Sure, ChatGPT can do your homework for you - but that doesn't mean you should use it
As human beings, we are programmed to take shortcuts. We’re inherently lazy. And the story is no different when it comes to our schoolwork.
Last fall, educational institutions around the world grappled with a sudden surge in cases of academic dishonesty with the launch of the powerful AI system, ChatGPT.
If you haven’t heard of the viral AI yet, you’ve likely been living under a rock.
ChatGPT is a chatbot that can perform a range of different functions based on prompts for free. It can solve that tough physics problem you spent hours working through, or better yet, write your next 5-page essay in a matter of seconds.
As busy university students, it’s undoubtedly tempting to use ChatGPT to make our lives easier and buy us time that we feel is better spent elsewhere. But with growing concerns for the fate of education, we need to weigh the risks and benefits of using ChatGPT.
As busy university students, it’s undoubtedly tempting to use ChatGPT to make our lives easier and buy us time that we feel is better spent elsewhere. But with growing concerns for the fate of education, we need to weigh the risks and benefits of using ChatGPT.
Though ChatGPT is ridiculously skilled, the AI has some critical limitations. For one, ChatGPT’s knowledge is outdated. The chatbot can only process information from 2021 or earlier. And the AI is imperfect in other ways as well.
Because the AI was trained on large sets of human-generated text, it does not have access to all of the knowledge held by humans. As a result, it can make mistakes. For instance, the chatbot may experience issues with accuracy, grammar, and biased content. ChatGPT also fails to provide references for the information it generates, leaving users to fact check the content.
Beyond its structural imperfections, using ChatGPT robs you of a valuable learning experience. AI cannot teach you essential skills, like critical thinking and communication, which translate to the real world. It detracts from our motivation to learn, creativity, and ability to express ourselves. As dull and unoriginal as it sounds, it’s true. These are skills and qualities you need to succeed in any career, and more importantly, in life. When you choose to cheat on an assignment, you miss out on an important opportunity to improve your competencies and knowledge.
But quite frankly, you’ve already heard this spiel enough times to know that an education, or rather an honest education, matters.
At the end of the day, all we truly care about is passing our classes so that one day we might hold a really expensive piece of paper that validates our years of blood, sweat, and tears. Yet, it’s surprising to think that students are willing to jeopardize years of hard work over for a few assignments.
AI output detectors are getting better at their jobs. In fact, Turnitin can now detect AI-generated text. This means you likely won't be able to get away with using ChatGPT to cheat. And getting caught for academic misconduct holds rash consequences. It can leave a permanent stain on your transcript and reputation, lead to expulsion or suspension, and even destroy your opportunities for higher education or certain careers.
AI output detectors are getting better at their jobs. In fact, Turnitin can now detect AI-generated text. This means you likely won't be able to get away with using ChatGPT to cheat. And getting caught for academic misconduct holds rash consequences.
These are things to consider about before you obliviously choose to use the chatbot for your next assignment. But don’t take my word for it. Just ask ChatGPT.
This article is the first of a two-part series. Stay tuned for the next article on the future of education in a world with growing AI.
By: Kashyap Patel
The safety and wellbeing of the student population should be the top priority of any respectable university. On Jan. 29, McMaster University chose to prioritize profits over the safety of their students.
Despite heavy snowfall and icy conditions, McMaster remained open because “crews [had] spent the night clearing snow and cleaning walkways.” The university simply advised their students to take care when travelling to campus.
Crews have spent the night clearing snow and cleaning walkways. The University will open for classes this morning and all events and activities will take place as scheduled. Please take care travelling to campus.
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) January 29, 2019
McMaster’s Storm Emergency policy states that the university will be closed “when severe weather poses a danger to students, staff and faculty while on campus or if the weather would prevent large numbers of them from coming to campus or returning safely to their homes.”
For students living on-campus, the inclement weather did not pose as serious of a concern. However, for students and staff who live off-campus and commute, this decision put their safety at risk as roads and pathways leading to the campus were not adequately cleared.
In the opinion of many students on social media, the cancellation of classes should have been deemed a necessity. Students used the closure of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board schools, which are located in the same area as McMaster, to support their views.
Due to the inclement weather, all schools and administrative buildings are closed and transportation is cancelled today, Jan 29. All exams scheduled for today will be written tomorrow, Jan 30.
Enjoy the snow day! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/WpmHYJnFAD
— HWDSB (@HWDSB) January 29, 2019
Many students could not make it to campus due to Go bus cancellations and delays. The university clearly overlooked these legitimate concerns despite the potential negative impacts on students’ academic standings.
This incident begs the question: does McMaster value profits over the safety of its students? Given this instance, I believe the answer is yes. This decision was careless and irresponsible considering that most students attending McMaster either commute or live off-campus. These severe weather conditions also made it impossible for students using accessibility devices to safely reach campus.
Furthermore, many students that braved the conditions and commuted to campus found out that their instructors had cancelled their classes. The lack of coordination between the university and its faculty led to students unnecessarily putting their safety at risk.
Students also pointed out that several walkways on-campus were not cleared even though the university claimed otherwise. McMaster should be more truthful about the statements they disseminate to the public. Students use this information to make decisions about their commute and how they navigate the campus in a safe manner.
https://twitter.com/obeng_lily/status/1090300759802109952
It is difficult to pinpoint what sources of information the university used to inform their decision. The weather forecast predicted a snow storm at approximately 4 p.m. the day prior. The local facilities in Hamilton such as the YMCA and public libraries were also closing for the day. Buses and trains were also delayed or canceled in several locations throughout the southern Ontario area.
McMaster University should take a multi-faceted approach when making weather-related closure decisions. Transportation, safety and the effectiveness of the clearing crew needs to be evaluated before making a decision that can impact the safety of thousands.
Student safety should be of paramount importance to educational institutions. There seems to be a disconnect between McMaster and its students regarding the implementation of the inclement weather policy.
McMaster should re-evaluate the actions it took on Jan. 29 and learn from this incident. Students need to know that their safety is valued and plays a key role in the decision-making processes of their university.
[thesil_related_posts_sc]Related Posts[/thesil_related_posts_sc]
On Jan. 25, The Silhouette sat down with Ontario New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath to discuss the Ford government’s recently announced changes to Ontario’s tuition framework, financial aid system and student fees.
On Jan. 17, the Ford government announced a 10 per cent reduction in the up front cost of tuition in Ontario. This came alongside a plan to tighten the eligibility requirements for the Ontario student assistance program, reduce grant money offered by OSAP and eliminate the six month grace period before loans must be paid back.
Additionally, the ministry announced that post secondary institutions will be required to allow students to opt out of paying non-tuition fees deemed “non-essential.”
According to Horwath, the 10 per cent tuition cost reduction will end up harming students.
“This decision that the government's made is deceitful first and foremost because the 10 per cent sticker price announcement really means nothing for affordability for students,” she stated.
Horwath said the proposed changes would cause students to graduate with more debt and pay higher interest fees.
The McMaster Students Union has expressed similar concerns.
“Grants are a far more effective form of student financial aid than loans. Rolling back OSAP eligibility and increasing the loan threshold will increase the debt load on many students,” said Ikram Farah, MSU president.
According to Horwath, the requirement of an opt-out for non-essential student union fees is a strategy to silence the voices of students.
“I think a lot of what the government is trying to do is weaken the student movement to silence the voices of young people,” she said.
The MSU released a statement saying that this provision might impact the advocacy abilities of student unions and provision of services and supports.
“The potential of optional fee structures for services could severely undermine the ability of students to organize and maintain robust student-oriented provisions, along with their representation to all levels of government,” stated the release.
According to Horwath, the proposed changes to tuition, fees and OSAP will impact more than just students because all Ontarians benefit from well-functioning post secondary institutions.
“It is going to affect everyone,” she stated. “It is going to affect families. It is going to affect the economy. It is going to affect the educators.”
She explained that weakening the student experience on campus, lowering the quality of education and burdening students with more financial distress mean that young people will not get the education that they need in order to participate in the workforce.
The Progressive Conservative party holds a 60 per cent majority, meaning that they have enough seats to pass legislation without the assent of other parties.
Despite this, Horwath believes it is still possible to advocate for change.
She noted that as a result of public outcry, the Ford government recently backtracked on a proposal open up the Greenbelt to developers.
According to Horwath, this demonstrates that broad resistance from Ontarians is key.
“I think this is a glimmer of hope to say that notwithstanding that it is a majority government, if you have a broad enough resistance and if you push hard enough […] then you have an opportunity to engage.”
[thesil_related_posts_sc]Related Posts[/thesil_related_posts_sc]
