ChatGPT, or Generative Pre-training Transformer, is a novel artificial intelligence online software developed by the Elon Musk founded and Microsoft backed organisation OpenAI. 

Recently, it has seen increased use by students, particularly high schoolers. The software’s ability to generate human-like text allows students to generate ideas, outlines and even complete texts raising concerns about academic integrity and honesty.

Chat GPT can also be used to help high school students develop practical skills such as coding and data analysis. By providing students with access to a wide range of coding examples, tutorials and documentation, it can help students learn to code and use data analysis tools more effectively.

The International Baccalaureate and Chat GPT 

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has released a statement addressing concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in education and assessment, specifically in relation to ChatGPT. The IB states that it recognizes the potential of AI in education and also acknowledges the importance of ensuring that assessments are fair, reliable and valid. The organization notes that it will continue to review and evaluate the use of AI in its assessments and that it will always prioritize the well-being and success of its students. Similar to any other quote or referenced work, the IB expects that students will fully cite and reference any AI generated content.

Students should be aware that the IB does not regard any work produced—even only in part—by such tools, to be their own. Therefore, as with any quote or material from another source, it must be clear that AI-generated text, image or graph included in a piece of work, has been copied from such software. The software must be credited in the body of the text and appropriately referenced in the bibliography. As with current practice, an essay which is predominantly quotes will not get many, if any, marks with an IB mark scheme.

IB Statement on AI in education

Additionally, the IB emphasizes that ChatGPT should not be used to grade any student work, but rather as a tool to generate ideas for both educators and students to consider.

How do you best use it?

As a language model, ChatGPT can be used in various ways to help you with your tasks, including:

  1. Answering questions: You can ask ChatGPT any question you have and it will provide you with an answer. The model has been trained on a vast amount of data, making it a valuable source of information.
  2. Generating content: If you need help generating content, ChatGPT can be an excellent resource. It can help you come up with ideas, outline your content and even write the content for you.
  3. Language translation: ChatGPT can help you translate text from one language to another. You can type in a sentence in one language, and ChatGPT will translate it to your desired language.
  4. Personal assistance: ChatGPT can help you with day-to-day tasks, such as scheduling appointments, setting reminders and sending messages.
  5. Learning: ChatGPT can help you learn new things by answering your questions and providing explanations. You can ask it about any topic and it will provide you with relevant information.
  6. Improving your writing: ChatGPT can provide you with suggestions for improving your writing. You can ask it to review your writing and provide feedback on grammar, syntax and tone.
  7. Entertainment: ChatGPT can be a fun and entertaining way to pass the time. You can ask it to tell you jokes, play games, write stories or even sing a song.

Ultimately, educators and parents should work together to find ways to effectively incorporate Chat GPT into the classroom and to ensure that students are using the model in a responsible and safe way.

To investigate the power of the software, we challenged Chat GPT to write an article for The Bite.

Making AI write an article for The Bite

We provided the following prompt to ChatGPT “Write an article for a school newspaper with an introduction, 3 subheadings, and a conclusion.” Here is the response:

“The Benefits of Starting School at a Later Time”

Introduction:

For many years, schools have been starting early in the morning, often before 8 am. However, recent research has shown that starting school later can have significant benefits for students. In this article, we will explore the reasons why starting school at a later time may be a better option for students.

Subheading 1: Improved Sleep Patterns

Adolescents require an average of 8-10 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. However, many students struggle to get enough sleep due to early school start times. Starting school later can help students get the sleep they need, leading to improved concentration, memory, and overall academic performance.

Subheading 2: Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Starting school early can be stressful for students, especially those who are already struggling with the demands of school and extracurricular activities. By starting school later, students have more time to sleep, exercise, and relax in the morning, reducing stress and anxiety levels. This can lead to better overall mental health and well-being.

Subheading 3: Increased Attendance and Engagement

Starting school later has been shown to improve attendance and engagement among students. When students are well-rested and less stressed, they are more likely to be focused and engaged in the classroom. This can lead to better academic performance and a more positive school experience overall.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, starting school at a later time can have numerous benefits for students. From improved sleep patterns to reduced stress and anxiety levels, and increased attendance and engagement, a later start time can help students lead healthier and more successful lives. It is crucial that schools consider the benefits of starting school later and make changes to better support the well-being of their students.

ChatGPT and AI in general can be used to generate ideas and enhance work in an ethical manner if the student references appropriately, or, in an unethical manner if the student directly copies and pastes from ChatGPT. Have you used ChatGPT or AI? Should it be allowed in school?