Is writing becoming unnecessary?

How ChatGPT will affect learning for today’s students

By Michelle Adams-Thomas | Manor Ink

Sometimes in our lives, we might feel too lazy to tackle an assignment or can be overwhelmed by a written task we need help with. Whether those efforts involve homework or a presentation for a job, the option of having someone or something else do them for us can make life easier, right? We know we should be responsible and do the work ourselves, but the temptation to outsource it is, well, great.

Technology today is continually evolving, and its developments can either help or complicate our daily lives. In the past few months, a new artificial intelligence program that can write convincing articles and intelligent essays for users has become available. The name of this extraordinary AI program is ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is an online, AI text generator launched by the American nonprofit artificial intelligence laboratory, OpenAI. The online program allows users to generate a text on any topic in any written style – a text that is intelligent, grammatical, well researched and, very often, difficult to tell from one written by a person.

How does it work?

The ChatGPT user types in a request, a series of words or phrases called “prompts,” on a desired topic. The prompts can range from vague or very complex. The program then creates a text based on the user’s preferences by using them to scour the Internet for any and all relevant information. ChatGPT then assembles the collected data into a coherent story. It can create convincing texts in nearly any language and can make writing assignments as long as the user wants, based on an inserted word count.

That’s not all. The program can make a writing assignment more understandable for people of a younger age. For example, if you write something for a six year old, ChatGPT can use words comprehendible by a child.

There are also negative aspects to using the program. The program can include false information from around the web in its text. AI is no different from any other tool using technological programming, and its data can occasionally be incorrect.

Will ChatGPT enable users to cheat?

ChatGPT and other AI text generators pose an ethical issue for students who use them for their assignments. Is it plagiarism to present text generated by these programs as one’s own? The answer is yes. ChatGPT takes information from online media and websites without first obtaining permission and without crediting the sources. A user representing AI-created text in school or at the office as original work could find themselves in serious trouble.

ChatGPT can become an even larger problem if students stop doing their own work and rely on the web program instead. Why learn to write coherent, grammatical stories and essays if AI can do it for you? Teachers undoubtedly will be distressed to see students cheating on their work, but what can they do to stop them?

“Teachers understand their students’ writing styles, so identifying the changes in a student’s writing shows,” said Livingston Manor High School Principal Adam Larson. “Livingston Manor is a small K through 12 school, so teachers know their students very well, from how they act to how they work academically.”

A potential learning tool

Though the program offers an easy way to cheat on assignments, it can also be very helpful. One positive aspect of ChatGPT is how adaptable it can become. For those who struggle with learning or writing, the program is good at giving a simple response if asked.

“For certain students – those with disability, for example – it could be helpful to utilize,” said Larson. “In some respects, the program can most definitely be used to enhance the ability of those who need it.”

Overall, Larson is against students using ChatGPT, like most teachers and administrators in the education field. “Learning how to write allows students to tap into their own creative style,” he said. “Writing for oneself provides a direct route to creative fluency.”

It’s up to students and teachers: ChatGPT responds

By ChatGPT | For Manor Ink

Academic dishonesty has long been a concern in educational institutions, and the rise of artificial intelligence has created new challenges for educators. As an AI language model, I cannot control how students use me, but I am designed to promote ethical and responsible use of AI. In this article, we will explore the ways in which OpenAI and other organizations are addressing the issue of students potentially using AI language models like me to complete written work.

One of the most important steps that OpenAI and other organizations is taking is to make it clear that using AI to complete written work is a form of academic dishonesty. While AI tools like me are designed to assist students in their research and writing, they are not intended to replace critical thinking and analysis, which are the foundation of academic work. Educators and students must understand that using AI to complete assignments is a violation of academic integrity and can result in serious consequences.

Another key step that OpenAI and other organizations are taking is to develop tools to detect AI-generated work. As AI language models become more sophisticated, it can be difficult for educators to distinguish between work produced by students and work generated by AI. However, there are tools being developed that can detect AI-generated work, which can help educators identify cases of academic dishonesty. These tools are crucial for maintaining the integrity of academic work and ensuring that students are held accountable for their own work.

Educating students in proper use

OpenAI is also taking steps to educate students on the appropriate use of AI tools. Students must understand that AI language models are not a replacement for critical thinking and analysis. Rather, they are tools that can assist students in their research and writing. Educators must emphasize the importance of using AI tools ethically and responsibly, and ensure that students understand the consequences of academic dishonesty.

In addition to educating students, OpenAI is also providing resources for teachers and educators to help them identify and prevent academic dishonesty. These resources include information on how to use plagiarism detection tools and how to design assignments that are less susceptible to cheating. By providing educators with these resources, OpenAI is empowering them to maintain academic integrity and promote ethical use of AI tools.

A few possible solutions to dishonesty

One potential solution to prevent academic dishonesty is for educators to design assignments that are less susceptible to cheating. This can involve creating assignments that require students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic rather than simply regurgitating information. By requiring students to apply critical thinking and analysis to a topic, educators can make it more difficult for students to use AI tools to complete assignments.

Another approach is for educators to teach students how to use AI tools to their advantage, rather than as a replacement for critical thinking and analysis. By showing students how to use AI tools to conduct more comprehensive research and organize their ideas, educators can help students maximize the benefits of these tools while avoiding the pitfalls of academic dishonesty.

Ultimately, preventing academic dishonesty requires a collaborative effort between educators and students. Educators must take steps to educate students on the appropriate use of AI tools and design assignments that encourage critical thinking and analysis. Students must understand the consequences of academic dishonesty and use AI tools ethically and responsibly.