Knee-jerk reactions by educational districts cause them to ban use of AI in schools.
As I began to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) (and related technology) is being viewed by educational districts and countries, I stumbled across this article explaining how New York City schools have already banned ChatGPT. I can't help but reflect on how reactionary this is seems until schools and districts come up with a "plan"...
Here's the article (a short read) to understand their perspective. This article led to another that discusses both drawbacks and possibilities of using the app in schools.
Photo Retrieved from The Guardian (Yang, 2023).
Understandably, the New York City school district, and all educational districts, need time to assess the risks and benefits of allowing AI into student's learning. They argue that AI limits problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills (Rosenzweig-Ziff, 2023). Interestingly, ChatGPT responded to this banning and stated,
“We look forward to working with educators on useful solutions, and other ways to help teachers and students benefit from artificial intelligence.”(Rosenzweig-Ziff, 2023)
I'm curious about what measures the AI bot will implement to support education with student learning as the central purpose. This is something I will definitely be following along with. What if our school's board tech personnel and department is now expanded to hire AI professionals to monitor artificial intelligence in schools? Or, if ChatGPT may hire educators to form teaching tasks and strategies to implement the AI in classrooms.... The career possibilities are endless! It's exciting to think about education evolving and the many ways one can utilize their education degree to directly impact students. Imagine developing teaching supports and resources and professional development around artificial intelligence in classrooms...So exciting!
In my last blog post, I shared a TikTok video in which the creator shared that we can't "un-invent" something. I full agree with this - AI is here to stay. I feel this decision by the New York City school district is short-sighted and was made out of fear. In education, we need to immediately respond to global events impacting learning in school. During the pandemic, teachers were expected to completely pivot to online learning. Strangely, this now seems like preparation for what was to come! It feels like a "soft-beginning" to another pivotal moment in educational requiring flexible, modern-thinking of teachers to incorporate technology that is here to stay.
Critical takeaways relating to my Big Question:
Banning AI in schools is a fear-driven reactionary measure
AI seems parallel to the pandemic in the way it requires teachers to adapt their practice - promptly!
AI in education may offer career outlets never before imagined by educators
References
Rosenzweig-Ziff, D. (2023, January 9). New York City blocks use of the CHATGPT bot in its schools. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/01/05/nyc-schools-ban-chatgpt/
Yang, M. (2023, January 6). New York City schools ban ai chatbot that writes essays and answers prompts. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/06/new-york-city-schools-ban-ai-chatbot-chatgpt#:~:text=New%20York%20City%20schools%20have,in%20New%20York's%20public%20schools.
Hi Sarah,
My previous comment didn't publish and got deleted so let's try this again! I think the knee-jerk reaction of the institution to ban chatgpt in this instance has to do with how they perceive unlimited access to information and resources. In general, I don't think that access to info is necessarily a bad thing provided that students are already at a level that goes beyond the basic levels of Bloom's taxonomy (ie, beyond a remembering/ understanding level; having a knowledge base already.) Nevertheless if students are still at the basic levels, for example, learning how to spell or multiply etc, this could be a deterrent to advancing. That said, I'm happy to be challenged and I don't know…
Hi Sarah,
It is unfortunate to see how reactionary the New York school board was in banning ChatGPT. While an extreme case it reminds me of when Harry Potter was removed from a school I attended. Why are we depending on banning something instead of using it to our benefit.
Technology often allows for parameters to be met such as website blocks for children. Is there a chance that we can use AI or ChatGPT with parameters? I think it is extremely important to bring in teachers to assess and learn to use ChatGPT. They will be the ones using it most often they need to know how to use it effectively within their classroom.
Thanks for your post, definitely…
Hi Sarah!
Isn't it true that all students are in a constant state of problem solving when at school? We intent to nurture them towards self motivation and exploration but at at the end of the day, most of them still carry the need to complete assignments and master standards. So then, is it not the nature of the already inquisitive student to latch on to any innovation/advantage they can find. Is that not problem solving at its core?
I just commented earlier on Teri's blog regarding professional development, that one of the first eye-opening concepts that I learned during my UBC B.Ed experience was that my cohort would enter into the field with the most up to date methods,…