Getting to know Dr. Rosemarie Cruz

 

There are quite a few artificial intelligence (AI) tools available--some are free, and some you have to pay for a subscription. It is just a matter of identifying what works for you and for your students. Our AI team for this class blog will discuss different types of AI that students can work with.  For my part, I will discuss ChatGPT. It is also free and available to everyone.

ChatGPT is an advanced AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. It uses natural language processing to converse with users, ask questions, write essays, generate code, brainstorm ideas, and even create images. You type prompts, and it generates human-like text in seconds.

ChatGPT is a powerful, accessible tool for students, but it is very useful for ESL (English as a Second Language) students, offering 24/7 personalized tutoring. The primary benefits include instant grammar correction and vocabulary building, while the main drawbacks are occasional factual errors and the risk of overreliance on AI.

BENEFITS FOR ESL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

• Helps both the student and the teacher communicate in English
• Provides access to a variety of language resources esp. for lesson planning and assessments
• Saves time and is efficient for answering questions and generating content.
• Very useful for writing, studying, coding, and generating ideas, especially for ESL learners.
• Helps ESL learners boost productivity by completing tasks faster.
• Provides easy learning support by explaining topics in simple ways.

DISADVANTAGE FOR ESL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

• Sometimes gives inaccurate or made-up information
• Promotes overreliance and reduces critical thinking skills if overused esp. for our ESL learners.
• Lacks true human experiences and real understanding or judgment.
• Privacy data at risk: Not ideal for sensitive information.
• Can promote academic dishonesty

ChatGPT can be a very useful tool for ESL teachers, but it is also important to be aware of the disadvantages of using it. Use ChatGPT as a support, but shouldn't replace the social and emotional connection and human interaction with one another.

Key things to remember when using ChatGPT

• Set clear goals and expectations – be explicit with your instructions, and don’t leave anything out.
• Use ChatGPT as a supplement, not a replacement for human interaction.
• Anticipate and check for errors – ChatGPT is not perfect!
• Its information is already dated.
• ChatGPT has been carefully vetted to remove harmful content, but it could still provide dangerous or unhelpful advice.

Here is a helpful link to help you navigate ChatGPT

https://youtu.be/PDw3Uk9dN9k?si=0r_dUMenIpYIb-f3