What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that focuses on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In the educational context, AI offers exciting opportunities to enhance teaching and learning, streamline administrative processes, and personalize education for students.
What is Chat GPT?
The following is a definition of ChatGPT, provided by ChatGPT on 1/3/2023: “CHATGPT is a variant of the GPT (Generative Pre-training Transformer) language model, which was developed by OpenAI. GPT models are trained to generate human-like text by predicting the next word in a sequence based on the words that come before it. ChatGPT is specifically designed to be used in chatbots and conversational systems, and it is trained on a large dataset of human conversations to learn how to generate appropriate responses in a variety of contexts” (Montclair State University).
What can Generative AI Tools do?
What Chat GPT can do:
“What is Chat GPT Explained: OpenAI’s Chat GPT Explained”. How It Happened. December 14, 2022. (Video link)
- Respond to prompts and questions
- Summarize and synthesize information
- Revise and edit content
- Generate creative works like musical compositions, stories, jokes, and poems
- Write and correct code
- Manipulate data
- Play games (University of Pittsburgh)
What Packback can do:
“How Do Instructors Use Packback?”. Packback. May 18, 2020.(Video link)
- Provide real-time AI-based writing feedback for students
- Help students choose credible, academic sources
- Detect plagiarism on discussion posts or writing assignments
- Conduct instant analysis of text
- Support LTI integrations for both SSO and Gradebook sync
- Provide accessible and secure experiences for all learners (Packback)
What are Chat GPT’s Limitations?
- They are unable to distinguish fact from opinion or identify if information is true or false.
- They do not search the internet or access databases and may make up information to provide a response.
- Inability to respond to recent events due to limitations of data input. Chat GPT has limited knowledge of information after 2021, for example.
- Language models are not trained for symbolic reasoning, aka critical thinking (Louisiana State University).
AI Checkers
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| AI Text Classifier by OpenAI | A free tool recently released by the creators of ChatGPT and in-progress |
| AI Writing Check | A free service provided by nonprofit organizations Quill and CommonLit. |
| GPTZero | A free tool created by a college student to help educators |
| Writer’s AI Content Detector | A free resource created for web designers (with limitations) |
How to cite ChatGPT
In this article, you’ll learn how to gather feedback on using and citing ChatGPT in academic work. It explores how students and researchers can use ChatGPT to generate text or assist with research, without relying on it to write the entire paper. The article also covers different instructor opinions and emphasizes the importance of following instructor guidelines when writing academic papers.
Learn more
Faculty Education about ChatGPT
- Understanding AI Writing Tools and their Uses for Teaching and Learning at UC Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
- A Teacher’s Prompt Guide to ChatGPT aligned with ‘What Works Best’ (CESE NSW “What Works Best in Practice)
- Designing Assignments in the ChatGPT Era (Inside Higher Ed)
- ChatGPT & Artificial Intelligence – Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (Library Guides at Centennial College)
- Information and Resources Regarding ChatGPT (Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning or CEETL)
- What College Faculty Should Know about ChatGPT (LSU)
- ChatGPT – Resources for Faculty LibGuides at (Gustavus Adolphus College)
- Resources for exploring ChatGPT and higher education (Bryan Alexander)
- ChatGPT Resources for Faculty (Research Guides at Eastern Kentucky University)
- ChatGPT and AI Resources for Faculty (LibGuides at Loma Linda University)
- How will AI chatbots like ChatGPT affect higher education? (University of Rochester)
- ChatGPT Resources for Faculty (University Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Pittsburgh)
- Resources on ChatGPT/AI and Education (Curated content on ChatGPT/AI by Instructional Designer, Dr. Heather M. Brown)
- Artificial Intelligence Tools for Research and Writing (Texas Tech Libraries LibGuide)
- In the Age of ChatGPT, What’s It Like to Be Accused of Cheating? (Drexel News at Drexel University)
- AI, Academic Integrity, and Authentic Assessment: An Ethical Path Forward for Education (Anthology)
- Professor Mollick’s Substack (One Useful Thing)
Newsletters
- AI and the Future of Writing Instruction (Campus Technology Insider Podcast)
- How Artificial Intelligence is Impacting Higher Education (Teaching Inside Higher Ed)
- Has AI reached the point where a software program can do better work than you? (NPR)
- Did Artificial Intelligence Just Get Too Smart? (The New York Times The Daily)
- Teaching Writing in an Age of AI (Teaching In Higher Ed)
Other Resources
ChatGPT and AI in the News
- Generative AI and Copyright: An Interview with Jonathan Band (Association of Research Libraries)
- AI Bots Can Seem Sentient. Students Need Guardrails (Inside Higher Ed)
- ChatGPT Advice Academics Can Use Now (Inside Higher Ed)
- Scores of Stanford students used ChatGPT on final exams, survey suggests (The Stanford Daily)
- Ten Facts About ChatGPT (TeachOnline.ca)
- Don’t Blame Students for Using ChatGPT to Cheat (The Nation)
Podcasts about AI in Higher Education
- AI and the Future of Writing Instruction (The Campus Technology Insider Podcast)
- How Artificial Intelligence is Impacting Higher Education (Teaching Inside Higher Ed)
- Has AI reached the point where a software program can do better work than you? (NPR)
- Did Artificial Intelligence Just Get Too Smart? (The New York Times The Daily)
- Teaching Writing in an Age of AI (Teaching In Higher Ed)
AI Policies in Higher Ed
- GPT-4 Is Here. But Most Faculty Lack AI Policies. (Inside Higher Ed)
- Proposal of Usage Guidelines for AI Generative Tools at CU (College Unbound)
- UC Berkeley AI Policy Hub (Berkley)
Videos
FAQs
How can I implement tools like ChatGPT in my teaching?
- Generate responses to common student questions or emails.
- Create test questions or test question answer options.
- Draft lesson plans or assignment instructions.
- Generate feedback comments to create a comment bank for assignments.
- Create examples or samples for students to compare their own work to or analyze.
- Walk students through how to use ChatGPT like a sophisticated version of Grammarly to revise and edit their writing.
- Demonstrate how to use ChatGPT as a basic tutoring tool to help students get explanations for confusing concepts.
- Use ChatGPT to give students’ real-time feedback on their writing in language learning classes. (Eastern Kentucky University)
- Some instructors seek to craft assignments that guide students in surpassing what AI can do. Others see that as a fool’s errand—one that lends too much agency to the software (Inside Higher Ed)
What is the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Education?
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform education in numerous ways:
- Personalized Learning
AI-powered systems can analyze students’ learning patterns and tailor educational materials to meet individual needs. This promotes engagement and improves learning outcomes. - Administrative Efficiency
AI can automate administrative tasks such as grading, scheduling, and data analysis, freeing up time for educators and staff to focus on more meaningful activities. - Enhanced Accessibility
AI-driven tools can provide support for students with disabilities, including real-time text-to-speech, speech recognition, and more, creating an inclusive learning environment. - Data-Driven Insights
AI can process large volumes of data to identify trends and provide insights for better decision-making, allowing institutions to adapt their strategies and resources.