The AI revolution has begun, and there is no turning back. In recent years, technology has pervaded every aspect of our lives, from toasters to smartphones, and it shows no signs of slowing. Students were already able to easily type a question into Google and instantly get all their homework answers, but the introduction of ChatGPT has taken that ability to the next level. With one click of a mouse, ChatGPT can provide you with an endless stream of information, and students now use it for everything from grammar help to full essays.Every student I talked to in the creation of this article confirmed they had used ChatGPT for schoolwork. However, with this great power comes great responsibility.
The english and history departments have been hit hardest by this epidemic and teachers have needed to change their methods to prevent cheating. Many have transitioned from assigning worksheets and tests online to good old fashioned paper and pencil to make the use of AI much harder. On top of that, every typed assignment you submit goes through rigorous AI detectors that can spot even the slightest trace of ChatGPT. They even have a way of exposing every copy and paste you make on a document, so watch out!
Seriously, using AI for assignments isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Most homework assignments, while they may seem like pure torture, are designed to make sure you understand the topics and give you practice before tests or quizzes. Putting a prompt into ChatGPT and copying the answers onto the paper doesn’t really help with that, which means that many students who skip assignments with AI don’t fully understand the material and therefore do poorly on the tests, where ChatGPT isn’t available to whisper the answer to a question in your ear. Plus, just to remind you all, ChatGPT doesn’t know everything! ChatGPT itself says it can “sometimes give false or misleading information—not because it wants to lie, but because it predicts answers based on patterns rather than fact-checking.” Basically, that means that using it to do research without double checking with other sources can lead to a paper filled with mistakes or inaccurate claims.
Many teachers, administrators, and parents worry that ChatGPT is being abused by students and causing a decline in creativity and motivation. When asked to comment on this issue, Mr. Surgent, a high school history teacher, explains, “I think we are using it to replace creative thinking and instead regurgitate what we don’t want to do”. On top of all that, chances are, you get caught and face severe repercussions for cheating, from having to redo the assignment to detention and a parent meeting.
It isn’t all bad though, ChatGPT can be extremely helpful for a variety of school-related issues. Many teachers have come up with some creative ways to incorporate ChatGPT into their classes. Ms. Sandoval, a high school and middle school English teacher, engages her students by having them write character or setting descriptions, then asking ChatGPT to generate images of them. This helps students bring their ideas to reality and figure out how to improve their descriptions. You can also use ChatGPT to review or edit your writing for grammar mistakes to make sure your writing is the highest quality. Other students prefer to use it to generate study guides or practice questions to prepare for upcoming tests. Simply input your notes or worksheets and you can instantly get a practice test to save your grade.
While it has been discussed, most find the idea of banning ChatGPT completely in schools unrealistic and ineffective. The students of Cresskill High School aren’t giving up their saving grace without a fight! When asked, 100% of students confirmed they had used ChatGPT for schoolwork in the last week. Even teachers agree! “It would be the wrong way to help students,” says Mr. Surgent. “We will have to adapt,” Ms. Sandoval concedes. In the end, the question isn’t if students will use ChatGPT but how they can learn to use it responsibly.
*DISCLAIMER* I did not use ChatGPT to write this article I promise.
