Application of ChatGPT in Primary and Secondary Education
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Since the beginning of 2023, ChatGPT has become one of the hottest topics.
As a generative AI software, ChatGPT can perform various tasks such as answering questions, writing essays, and composing poetry. While it demonstrates powerful capabilities in many fields, it also raises concerns about facilitating plagiarism and cheating.
Faced with the rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, what challenges will the education sector encounter, and how should it respond? This topic sparked heated discussions among delegates and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) during this year's National Two Sessions.
Endless Debate:
"Opponent" or "Teammate"
Currently, some schools and educational institutions have responded to the potential ripple effects of ChatGPT in education. For example, several public schools have announced bans on ChatGPT, and numerous domestic and international academic journals have stated they will not accept any large language model tools or list ChatGPT as a "co-author" of papers.
For education, is ChatGPT a foe or a friend? This debate has been ongoing since ChatGPT's inception. Some worry that new technologies will bring more challenges, while others are optimistic about the new educational landscape they may create.
At what stage is ChatGPT currently in terms of technology? Zhou Yuan, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and founder, chairman, and CEO of Zhihu, said: "It's like seeing an airplane fly or a car run for the first time—people are excited but also concerned. Will cars run amok? Could they crash into homes? This is normal. New technologies go through an infrastructure-building phase from breakthrough to widespread civilian use, requiring the final mile of development. But I’ve always been very optimistic about technological innovation."
The impact of AI applications on education is not a new issue. The "Double Reduction" policy previously addressed the misuse of "photo search for answers" among students. Many delegates and members worry that blindly using technologies like photo search or ChatGPT could severely undermine students' independent thinking and self-learning abilities.
Before the Two Sessions, Xue Qikun, a National People's Congress delegate and president of the Southern University of Science and Technology, conducted research on ChatGPT. In his view, ChatGPT's emergence is a significant development resulting from long-term basic research and interdisciplinary collaboration. However, it remains an integration of existing knowledge without breaking the current framework of knowledge and research. As for whether it’s a foe or a friend, he drew an analogy: "Like nuclear energy—if used properly, it can benefit humanity as an energy source; if misused, it could bring disaster to all."
Many representatives, committee members, and experts believe that we should let ChatGPT "fly a little longer."
Zhang Jinbao, an associate professor at the Faculty of Education at Beijing Normal University, argues that the adverse reactions caused by ChatGPT in certain specific educational contexts do not signify much. Even the behaviors mentioned in previous reports are, in his view, merely short-term novelties for students and unlikely to become long-term habits. He believes it is too early for authorities to impose restrictions. For China, the potential negative consequences of using this software have yet to materialize.
Liu Yongmou, a researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University, said, "Some exaggerate its disruptive potential, while others underestimate its impact. Both extreme views should be avoided."
Of course, we should also give ChatGPT a chance to defend itself. When a journalist entered the question "How do you view ChatGPT's impact on education?" into ChatGPT's dialog box, the response was:
"As a large language model, ChatGPT can have a positive impact on education. Providing online learning resources: ChatGPT can offer online learning materials and engage in conversations with students. This interactive approach can help students receive better support and guidance during their learning process. Supporting self-directed learning: ChatGPT can provide learning materials and suggestions based on students' interests and needs, helping them learn more independently. This can enhance students' motivation and learning outcomes. Improving teaching methods: ChatGPT can offer tools and resources to teachers, helping them refine their teaching approaches. For example, ChatGPT can provide automated grading, speech recognition, and other functions to assist teachers in better evaluating students' learning achievements and oral expression skills."
Regarding Education:
"Pushed into a Corner" or "Opening a Window"
"ChatGPT has pushed education into a corner!" This is the assessment of Ni Minjing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.
Regarding the current side effects of ChatGPT, Ni Minjing stated, "Education will experience a period of adjustment. For instance, students might use it to find answers or even write papers directly. Education has its inertia, and new developments can cause some chaos. It’s understandable that some schools might block it. However, I believe that the emergence of new technologies calls for higher-level learning content and the construction of new cognitive abilities."
In his view, the advent of ChatGPT should be seen as a significant opportunity for educational reform. If traditional teaching methods remain unchanged, education cannot sustain itself merely by blocking ChatGPT. Only through diversification can new growth points for education be explored."
Yu Lizhong, Honorary President of NYU Shanghai and former President of Shanghai Normal University, commented on the ripples caused by ChatGPT: "Our educational reforms are still stuck in traditional thinking. Merely focusing on revising textbooks, syllabi, and course systems is insufficient. More importantly, our training models, school structures, and educational paradigms must evolve."
Ni Minjing believes that in the face of these challenges, educational reform requires major adjustments in three key areas. First, the primary goal of education should shift to cultivating individuals capable of independent thinking and sound value judgment, rather than merely acquiring specific knowledge. Second, teaching methodologies must undergo significant changes, with a focus on leveraging tools like ChatGPT to enhance education rather than avoiding or fearing them. Third, education must transcend knowledge acquisition and place greater emphasis on the quality of learning.
While there is some consensus on the transformative potential of ChatGPT, the question of how education should respond remains a topic of careful planning. Liu Yongmou notes that in the educational sphere, ChatGPT has shown initial promise in assisting learning, teaching, and research, but it also raises issues such as academic misconduct and disruptions to existing educational systems. Integrating ChatGPT into education is not as simple as introducing it into classrooms or smart teaching platforms; it must be closely tied to updates in educational philosophies and transformations in teaching systems. Therefore, the digital transformation of education is not merely a technical application—it requires prior research, comprehensive planning, and tailored approaches to leverage strengths and mitigate weaknesses.
Breaking the Deadlock:
"Go with the Flow" or "Lock It in a Cage"?
In reality, ChatGPT is far from the "brilliant genius" many perceive it to be. For instance, it can effortlessly answer nonsensical questions like "How did Zhuge Liang defeat Qin Shi Huang?" with incorrect and absurd responses. Current versions of ChatGPT still struggle to fully comprehend information or analyze the logical relationships within it, and such factual errors can mislead students.
Moreover, many representatives and committee members have raised concerns about the potential risks posed by ChatGPT. In March 2022, the General Office of the Central Committee and the State Council issued the Opinions on Strengthening the Governance of Science and Technology Ethics, identifying artificial intelligence as a key area requiring enhanced ethical oversight. Currently, China's AI sector faces ethical challenges such as intellectual property infringement, the generation of false information, algorithmic "black boxes," and privacy breaches. For example, ChatGPT operates online, posing risks of privacy leaks and infringement. If educational data is misused, it could harm underage students.
From Xue Qikun's perspective, AI raises issues related to ethics, intellectual property, and academic misconduct. The next step involves carefully studying how to harness AI to serve talent development, and educational authorities should make corresponding policy adjustments.
Similarly, emerging technologies in digital transformation may widen educational disparities. Liu Yongmou noted: "Regional variations in network quality, device availability, and teachers' digital literacy create unequal access to AI-driven educational benefits. Current ChatGPT discussions predominantly occur in major cities, potentially deepening regional digital divides in education."
During this year's Two Sessions, the China Association for Promoting Democracy submitted a proposal on strengthening AI ethics governance. China currently faces multiple challenges: insufficient implementable laws with unclear compliance baselines, fragmented oversight with undefined responsibilities, and gaps in ethical review mechanisms.
Wang Xiaofan, CPPCC National Committee member and Vice President of Shanghai University, argued that responses to AI advancements like ChatGPT should avoid either excessive restriction or laissez-faire approaches, advocating instead for steady integration of AI in higher education.
Liu Yongmou emphasized gradual, sustainable digital education reforms: "Digitalization isn't the sole driver of educational change, nor does AI always guarantee progress. Transformation requires phased implementation with continuous feedback mechanisms." Issues like students using ChatGPT for assignments will likely be resolved through targeted adjustments.