ChatGPT, OpenAI’s virtual assistant and chatbot, took the world by storm and revolutionized how businesses operate and how people use generative technology. The model, first introduced as an iteration of the generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) series in 2018, laid the foundation for the development of the first AI software, and ever since, it has managed to transform every industry and create new careers. Prompt engineering, for instance, is a profession that has skyrocketed to prominence, gaining unexpected traction in a relatively short span.
It would be a bit of a stretch to assume that students shy away from resorting to auxiliary support. In fact, they don’t flinch from admitting that ChatGPT is a reliable source of help. 37% of the college students state they used to turn to ChatGPT for school-related tasks, mainly writing assignments, whereas 36% say they gave up using this practice.
In light of rising concern for all these realities, it would be wise to teach students how they can take advantage of chatbots’ expertise and potential without bearing the brunt of it all. How could one formulate prompts that encourage their thinking and only improve their knowledge? Is getting a master’s in prompt writing possible?
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A few introductory words
Ever since the notion of a chatbot that could replace the human effort of researching and searching for data emerged, people have feared its impact on human thinking, especially regarding education. One of the most significant woes was that students could cheat and get away with it unnoticed, having math problems and essays done without them putting in the effort to understand their given assignments.
Moreover, there’s concern that problem-solving and critical thinking would be affected en masse. Many worries have surfaced and keep lingering, such as how the professor-student relationship could deteriorate, the ethical implications, and how students’ capacity to express themselves suffers, among others.
To make sense of problems
Solving complex math problems or understanding how certain chemical interactions work can be a maze sometimes. Unless you have an expert in explaining chemistry to help you make sense of its intricate reactions, doing it on your own when you don’t have a knack for the subject can be many times more complicated than it is for one who uses other support means.
Luckily, submitting the proper inquiries instead of asking a chatbot to solve the problem and hand you the solution can help you substantially in the learning process. For instance, ask how pH calculations are done instead of the final solution. When you don’t understand the ins and outs, have the chatbot explain the intricacies to you in layman’s terms. Dare to rephrase the same inquiry times and times again until the whole maze makes sense to you. Afterward, you may be shocked to find out that you’ve done yourself a big favor instead of feeling guilty about cheating. With enough determination, you can start solving chemistry and math problems yourself, which extends to any other school topic you may find challenging.
For essay writing
Every student, whether studying physics or the arts, eventually has to craft an essay. Evidently, this will be a moment of great importance, which explains why the task could take one who doesn’t study literature longer than those with a knack for any other topic.
In this respect, as a student, you can ask for help with a structure in case you find it challenging to envision how your work should look like. Otherwise, you can ask for indications as to what should be pertinent to write or ideas to tackle. Ask for synonyms, rephrases, improved ways of expressing your ideas, and so on.
Essay proofreading
Proofreading is the best way to ensure your essay is at its best. You can ask chatbots to proofread your essay and give feedback on your work, underlining areas that could be improved or modified.
Moreover, you can rely on chatbots to emphasize your strongest suit as a writer so you can further find a style of yours and work your way through the ranks. Perfecting your writing doesn’t have to depend on you and yourself only. As long as you’re contributing with your fair share of work, some extra help shouldn’t hurt your craft.
To provide ideas
As a student, you’re expected to be brimming with all sorts of mind-bending ideas. Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that there are times when your mind feels blank, and you need some inspiration yourself.
In similar situations, you can rely on a chatbot to help you break through a creative block. Ensure you contribute to the ideas received so that they’re original, unique, personalized, and suitable to finish within the school’s timeline and resources. To make sure the ideas suit the age category represented, ask for targeted content and guide the chatbot in the direction of writing you need.
Creating songs for better memorization
You’ve likely had earworms and know how much of a breeze it is to memorize the lyrics of a song you love. And possibly, you wished you could have more important information stuck in your head and readily accessible during exams and school seminars. So, what keeps you from achieving this goal?
Fortunately, you might use the same process of memorizing catchy texts and sudden pitch changes and apply it to your school’s subjects. Chatbots can find rhymes and structure information in an easily learnable and recallable way. You just have to write your prompts as clearly as possible to guide your chatbot in the right direction.
Read the song received aloud a few times and you may find how auditory connections can help you better store and access important information. According to research, earworms can help you study and there are many benefits you can unlock through this tactic. This is truly a method of conditioning using auditory cues.
Using chatbots doesn’t have to make you feel guilty or unworthy of credits, as long as you don’t overrely on their help and forget to add your contribution. Use these gen AI tools carefully and wisely and remember to look at them as mere auxiliary support instead of a shortcut to getting work done.