It is really important that we, as educators, do not make ChatGPT the enemy. We know that when we treat things like that, students will gravitate toward it and develop curiosity as to why it is so "bad". I liked how one of the articles explained that at one point in time, a calculator was the new technology. I was lucky to have balanced math teachers who taught me to use several ways, including a calculator, to complete math work. We can model and explore the good uses of ChatGPT with students and clearly demonstrate what cheating looks like. There is a difference between using ChatGPT as a tool versus using it to cheat. If a student has read a book and forgot what was in chapter 3, they can use it as a tool to recall information. It also can be used as a tool when you ask ChatGPT to generate an outline to write a compare/contrast essay. Then it is not writing the essay for the students, it is giving guides as to how to write an essay. It is also important that students are asked to complete tasks in the classroom in front of the teacher. The Regents exam gives prompts and students are required to recall information and write about it at length. We do not do enough of that kind of practice in the classroom.
One strategy I felt was especially helpful is that we are clear with students on expectations and including ChatGPT and other AI in that discussion is imperative. We can even be more specific as we clearly communicate what is and what is not acceptable in our class or our school. Communication is also a huge component to making connections with students and truly getting to know them and their voices. We had a student that used the word annihilation, which is not part of his/her vernacular. Upon further investigation, we found that he/she used ChatGPT to fully generate the assignment and we would not have known had we not known the student as well as we do! Lastly, I do not care what ChatGPT thinks about a subject. Instead, I want to know the thoughts, ideas, and the way my students analyze information. Communicating can help students see that I value what they say and think.
One strategy I felt was especially helpful is that we are clear with students on expectations and including ChatGPT and other AI in that discussion is imperative. We can even be more specific as we clearly communicate what is and what is not acceptable in our class or our school. Communication is also a huge component to making connections with students and truly getting to know them and their voices. We had a student that used the word annihilation, which is not part of his/her vernacular. Upon further investigation, we found that he/she used ChatGPT to fully generate the assignment and we would not have known had we not known the student as well as we do! Lastly, I do not care what ChatGPT thinks about a subject. Instead, I want to know the thoughts, ideas, and the way my students analyze information. Communicating can help students see that I value what they say and think.