Teachers Offer Diverse Views on ChatGPT's Use in School

By L. Siuba

Feb 9, 2023

(Colonie, NY) On Wednesday, November 30, Open AI, a research organization, released a new program called ChatGPT, with the goal of advancing AI in a responsible, accessible, and safe way. Since then, students have been using ChatGPT as a tool for schoolwork, and teachers have mixed reactions about its use.

ChatGPT is a chatbot engine where people can write their questions in a chat box and get clear and precise answers immediately. Students can use ChatGPT as a resource to obtain information on questions they're having difficulty with.

The AI technology provides clear explanations and suggestions to support the students' learning. However, it's also possible for students to abuse ChatGPT for cheating purposes by claiming the answers generated as their own.

Teachers have mixed feelings about ChatGPT, some view it as a helpful resource, and others see it as a cheating tool. There have been discussions on how they can limit the use of ChatGPT by students.

Colonie Tech teacher, Tom Casey believes that it’s a viable tool for students to gain information, as students can use the engine as a resource.

“We have to figure out how to manage it as educators because it exists, and only is going to get better,” Casey said.

Colonie English teacher, Jaclyn Lupe believes that it will be used more frequently in the near future.

“If monitored and instructed, it could be a teachable approach to be beneficial, it will absolutely work well. In terms of papers, response writing is where the issue lies,” Lupe said.

Colonie Tech teacher, Colleen Lynn has mixed feelings about ChatGPT, she sees why it’s being frowned upon and doesn’t love it.

Lynn has seen ChatGPT opened on students' Chromebooks and laptops being used for their schoolwork during class.

“It's a good foundation for students using it to build off of other things to think about which they didn’t think of on their own,” Lynn said.

Lynn believes that AI gives them another tool to get an answer instead of students thinking of the answer themselves, hindering their critical thinking skills.

Colonie Tech teacher, Jennifer Lewicki believes that it has a positive effect of being an AI tool for students, it can create great templates for those struggling.

“It can be a great tool, however it can also force students to be true to integrity and doing their own work and not just using it to copy it and submit, it could cause damage,” Lewicki said.

Teachers have mixed opinions on ChatGPT and its use in school by students, whether it is a helpful tool that can benefit students or a negative tool, but there is a shared view that when used responsibly by students, ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for educational purposes.