Playing with ChatGPT: now I’m scared (a little)
Over the holiday season, lots of people play games such as Scrabble, cards or crossword puzzles. I decided to play with ChatGPT by testing it in areas where I consider myself an expert. (For more about ChatGPT, go to Broom, 2022)
I will first of all show you the responses I got from ChatGPT, then I will discuss the results, comparing them to what I wrote about these topics in Teaching in a Digital Age.
Asynchronous vs synchronous learning
My question:
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning? Give references.
ChatGPT:
Synchronous learning refers to educational activities that take place in real-time, with all participants present at the same time. This could include traditional in-person classes, as well as virtual classes that are conducted via video conferencing or live streaming. In synchronous learning, there is typically a set schedule for classes and a designated instructor who leads the discussion and provides feedback.
Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, refers to educational activities that do not take place in real-time. This type of learning is often self-paced and flexible, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace and on their own schedule. Asynchronous learning can include activities such as online courses, pre-recorded lectures, and other self-guided learning materials.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning allows for immediate interaction and feedback, which can be beneficial for some students. Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, allows for greater flexibility and can be a good option for students who have busy schedules or prefer to learn at their own pace. Ultimately, the choice between synchronous and asynchronous learning will depend on the needs and preferences of the individual student and the goals of the educational program.
My response
Damned good! I didn’t even ask for advantages or disadvantages and it gave them. It was accurate, and more concise than what I wrote in Chapter 7, Section 4 of Teaching in a Digital Age. However, Teaching in a Digital Age gives more examples or instances and it was more detailed. I would have given a student who submitted ChatGPT (without my knowing) 8/10 for this answer.
ChatGPT provided references that I was unaware of, but they are impeccable sources. I was disappointed that my book wasn’t included in the references, but the discussion of synchronous-asynchronous is just a small part of the overall book, although the section can be specifically referenced.
Teaching chemistry online
My question
What are the limitations of teaching chemistry online? Give references
ChatGPT
There are several limitations to teaching chemistry online that have been identified in the literature:
- Lack of hands-on experiences: One of the most significant limitations of teaching chemistry online is the inability to provide hands-on experiences to students (Barger, 2014). Many chemistry concepts and skills require hands-on practice, which can be difficult to replicate in an online setting (Celik et al., 2015).
- Limited access to lab equipment: Chemistry labs often require specialized equipment and materials that may not be readily available to students in an online setting (Mehta et al., 2016). This can make it challenging for students to fully engage with and understand certain concepts and techniques (Celik et al., 2015).
- Difficulty in building a sense of community: In-person classrooms often provide an opportunity for students to interact and build a sense of community (Barger, 2014). This can be more challenging in an online setting, where students may feel isolated and disconnected from their peers and instructors (Mehta et al., 2016).
- Technical difficulties: Online learning can be disrupted by technical issues such as internet connectivity problems or difficulties with online platforms and tools (Barger, 2014). These issues can be frustrating for both students and instructors and can impact the effectiveness of the learning experience (Mehta et al., 2016).
- Limited access to one-on-one support: In an online setting, students may have limited access to one-on-one support from instructors or teaching assistants, which can be beneficial for those who need additional help or clarification on certain concepts (Celik et al., 2015).
References:
- Barger, M. D. (2014). The impact of online chemistry courses on student success. Journal of College Science Teaching, 43(4), 16-21.
- Celik, S., Kavak, N., & Kavak, M. (2015). An investigation of the effectiveness of online chemistry laboratory courses. The Journal of Educational Research, 108(2), 91-99.
- Mehta, R., Kaur, G., & Singh, J. (2016). A comparative study of online and face-to-face teaching of chemistry. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 2(4), 218-224.
My response
OK, but nothing I could not have ‘guessed’ myself, although the references were new to me. Some of the conclusions I would have challenged, such as the limited access to one-on-one support which is not a specific condition of online learning. I would also have liked some reference to ways in which online learning can replicate lab work such as the use of virtual reality. I would have given a student 5/10 for this response. However, I could have phrased the question better, perhaps.
Video
My question
What are the affordances of video in teaching? Give references
ChatGPT
Video can be an effective teaching tool because it has several affordances that can enhance the learning experience. Some of the affordances of video in teaching include:
Engagement: Video can be engaging and can capture the attention of learners, particularly if it is well-produced and includes interesting visuals and audio.
Accessibility: Video can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection and can be watched at any time, making it convenient for learners who may have busy schedules or who are learning remotely.
Flexibility: Video can be used in a variety of teaching contexts, including in-person and online classes, and can be used to teach a wide range of subjects.
Visual learning: Video can be particularly effective for visual learners, as it allows learners to see and hear information, rather than just reading or listening to it.
Demonstration: Video can be used to demonstrate concepts and processes, which can be particularly useful in fields such as science and technology where hands-on experience may not always be possible.
Review: Video can be used as a tool for review, allowing learners to revisit material and reinforce their understanding.
References:
“The Role of Video in Teaching and Learning.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ift.tt/PntUQAg
“The Benefits of Using Video in Education.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ift.tt/5jac8zg
“Using Video in Education: Benefits and Best Practices.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ift.tt/gj8bmZX
I also asked the question a second time, but asking for examples instead of references. Here are the examples it gave:
Here are some examples of how video can be used in teaching:
- Flipped classroom: Video lectures can be used as a way to introduce new material to students outside of class, freeing up class time for more interactive activities such as discussion or problem-solving.
- Demonstrations: Video can be used to demonstrate concepts or skills, such as a science experiment or a physical therapy exercise.
- Virtual field trips: Video can be used to take students on virtual field trips or to visit locations or events that may be difficult to access in person.
- Group discussions: Video can be used to facilitate group discussions, such as through video conferencing or recorded video responses.
- Feedback: Video can be used to provide feedback on student work, such as through recorded video comments or critiques.
My response
First, I was impressed ChatGPT recognised the specialist term ‘affordances’ and correctly interpreted it. It gave six affordances. I would not disagree with these but they were fairly general. There are also many more affordances of video, which is why I asked for examples. Again, the ChatGPT examples are good ones, but again there are many more. Once again I was disappointed there was no reference to Teaching in a Digital Age, especially as Chapter 8.4 is a much more thorough treatment of the affordances of video. I would have given a student 7/10 for this response.
Conclusions
- Impressive, and not just in the syntax, which was flawless in all examples. There were no noticeable errors. Even some results I would challenge were nevertheless reasonable to include.
- I was pleased that my approach to the chosen topics was independently confirmed by other sources, some of which I was not aware of.
- I can understand why ChatGPT is scaring the hell out of a lot of instructors. It will provide at least adequate responses to many questions that instructors might ask, without the students having to do any of the work.
- If I was setting a question as an assignment, I would try it out first on ChatGPT, then see if I could improve the question.
- However, what ChatGPT does very well is to summarise briefly and accurately particular topics. A great exercise would be to give students ChatGPT’s answers to a question, then ask the students to improve on it, either by giving more or better examples, or by suggesting alternative responses. Of course, ChatGPT may get better as well….
- The danger of ChatGPT being so good in general is: what if it does get something really wrong, or provides responses based on biased or hateful sources? I guess that is now another responsibility for experts, to keep an eye on it and point out or correct obvious errors. In particular, its reputation will depend on who manages ChatGPT and how – Wikipedia springs to mind.
- Still disappointed I didn’t get a reference to topics in which I feel I am an expert!
Schule,Englisch
via Stephen’s Web ~ OLDaily http://www.downes.ca/
January 2, 2023 at 06:41PM