MADE for U of T | Ep. 08 | ChatGPT

Listen to the podcast: Chatting about ChatGPT...with ChatGPT

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Prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast? Below is a transcript of the interview.  It has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Inga Breede (IB): Welcome to a more unusual episode of MADE for U of T.  I’m Inga Breede and this is the first episode about, you guessed it, Chat GPT.  But there’s another first for this episode.  While I am working on bringing in guests to speak more on the topic of AI language models like Chat GPT and it’s impact on education and content creation, I decided to start the conversation about the tool…with the tool itself. Instead of talking to a human guest about instructional design and content development, we're talking to an AI language model known as ChatGPT. We'll be exploring how ChatGPT can be used as a tool for instructional designers, and how it can help to streamline the content development process and create more engaging and personalized learning experiences for students or learners.  What you’ll be hearing are the prompts I entered into ChatGPT and it’s response, using a text-to-speech reader. So, let's dive into my “conversation” with ChatGPT and learn more about the potential of AI in education.

Hello Chat GPT how are you doing today?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have feelings or emotions, but I'm functioning well and ready to assist you with any questions or tasks you have. How can I help you today?

IB: Can you give me 3 short examples of how ChatGPT can be used as a tool for instructional design?

ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are three examples of how ChatGPT can be used as a tool for instructional design:

1. Content development: ChatGPT can assist in the development of course content by generating text on a specific topic or subject matter. Instructional designers can provide a prompt or a set of keywords, and ChatGPT can generate paragraphs or sections of text that can be used in course materials such as presentations, handouts, or readings.
2. Personalized learning: ChatGPT can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students or learners. By analyzing a student's learning history or performance, ChatGPT can generate content or suggest activities that are tailored to the individual's needs and level of knowledge.
3. Assessment: ChatGPT can help instructional designers create assessment questions or prompts by generating examples or scenarios related to a specific topic. Instructional designers can also use ChatGPT to generate answers or explanations to these questions, which can be used to provide feedback to students or learners.

IB: Let's focus on content development for a moment. How can a designer ensure that the content generated by ChatGPT is accurate?

ChatGPT: Ensuring the accuracy of the content generated by ChatGPT is crucial for instructional designers. Here are some tips to ensure that the content is accurate:

1. Provide specific prompts or keywords: When requesting content from ChatGPT, provide specific prompts or keywords that are relevant to the topic. This will help ChatGPT to generate content that is more accurate and focused.
2. Use credible sources: Provide credible sources and reference materials to ChatGPT. These sources can include textbooks, academic papers, or reputable websites that are known for their accuracy and reliability.
3. Evaluate the generated content: After ChatGPT generates the content, it's important to evaluate it to ensure accuracy. This can be done by reviewing the content for factual errors or inconsistencies, cross-referencing it with other sources, and verifying any claims or statements made.
4. Edit and revise: It's essential to edit and revise the content generated by ChatGPT before using it in instructional materials. This can involve rewriting sentences or paragraphs to ensure clarity, checking grammar and spelling, and verifying that the content aligns with the learning objectives and outcomes.

By following these tips, instructional designers can ensure that the content generated by ChatGPT is accurate and suitable for their instructional needs.

IB:  Edit and Revise is an interesting tip. Would you say that this also helps to ensure that the content sounds more like the writer's voice?

ChatGPT: Yes, editing and revising the content generated by ChatGPT can help make it sound more like the writer's voice. When ChatGPT generates content, it uses a set of algorithms to analyze and generate text based on the given prompt or keywords. While the content may be accurate and relevant, it may not necessarily reflect the tone or style of the writer.  By editing and revising the content, the writer can ensure that the language, tone, and style align with their personal writing style and the intended audience. This can also help to ensure that the content flows logically, is easy to understand, and is engaging for the reader.

Furthermore, editing and revising the content can help to eliminate any grammatical errors or awkward phrasing that may be present in the generated content, thereby enhancing its overall readability and coherence. By taking the time to edit and revise the content, instructional designers can improve the quality and effectiveness of their instructional materials, and create a more engaging and effective learning experience for their students or learners.

IB: And should the human writer give credit for any content that was generated by ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: Yes, if a human writer uses content generated by ChatGPT in their instructional materials or any other work, they should give credit to ChatGPT or the AI language model that generated the content. This is because the content generated by ChatGPT is created through machine learning algorithms and is not the sole creation of the human writer.  In academic or research settings, it is especially important to give credit for any content generated by ChatGPT or other AI language models used. This can be done by citing the source of the content, such as the name of the AI language model or the specific software used to generate the content.  It is also worth noting that ChatGPT or other AI language models should not be used to generate content for work that requires original, creative thought, such as fiction or poetry. In these cases, it is important to ensure that the content is entirely the product of the writer's own creative process.

IB: Where did you source the information that you provided today?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I was trained on a large corpus of text data, including books, articles, and websites. My knowledge is derived from this vast corpus of information, which covers a wide range of subjects and topics. For the specific information provided in our conversation today about instructional design and the use of ChatGPT, I drew on my training data as well as my programming and natural language processing capabilities to generate responses based on my understanding of these concepts.  It's worth noting that the information I provide is intended to be general in nature and is not intended to replace professional advice or expertise. If you have specific questions or concerns about instructional design or the use of AI in education, it's always a good idea to consult with a qualified professional.

IB: Thank you for chatting with me today. Do you have any final thoughts on how an instructional designer can use ChatGPT?

ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are a few final thoughts on how instructional designers can use ChatGPT:

1. Use ChatGPT as a tool, not a replacement: ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for instructional designers, but it should not be seen as a replacement for human expertise or creativity. Instructional designers should use ChatGPT as a supplement to their own knowledge and expertise, and should always review and edit the generated content before using it in their instructional materials.
2. Focus on specific prompts and keywords: To ensure that the content generated by ChatGPT is accurate and relevant, instructional designers should focus on specific prompts and keywords related to their subject matter. This can help ChatGPT to generate content that is more focused and aligned with the learning objectives and outcomes.
3. Consider the audience: When using ChatGPT to generate content, instructional designers should consider the needs and preferences of their audience. This can include factors such as age, educational background, and learning style, and can help to ensure that the content is engaging and effective for the intended audience.
4. Keep up with developments in AI: Finally, instructional designers should stay up to date with developments in AI and natural language processing. This can help them to stay informed about new tools and techniques that can be used to enhance their instructional materials and create more effective learning experiences for their students or learners.

Overall, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for instructional designers, and can help to streamline the content development process and create more personalized and engaging learning experiences for students or learners.

IB: Thanks for chatting with me today, ChatGPT.

ChatGPT: You're welcome! It was my pleasure to chat with you today. If you have any further questions or topics you'd like to discuss, don't hesitate to ask!

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