By Maire Crooks, The Current Co-Editor in Chief
Several River Hill teachers have recently come out in support of a recently popularized AI platform, ChatGPT, to assist students with assignments.
“ChatGPT is a wonderful resource to enhance assignments and assist in troubling tasks!” exclaims Mr. Shagogue, a member of River Hill’s English department. “It helps students reach their full potential,” adds English teacher Mr. Perraud.
Many teachers are noticing that students’ grades have greatly improved when using this new service. A junior at River Hill excitedly mentions, “I had a C in English class, but after using ChatGPT to write my latest essay, I now have a high B!”
The use of AI makes it easier for teachers to read and grade assignments; work is guaranteed to be of a predictable quality and writing style. Teachers argue that this efficiency is beneficial to not only them, with their increased workload and responsibilities in a post-pandemic school environment, but also to students, as they are able to receive feedback and grades faster than ever before. “I get all of my grades returned through Canvas within hours of my submissions!” exclaims a freshman.
Additionally, since the pandemic teachers and students have been lazier than ever. With this newfound tool, teachers no longer have to grade or create assignments. Mr. Perraud enthusiastically explains his new grading process: “I simply type in the topic I want an assignment on into ChatGPT and ask it to make an activity. It does so in seconds! When students turn in their work, I just copy and paste it into ChatGPT along with the rubric the AI created earlier and tell it to grade the work!” Students are especially pleased with this method of scoring; rumor has it that ChatGPT is programmed to not score an assignment less than a 70%, causing massive grade and ego inflations.
With the growing competition in college applications, it is of the utmost importance that students use every resource available to give their profile the extra boost. “Grades and GPA is a huge part of college admissions, so why not use ChatGPT to get the extra edge? Additionally, essays are what can make applicants stand out to admissions officers. Using ChatGPT allows applicants to form better, eye-catching essays with less time, allowing them to apply to more colleges and increase their chances of acceptance into a top-tier university,” articulates Mr. Shagogue.
In addition to the endorsement, the River Hill staff is petitioning the county to fund ChatGPT Plus, similar to how it supports platforms like MackinVIA and WeVideo, giving it official academic status. ChatGPT Plus allows for premium features, such as “General access to ChatGPT, even during peak times, faster response times, and priority access to new features and improvements,” as their website explains.
It is important to note that ChatGPT inevitably comes with its downsides. “I am beginning to develop early-onset arthritis from all of my copying and pasting,” notes Mr. Perraud. Similarly, Mr. Shagogue has to “get regular massages for my wrist and back pain from staring at AI all day.”
What will the future of schooling look like with teachers’ endorsements of ChatGPT and AI? As River Hill teachers say, it seems as though there is a bright outlook for future generations of students.