The inevitable has happened: several American schools have banned their students from using ChatGPT. The professors fear that they will simply accept the answers provided by the AI instead of figuring out the exercises themselves. However, many experts point to the pointlessness of this measure.
In just a month of its existence, ChatGPT has revolutionized the way some people use the Internet, sometimes even changing their daily lives. It must be said that AI took everyone by surprise last December, as its answers are accurate, and this, across a huge variety of topics and formats. And if we are already starting to see the changes that the latter will bring to companies, then the issue of schools is causing heated debate.
After all, at least in theory, nothing prevents students from copying and pasting their exercises into ChatGPT and restoring the answer there in just a few seconds. Thus, they can solve mathematical equations, instantly recognize key dates in history, and even write essays without the slightest effort. Therefore, it is not surprising that schools are starting to ban the use of AI in their enclosures, as is now happening in New York.
Banning ChatGPT in schools is useless, experts say
Indeed, all public schools in the city are now forbidding their students from using ChatGPT for homework. However, educators will still be able to request access to the platform for educational purposes, such as teaching students how to use artificial intelligence. Now it’s only a matter of time before other American cities join the movement.
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“This tool is certainly capable of providing quick and simple answers to questions, but it doesn’t develop the critical thinking or problem-solving skills that are essential for academic and lifelong success,” said Jenna Lyle, spokesperson for The New York Times. York District. An argument that is far from unanimous in the educational community.
First, it’s obvious: the ban on the tool has never prevented students from using it in and out of the classroom. “You can disable ChatGPT as much as you like. Students have always overcome obstacles to cheating, and they will always do so,” says Joseph South, Head of Learning at the International Society for Technology in Education.
Another inevitable problem: over time, the fight against artificial intelligence will look more and more like a fight against a hydra. Get rid of one, two more will immediately appear. In other words, if students can no longer use ChatGPT, they will have to wait a maximum of a few months to access a new, similar tool.
Finally, there is the argument of education itself. According to Andreas Oranje, vice president of research and development for the Educational Testing Service, “This is a bad idea because ChatGPT is a fact of life. And we want to prepare students for life.” Given the current situation, it seems inevitable that AIs will become full-fledged assistants in our daily lives.
So is education really doomed to a quick death? According to Andreas Oranje, this is far from the case. On the other hand, she faces a new challenge: to cope with technological advances that are redefining her teaching methods. It’s time to “create jobs that teach the skills you want to teach, but in a way that works with ChatGPT. »
Education Week.