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ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

nbcnews.com

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Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#31

Post by richeyryan »

kypro wrote: post #10

I've said it in another thread, but if you have to ban a tool to preserve the value of some course or examination then it's likely they have little to no value in the real world. In most cases the courses are fine, but the examination probably isn't testing anything useful if it can be cheated with tools like ChatGPT. For example any maths test which only tests students on problems which are easily solvable by a calc…

If a student can look up anything on ChatGPT it could very well inhibit their ability to develop critical thinking skills. They could just copy the output of ChatGPT rather than actually engaging with a text like Of Mice and Men, for example, and considering what it's trying to say about the American dream or interpersonal connections. Lots of learning exercises are relatively meaningless in isolation but are a part of a greater skill development journey. It's like just taking the answers from the back of the book rather than working through exercises. Getting the answer isn't the point. The point is actually doing the work so you develop skills that can be used beyond your current homework assignment or exam.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#32

Post by dumbfounder »

christopherwxyz wrote: post #18
dumbfounder wrote: post #5

ChatGPT is just a tool, like a calculator. Calculators are banned in certain circumstances and required in others. At first they were probably seen as cheating, but then the system realized they could be used to enhance what kids learn. Why take away a tool that could be used everywhere in life? That's not how progress should work. The system should evolve to embrace such tools, but the obvious problem is that it jus…

I see ChatGPT more akin to Wikipedia and Google than a calculator. We don't consider Wikipedia or Google as much of a tool as they are a knowledge reservoir of truthiness.

Have you used it? It can generate code. It can correct grammar. It can create Haikus (poorly). It can give you ideas. It is NOT just a knowledge base.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#33

Post by jsiepkes »

dumbfounder wrote: post #5

ChatGPT is just a tool, like a calculator. Calculators are banned in certain circumstances and required in others. At first they were probably seen as cheating, but then the system realized they could be used to enhance what kids learn. Why take away a tool that could be used everywhere in life? That's not how progress should work. The system should evolve to embrace such tools, but the obvious problem is that it jus…

Did you even read the article? You completely side stepped the argument they are making:

> While the tool may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, it does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#34

Post by recursive »

xwowsersx wrote: post #27
christopherwxyz wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see ChatGPT more akin to Wikipedia and Google than a calculator. We don't consider Wikipedia or Google as much of a tool as they are a knowledge reservoir of truthiness.

What is a "knowledge reservoir of truthiness"?

The school administration.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#35

Post by rr888 »

dumbfounder wrote: post #5

ChatGPT is just a tool, like a calculator. Calculators are banned in certain circumstances and required in others. At first they were probably seen as cheating, but then the system realized they could be used to enhance what kids learn. Why take away a tool that could be used everywhere in life? That's not how progress should work. The system should evolve to embrace such tools, but the obvious problem is that it jus…

The difference is that calculators have been around for decades and everyone is familiar with them, but chatgpt has been around a few weeks.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#36

Post by heliophobicdude »

abossy wrote: post #19

I wonder if the script can be flipped to both encourage the use of ChatGPT and scrutinize its output among students. I imagine that analyzing the results of ChatGPT output for something like a routine essay prompt requires a higher degree of precision and subject-matter expertise than writing the essay itself.

This is excellent! It also helps people to learn the tools that we would inevitably need to learn how to use.

Prompt engineering is a skill I'm seeing a need for

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#37

Post by lolinder »

seydor wrote: post #11

I mean, something like chatGPT (that will refuse to invent things) is perfect for student companion. It's endlessly patient and willing to explain every word you don't understand. No teacher can do that to this degree. If i were a teacher i d want to offload work to it.

It will also make stuff up if it doesn't know the answer. A tutor who did that would get fired.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#38

Post by seydor »

tootie wrote: post #30
seydor wrote: post #11

I mean, something like chatGPT (that will refuse to invent things) is perfect for student companion. It's endlessly patient and willing to explain every word you don't understand. No teacher can do that to this degree. If i were a teacher i d want to offload work to it.

When I was playing with extracting stories from ChatGPT my feeling was always that it writes like an 8th grade honors student.

so, it can also be their (annoying) imaginary friend

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#39

Post by tester457 »

danieka wrote: post #6
toinewx wrote: post #4

I learnt a ton from asking random questions to ChatGPT. This move is clearly temporary and will be reversed

My question is, did you learn the truth from ChatGPT? It seems like it will always give plausible sounding answer, that may or may not be correct. For example I asked it today to enumerate the rights given to all christians as part of the priesthood of believers according to Luther. It enumerate a couple of plausible sounding rights. Unfortunately none of them were correct.

I don't like asking it for real life facts. It's better at writing emails, simple code, bash scripts, grunt work, etc.

Re: ChatGPT banned from New York City public schools’ devices and networks

#40

Post by tootie »

I'm sure they're concerned about essay writing, but my kid has been using to help with physics and math homework. Not for basic calculator functions, but it's surprisingly good at giving formulas for complex problems. You can ask things like how to calculate the angle in degrees of fired projectile given initial velocity and range and it will give a formula. Then you can rephrase for how to solve for velocity given range and angle.
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