Educators Need to Get With the AI Program: ChatGPT, More Specifically

Hey fellow educators! If you haven’t noticed, AI tools like ChatGPT are shaking things up in our classrooms. Over the past few months, tons of articles have popped up, sparking conversations about what this means for teaching and learning. And guess what? It’s time we dig deeper into this.

Sure, I might not have the most groundbreaking insights, but let’s talk about how ChatGPT and other AI tech are forcing us to rethink how we teach. Buckle up, because these changes aren’t just coming; they’re already here!

Adapting to AI in Our Classrooms

First off, let’s get real. ChatGPT and its AI buddies aren’t going anywhere. They force us to rethink our teaching strategies completely. Sure, the current version of ChatGPT can still make some pretty silly mistakes—like coming up with fake sources. But as technology improves, you better believe future versions will get smarter and slicker.

Now, you may wonder if we should focus on catching AI-generated work. But let’s be honest: that extra stress doesn’t really help our teachers or students. Instead of policing writing, shouldn’t we tap into new strategies that prepare our students for the writing landscape of the future? Think about math teachers adapting their lessons when calculators hit the scene. We need to do the same.

How Can We Prepare Students for AI? Let’s Get Creative!

So, how do we embrace the AI wave without losing our teaching mojo? One cool tactic is to have students give AI a prompt and then talk through how they can one-up it. This exercise encourages critical thinking and creativity.

But hold up! We can’t just let AI take the reins. To effectively critique and improve upon AI’s output, our students need solid writing skills. Let’s face it; AI can be tempting. To keep students engaged with authentic writing, consider going back to handwritten essays in class. Why? This sparks deeper personal reflections and helps students dig into their experiences and lessons. Also, project-based learning that tackles local issues can keep students rooted in reality and creative thinking.

Let’s not forget to allow students to write about topics they care about; personal interests will likely make them resist the urge to rely on quick AI fixes.

Challenges for English-Language Learners

Now, for those of us teaching English-language learners (ELLs), AI can create unique headaches. How many times have you told students to use Google Translate for words, not full sentences? If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said that, I’d be lounging on a tropical beach right now.

But let’s be real—more often than not, students aren’t just being lazy. They’re scared of making mistakes, even in a supportive environment. Sure, tools like Google Docs’ Smart Compose can aid language acquisition, but students might over-rely on AI, thinking it’s the easy way out. This is going to require some thought and effort to navigate.

Using AI as a Teaching Tool

Here’s the silver lining—AI tools can actually help us create student models for writing. For instance, I’ve used ChatGPT to generate simple models for historical biographies and compare-and-contrast essays, which I then shared with my ELL U.S. History class. This kind of material doesn’t need to be perfect; a few tweaks can make it fit into our curriculum seamlessly.

Now, I get why some districts, including mine, have decided to block ChatGPT for the time being. And honestly, I don’t think many teachers, myself included, are fully equipped to handle this new challenge. Sure, it raises equity issues, especially when some students can use their own devices while others can’t. But at least for this year, we know our students’ unique voices and styles. Spotting AI-generated text shouldn’t be too tricky.

Get Ready to Face the Future

But next year? We’ve got to be ready to tackle these challenges head-on. The education landscape is changing, and we need to change along with it. Embracing AI isn’t about throwing out everything we know—it’s about evolving and adapting.

Embracing Technology Like It’s the 90s!

Remember when technology crashed into our classrooms like a wild party? The microwave, Just Ask Jeeves, Siri, Alexa—the list goes on! These tech advancements reshaped how we teach. Now, with AI like ChatGPT, it’s time to embrace another shift. Sure, some folks are resistant—education discussions can feel stuck in the past. But let’s not forget our mission: preparing students for the rapidly changing world.

If we keep the same outdated grading rubrics while AI takes over writing tasks, we’ll end up with a mismatch. If a computer can ace an essay, don’t we owe it to our students to rethink what we’re teaching? It’s time to realign our writing standards to what they truly need in the real world.

Writing Skills for the Real World

The good news? AI can help us identify what writing skills our lessons should focus on. After feeding various writing prompts to ChatGPT, I found its output often fell flat—repetitive, basic, and lacking a genuine voice. But that’s where the opportunity lies! We can use this as a teaching moment to dig deep into what makes writing human.

Let’s get students comparing AI writing with top-notch student work. This can lead to conversations about voice, fluency, and ultimately, academic integrity. Those discussions are essential, especially when teaching students the importance of sourcing material correctly.

Oh, and if you’ve heard complaints about bias in AI writing, here’s a thought: Have students analyze these AI-generated texts. They can discuss the biases found in both AI and their own writing. It’s all about shining a light on preconceived notions and striving for better overall writing quality.

Preparing Students for AI

No one should be surprised that AI is now part of the K-12 landscape. Tools like ChatGPT can help with routine, time-consuming tasks. It’s our duty to prepare students to use these tools effectively while understanding their limitations. As tech-savvy educators, we need to stay ahead.

The buzz around AI tools means students—and even their parents—are likely diving in. The question is: which families, which tools, and for what purposes? It’s all about meeting students where they are and embracing a student-centered approach that honors their experiences.

What Comes Next?

Sure, students might not be allowed to use AI tools in school—for now. But trust me, just like with every other technological shift, those tools will find their way into our classrooms. As we teach media literacy, let’s ensure we model ethical and effective use of AI tools. That sets the standard for our students.

Sure, we can tweak assessments that can easily be completed using AI assistance. But remember: we’ve been talking about cheating for a while. True change in assessment methods is overdue. Perhaps we should look at more supervised exams or include process evidence as part of the grading criteria.

Finally, let’s not forget that focusing on the process leads to quality education. Whether it’s through a “process diary” in arts education or inquiry-based learning, we’re all about promoting learning. If we adopt a process-based approach, we’ll show our students that AI isn’t a cheat sheet, but rather a tool for learning. Let’s embrace AI and all the possibilities it brings!