I’ve read the recent articles, heard the concerned discussions, and saw the hand-wringing about ChatGPT, a natural language processing tool driven by AI technology that allows you to have human-like conversations and much more with a chatbot. The language model can answer questions and assist you with tasks such as composing emails, essays and code. From an educational standpoint, the concern and hand-wringing, euphemistically speaking, is due to ChatGPT’s ability to churn out paragraphs of content from just a few lines of information…and avoid any flags found in modern plagiarism-detecting software. Naturally, teachers are concerned about students submitting their own original work, and plagiarism-detection companies are sweating in 2023 with the possibility of their software being rendered irrelevant by an emerging online content-generating behemoth.
I wanted to meet ChatGPT and gets its thoughts about Canvas. We met on its home turf, chat.openai.com. Here is a quick recap of our encounter:
Canvas Insider: Give me five things teachers should be aware of when using Instructure Canvas LMS for the time.
ChatGPT:
Navigation: Teachers should familiarize themselves with the Canvas navigation menu and how to access different areas of the platform, such as the course home page, modules, and gradebook.
Communication: Teachers can use Canvas to communicate with students and other instructors, such as through announcements, discussions, and private messages. They should also be aware of the different notification options and settings.
Content creation and organization: Teachers can use Canvas to create and upload different types of content, such as text, images, and videos. They should be familiar with the tools and features available for organizing and structuring their course content, such as modules and pages.
Assessment and feedback: Canvas provides a variety of assessment and feedback tools, such as quizzes, assignments, and the gradebook. Teachers should understand how to use these tools to assess student progress and provide feedback.
Analytics and Reports: Canvas provides analytics and reports that can help teachers track student progress, engagement and activities in the course. Teachers should familiarize themselves with the various reports available and how to interpret the data they provide.
CI: How should teachers approach students who choose to use ChatGPT for writing assignments and essays in their Canvas course?
ChatGPT: When students choose to use ChatGPT or any other AI-based technology for writing assignments and essays in a Canvas course, it's important for teachers to approach the situation with a holistic perspective that takes into account the educational goals and objectives of the course, as well as the individual needs and abilities of the students. Here are a few ways teachers may approach this situation:
Clarify expectations: Make sure that students understand that using ChatGPT or other AI-based technologies is not a substitute for their own critical thinking and writing skills. Clearly communicate the expectations and guidelines for assignments, including that plagiarism is not acceptable and that students should use these technologies as a tool rather than a crutch.
Encourage original thinking: Encourage students to use ChatGPT or other AI-based technologies as a tool for inspiration and guidance, but also to incorporate their own original thoughts and ideas into their writing.
Monitor and assess : It is important for teachers to monitor student's work and give feedback, whether it was generated by the AI-based technology or not. This will help the teacher identify any potential issues such as plagiarism or lack of understanding on the student's part.
Provide guidance: Offer guidance and support to students who are struggling with writing assignments. Provide resources and strategies to help them improve their writing skills, such as writing centers, tutoring services, or workshops.
Consider ethical implications: Consider the ethical implications of using AI-based technologies for writing assignments, such as the potential for plagiarism and the impact on student learning and development. Make sure to discuss these implications with students and provide them with the information they need to make informed choices.
It is important to note that while AI-based technologies can be useful tools for students, they should not be relied upon to do the work for the students. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to understand the material and demonstrate their understanding through their writing.
CI: Will ChatGPT replace teachers in the future when it comes to educating children?
ChatGPT: It is unlikely that ChatGPT or any other AI-based technology will replace teachers in the future when it comes to educating children. While AI-based technologies like ChatGPT can be powerful tools for learning, they are not capable of replacing the role of a human teacher.
A human teacher plays a critical role in the education process by creating a learning environment that is tailored to the needs of individual students, providing personalized feedback, and facilitating interactive and engaging lessons. They are able to assess the learning process, adapt to the student's needs, and provide guidance and support.
AI-based technologies like ChatGPT can supplement the education process by providing additional resources, support and guiding students through the material. But they cannot replace the personal touch of a human teacher, who can provide context, understanding, and life experience that would be difficult to replicate by a machine.
Moreover, AI-based technology like ChatGPT can be used to automate repetitive tasks, facilitate communication, and to enhance the learning experience. But the role of a human teacher is irreplaceable as they are responsible for creating a positive learning experience, helping students develop critical thinking skills and encouraging a love for learning.
In conclusion, AI-based technologies have the potential to support and enhance education but cannot replace the human touch and the personalization of a teacher.
CI: Is a Canvas Administrator needed for teachers to have a useful Canvas course, or will ChatGPT be what teachers need in the future?
ChatGPT: Canvas is a powerful Learning Management System (LMS) that can be used to create and deliver interactive and engaging online courses. Canvas administrators play an important role in managing the platform, such as configuring settings, creating user accounts, and providing technical support. However, for teachers to have a useful Canvas course, they do not need to rely on Canvas administrators.
Canvas provides a wide range of tools and features that teachers can use to create and deliver their course content, such as creating modules, uploading files, creating quizzes, and gradebook functionality. With proper training and support, teachers can utilize Canvas to create effective and engaging online courses.
As for the use of ChatGPT (or any other AI-based technologies) for future of education. It can be used as a supplement tool to enhance the learning experience. For example, an AI-based tool like ChatGPT could be used to provide additional support and guidance to students, or to generate personalized feedback. However, it is important to note that the role of a human teacher is irreplaceable as they can give personalized feedback, assessment, and guide the learning process by providing context and understanding of the subject material. So, AI can supplement the education experience but it cannot replace the human teacher.
It was an amicable first meeting with ChatGPT. No punches were thrown, and not verbal barbs were launched. However, I did have a tough time pulling any vulnerability from ChatGPT with its responses. I sensed a bit of optimism during my interview, but its facts were on point and it clearly knows about Instructure’s Learning Management System.
All content in this communique originated from me, except for what was designated as ChatGPT. - CP