ongoing investigations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission into whether OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has potentially compromised personal data and reputation. OpenAI is also facing lawsuits from authors, including comedian Sarah Silverman, who claim that their copyrighted works were improperly used to train the AI program. Each lawsuit is seeking damages amounting to nearly $1 billion.
Despite these concerns, the survey findings indicate a growing acceptance and recognition of the benefits of incorporating AI chatbots like ChatGPT into the education system. The conversation around AI in education continues to evolve, and these findings shed light on the changing attitudes towards integrating AI tools for student learning.
