I saw a teacher complain that ChatGPT has led to students submitting papers full of mediocre ideas with perfect grammar and I can’t get over how spot-on that description is.
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It’s the Co-pilot era now. I suspect we’re heading toward a bifurcated testing world in academia, hiring, certifications, etc. Either fully embrace AI augmented work (focus on collaboration/results) OR invest heavily in controlled, in-person evaluations (focus on base competency).
Sometimes you give them all the time in class to write the assignment and never have to do it at home and they still cheat because they'd rather do something else in class or because their parents care more about the grade than the learning.
I went on a rant yesterday on a subject incredibly similar to what OP is talking about and the assignment that my student cheated on was one they had all of the writing time for in class.
I’ve heard this a few times and think that this thought is mediocre. Tools like ChatGPT are here. People are going to use it. I heard the same nonsense when I I used to type my papers and using a grammar checker in high school instead of writing them longhand.
Exactly ... what I'd love to see is how educators can adapt to this new reality and foster good/brilliant ideas, rather than focusing on rote details like grammar.
I’m interweaving it into a PR course I’m designing rn. They will use it in the real world. We have to take opportunities to teach how to use ethically + the privacy risks. (And I’m starting to think maybe also teach the carbon footprint bc sheesh!)
Mediocre and not even connected to course materials. You can spot it from a mile away. It’s made me relish the authentic papers with typos and grammatical mistakes!
The problem is that it's a lot harder to prove than the days when they used to just copy and paste off the internet. And it's a waste of instructor time not giving kids meaningful feedback on their writing and build a case.
Please enlight us about this adaptation?
And take the opportunity to explain why do we even need teachers in these wonderful times, when anyone can simply ask anything to an AI?
Also, how does a person even become a teacher?
I agree that AI is a tool that students need to learn to use, but I’m struggling with where the line is between using tools and actually learning the fundamental skills and doing their own work.
Okay maybe I should’ve thought better when I posted. (Didn’t drink coffee first beforehand)
My point is if teacher is complaining about mundane idea student has, then they shouldn’t be teachers. Students nowadays have mundane ideas then ever before because they’re glued to the screen…..
….. and complaining about it is discouraging them to open their minds.
As for AI, teachers should be embracing it as a learning tool. Obviously, they need to make sure they don’t use it as own work. (That’s like stealing art via generative AI) AI is hear to stay, and not adapting to it…..
…… or embracing will make teacher look old school and a tyrant to students of today. Sad that this is what has come to in today’s age where students attention span is so rotted out due to screen time.
Years ago I made the case that I didn't CARE about grammar in the case of a woman for whom English was second language if the ideas were brilliant—that we could work with the grammar, a fucking machine could fix the grammar—and the instructor was annoyed with this. But I was right.
I'll correct the grammar because I think it's necessary, but it doesn't alter the grade unless there are other issues with the writing that makes it difficult to follow (and I'm not speaking of second language!).
Brilliant ideas, or sometimes simple comprehension, are so hard to find...
Eons ago when I used to teach, I remember going round & round with a student about why he got a "C" for a grammatically perfect essay. It was exhausting pre-AI. Can't imagine what teachers have to deal with today. "Fine, here's an 'A.' Now get the f*** out of my office!" 🤦♀️
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And take the opportunity to explain why do we even need teachers in these wonderful times, when anyone can simply ask anything to an AI?
Also, how does a person even become a teacher?
I agree that AI is a tool that students need to learn to use, but I’m struggling with where the line is between using tools and actually learning the fundamental skills and doing their own work.
My point is if teacher is complaining about mundane idea student has, then they shouldn’t be teachers. Students nowadays have mundane ideas then ever before because they’re glued to the screen…..
As for AI, teachers should be embracing it as a learning tool. Obviously, they need to make sure they don’t use it as own work. (That’s like stealing art via generative AI) AI is hear to stay, and not adapting to it…..
Brilliant ideas, or sometimes simple comprehension, are so hard to find...