Texas colleges are concerned about ChatGPT and how it may affect education
Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence program created by OpenAI, has caused both curiosity and concern among students and faculty in colleges and universities nationwide. Although the technology is still new, the ChatGPT is well-suited for creating essays, outlining definitions, and defining topics. Students have confessed to using ChatGPT to write essays, rousing concerns that it could be used for cheating.
Texas colleges are worried that students may rely too much on ChatGPT to do their coursework, leading to a decline in academic performance. Nonetheless, some professors see the tool as a potential resource for their students. Professors believe that ChatGPT can assist in enriching a student’s learning experience if used effectively.
ChatGPT is not the first AI program to be used as a tool in education. Gradescope and iScanner are used by teachers to grade and scan coursework quickly. Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at UT-Austin, Art Markman, has been looking for ways to help college educators navigate ChatGPT in their classrooms. Markman believes that ChatGPT is a new tool that should not be feared but should be integrated into the teaching process.
The use of ChatGPT has raised concerns about the new subscription plan launched by OpenAI, named ChatGPT Plus. The subscription plan can deter low-income students from using it as they must pay $20 a month to access this feature, leading to students losing access to knowledge. ChatGPT still has a free membership plan. However, the program’s response times can be slower when experiencing high traffic.
In conclusion, ChatGPT is a useful resource that can enrich a student’s learning experience if integrated and used efficiently. However, it is essential to monitor its usage to ensure that it is not misused. Professors must help students maximize its benefits while guiding them towards responsible use of the tool.
