“Empowering students with advanced tools like ChatGPT is not just about embracing technology; it’s about fostering a culture of responsible innovation. As educators, we guide not only the use of the tool but the mindset that shapes its impact. In the words of Socrates, ‘Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.’ Let us ignite the flame of responsible creativity, critical thinking, and ethical use, as we journey into the future of learning.”

– OpenAI, ChatGPR, November 13, 2023

The above quote was generated by ChatGPT 3.5 after requesting, “Provide an insightful quote that I can use to hook readers about the above stated ideas.”

Prior to requesting a quote, I requested recommendations for how to work with college students and ChatGPT, “Recommend ways to work with college students who plan to use chatGPT.” The response provided is similar to the articles and advice given from many articles I have been reading on the use of generative AI. This post is not about whether we should or shouldn’t use it. This is a post about “how to work with students who are probably going to use whether we want them to or not. So, how might we engage them in using ChatGPT to guide them and to facilitate the learning of our course objectives with ethics and integrity top of mind?

First, I’d like to share a little about how I have been using ChatGPT in my courses:

  1. I’ve asked for recommended activities to demonstrate an idea or concept.
  2. I’ve asked for feedback by asking if my instructions are clear and easy to follow (sometimes, they are not, and advice provided is helpful).
  3. I’ve asked for help making quizzes or prompts for reflective exercises related to concepts being taught.
  4. I’ve had students use it to make a lesson plan and then they have to analyze the plan and make revisions to meet my standards or their peers standards.
  5. I’ve had students write a response to a prompt I provide, such as “Name the TOP 5 Reasons Transdisciplinary Literacy Teaching and Learning is important for your development as an educator.” Then, after they write their response, I ask them to copy and paste into ChatGPT. Finally, they compare and contrast their responses and also discuss their list and the AI’s lists with their table mates.
  6. At times, I’ve had ChatGPT give a list of ideas on how to explain a concept differently than I have already provided.
  7. Students are asked to use ChatGPT to cross check their knowledge. They ask a question about what we are learning or discussing. Then, they use the responses to search for citations and evidence that what was shared via AI is accurate and timely. Since ChatGPT cannot cite, I require that my students create in-text citations AND also locate the information in their texts.
  8. I’ve used it to help my students understand chapters they find difficult to understand. We will choose passages, type the passage into the AI and then ask it to explain it using different words. Sometimes going as far to say, “Explain this to me like I’m a five year old, ten year old, fifteen year old, and so on….”
  9. They will do #8 and then in small groups, they will discuss each other’s passages and explain to one another what they learned and give examples – to demonstrate making connections and comprehension.
  10. I’ve also asked it to create scripts for videos and organize steps to teach and learn how to use equipment, devices, apps, etc that I are new to me (saving me time and energy that I can apply to more important tasks).
  11. There are many ways to use ChatGPT in your classroom that will engage your students and keep their eye on the ball (without being unethical).

Here’s what ChatGPT says,

Working with college students who plan to use ChatGPT can be a rewarding experience, as it allows them to leverage advanced language models for various purposes. Here are some recommendations:

  1. Understand the Purpose: Clarify the intended use of ChatGPT. Ensure that students have a clear understanding of the model’s capabilities and limitations. Emphasize responsible and ethical use.
  2. Ethical Use and Guidelines: Establish ethical guidelines for the use of ChatGPT. Discuss the importance of avoiding misuse, such as generating inappropriate content, spreading misinformation, or engaging in any harmful behavior.
  3. Provide Context: Encourage students to provide context when interacting with ChatGPT. This helps the model generate more accurate and relevant responses. Contextual information can include background details, specific goals, or any relevant information.
  4. Critical Thinking: Promote critical thinking skills. Remind students that ChatGPT is a tool and not a replacement for their own analysis and critical thought. Encourage them to question and validate information generated by the model.
  5. Citation and Verification: Emphasize the importance of citing sources and verifying information independently. ChatGPT may not always provide accurate or up-to-date information, so students should cross-check information from reliable sources.
  6. Collaborative Learning: Encourage collaborative learning experiences. Students can work together to use ChatGPT for brainstorming, problem-solving, or generating creative ideas. Collaboration fosters diverse perspectives and helps in refining generated content.
  7. Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop where students can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. This can help improve the responsible use of ChatGPT and provide insights into areas where additional guidance may be needed.
  8. Privacy Awareness: Discuss privacy considerations when using ChatGPT. Remind students to avoid sharing sensitive or personal information, and to be cautious about the data they input into the system.
  9. Customization and Fine-Tuning: If students are interested in customizing or fine-tuning the model for specific tasks, guide them through the process responsibly. Highlight the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and legal considerations.
  10. Explore Various Use Cases: Encourage students to explore different use cases for ChatGPT, ranging from academic research and writing assistance to creative projects and problem-solving. This can broaden their understanding of the model’s versatility.
  11. Stay Informed: Keep yourself and the students informed about updates, advancements, and any changes in guidelines or best practices related to ChatGPT. This ensures that everyone is using the latest information.

Remember that responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT is crucial, and educators play a key role in guiding students to use these tools in a manner that aligns with ethical standards and academic integrity.