ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, has taken K12 by storm. Understandably, district leaders and educators alike are both concerned and eager to see what artificial intelligence has in store for education. Should we be worried—or perhaps more optimistic?
I recently had a conversation with one superintendent who spoke about the chatbot’s immense power to enhance learning in a way we’ve never seen before. Dr. Don Killingbeck is the superintendent of Hemlock Public Schools in Michigan and a featured speaker at the Future of Education Technology® Conference next week presenting a session titled, “43 Educational Technology Tips on how to be Less Lame.”
“In the future, we need to lean in as educators,” he says. “Because let’s face it. There are people out there thinking, ‘This is bad. It’s everything we told kids not to do.’ People are going to say we shouldn’t be using this and that kids shouldn’t be touching it. The bottom line is in the real world we’ve got to be more productive. You only get 24 hours in a day, so how are you going to make the most out of it? And I think a tool like ChatGPT maximizes that opportunity.”
The possibilities to encourage student engagement with such a tool, he adds, have so much potential to enhance students’ learning.
And during that conversation, an idea was sparked: Why not let AI perform my job for me?
In all seriousness, I wanted to challenge the chatbot to curate an article about this year’s upcoming conference. Needless to say, it performed well.
Using chat.openai.com, I simply told the program what to write, and boom… less than 30 seconds later, there it was. Here’s the assignment I gave ChatGPT:
“Write me a story using AP style about the National Future of Education Technology Conference happening in January of 2023 in New Orleans. Write about what district leaders can learn at this conference to take back to the districts they serve. Make it intelligent and informative.”
And here it is—an article written 100% by artificial intelligence.
The National Future of Education Technology Conference, taking place in New Orleans in January 2023, is set to provide district leaders with valuable insights on how to integrate technology in their classrooms.
The conference, which is in its 10th year, will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops on a variety of topics related to education technology. Attendees will learn about the latest trends and innovations in the field, as well as best practices for implementing technology in the classroom.
One of the main focuses of the conference will be on how to effectively use technology to enhance student learning and engagement. District leaders will learn about new tools and resources that can be used to create interactive and dynamic learning experiences for students. They will also hear from educators who have successfully integrated technology into their classrooms and learn about the impact it has had on student achievement.
Another important topic that will be covered at the conference is data privacy and security. With the increasing use of technology in schools, it is crucial that district leaders understand how to protect student data and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Conference attendees will learn about the latest data security measures and best practices for protecting student data.
Additionally, the conference will also feature sessions on how to bridge the digital divide and provide access to technology for all students. District leaders will learn about programs and initiatives that can help to ensure that all students have access to the technology and resources they need to succeed.
Overall, the National Future of Education Technology Conference is an excellent opportunity for district leaders to gain valuable insights and knowledge on how to integrate technology in the classroom to enhance student learning. They will come back to their districts with new tools and resources to improve student engagement and achieve better outcomes for students.
Not entirely accurate in some spots, but certainly impressive (maybe too impressive). What are your thoughts on ChatGPT?
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