It is difficult, if not impossible, to talk about education today without the use of technology. From the practicality of touchscreen learning, to “blended” learning, to virtual learning at home, technology is a wonderful asset that is here to stay.
And yet, along with integrated technology comes unmitigated and constant innovation…a process that is oft-rued by educators for its suggested change to practiced norms while requiring additional work and discovery. However, the invention of new technology is not unprecedented, nor is its integration into education.
In 1922, Thomas Edison famously said, “The motion picture is destined to revolutionize our educational system…In a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely, the use of textbooks.” In 1931, U.S. Commissioner of Education William Cooper began a radio section in the U.S. Office of Education. A year later, many states were broadcasting educational programs, claiming to offer “a textbook by air.” Further development of the desktop computer, laptops, etc, have all made claims to overtake the educational structure as we know it today.
On September 4, 1998, Google was launched, and, by the early 2000’s, the platform began to seriously influence the educational model as students gained access to experts from around the world, no longer dependent solely on their teachers for learning. Additionally, students were freed from only learning in the classroom, making the “flipped classroom” model popular in 2010.
Enter ChatGPT. On November 30, 2022, OpenAI launched a developed chatbot that, based on a large language model, can refine and direct a conversation on any topic within a desired length, format, and level of detail. Of course, the integration into education was quickly applied, as students began to use the resource for a variety of subjects and purposes, while faculty scrambled to update syllabi and writing requirements.
What once was considered to be a highly-innovative and strategic method of learning–the flipped classroom–has now been relegated to nearly unusable. For decades, teachers have creatively tried to designate more class time for student activities, discussion, and exploration by assigning concept study or writing assignments for completion at home. Well, ChatGPT turns illegitimate writing into a quick and easy process. The temptation of Wikipedia and piecemeal plagiarism has existed for 20+ years, but has never been so accessible and efficient with such illustrious fabrication. Additionally, the negative component of ChatGPT essays is that the results often contain minor errors and a lack of meaningful, processed thought…errors that perfectly match much of student writing anyway.
In a recent study published in early 2023, it was found that nearly 30% of 1,000 college students use ChatGPT on written homework, despite three out of four users recognizing it to be cheating.
So, what is the answer? Outlaw computers and all technology from our students, forcing them to write only on parchment with ink-dipped quill pens? Quite the contrary. Since the development of the motion picture in 1922, it has been paramount for both educators and the structure of education to do just that…educate. We must train and produce students that grow in their development to think and learn–all while using the tools and technology that is available to them in their generation.
So how can we combat the dishonest tendencies of AI in the classroom? A commitment back to the basics. Bring writing back to the classroom. Implement a cycle of various assignments and learning assessments to challenge the student to think, write, and reason in a unique way–highlighting their strengths and fostering their weaknesses.
In the end, the development of ChatGPT and AI may not be entirely bad–as has been the case for most technology improvements. Quite possibly, we can return to the practical benefits of classroom teaching and instruction that force students to focus on their writing in a structured, supervised environment. Writing assignments given in class can lead to meaningful minutes of discussion and critical-thinking, while outsourcing topics to ChatGPT for further insight or grammatical consistency.
After nearly twenty years of technological advances promoting the growth of student learning outside the classroom, it may be time to bring much of that exploration and writing application back to base. A base that contains a whiteboard and four poster-ladened walls, whose subjects and content are monitored closely by a loving, teaching professional.
Written by Jon Knoedler, BBCS Administrator