With the emergence and proliferation of ChatGPT, there is also a rise of discussions on how would it influence education. There's a worry that students will lean too heavily on AI, outsourcing their coursework and even dissertations to this powerful tool, circumventing plagiarism checks and other control measures.
Yet, there's another perspective to consider. ChatGPT could redefine traditional education methods, acting as a personal tutor to enhance educational outcomes.
A study by Benjamin Bloom back in 1984 suggested that with a personal mentor, an underperforming student could achieve average results, and an average student could become exceptional.
Let's see how ChatGPT could fit into this role as a personal tutor:
- Multilingual learning experience: ChatGPT breaks down language barriers, expanding the boundaries of learning and scientific exploration. It is able to summarise and generate information available in different languages: whether the content is available in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic, ChatGPT makes it accessible and comprehensible, allowing learners to engage with diverse perspectives and enrich their understanding.
- Problem-Solving Guidance and Explanation of Concepts: With access to a wealth of information, ChatGPT is capable of providing detailed explanations of complex concepts and guiding students through problem-solving exercises across various disciplines. Impressively, it can even distill the complexities of quantum physics into understandable insights for those without a background in physics, showcasing its ability to break down complexity into accessible knowledge.
- Role-Playing: Imagine asking a book character about their motivations, or a historical figure about a key event. From acting as a mathematician explaining a complex theorem to impersonating Isaac Newton discussing how an apple inspired his law of gravity, this AI tool can make the learning experience more interactive and engaging. And let's face it, not every human tutor can offer such flights of fancy!
- Accessibility: ChatGPT can be particularly beneficial for students with disabilities, offering a tailored learning experience that adapts to their needs. For example, it provides a flexible learning environment available 24/7 and supports a personalised learning pace.
- Additional Benefits: With ChatGPT's ability to simulate conversations and generate coherent, contextually relevant responses, students can practice their debating skills, receive step-by-step guidance on coding problems, explore different career paths through informed discussions, and unlock their creative potential in writing.
It's worth noting that while ChatGPT can write essays or term papers, the generated content does necessitate quality editing and careful review. However, this affords students the opportunity to concentrate on understanding and formulating central ideas, as the AI provides immediate feedback and facilitates the achievement of even better results.
Continuing conversation about AI and education, we're excited to share a TedTalk by Sal Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy. In this insightful talk, Sal discusses how the academy harnesses the power of AI to propel education into the future. 🚀
We hope this talk leaves you as inspired and energized as it has us! 🎓💡
