A 27-year veteran English teacher in rural Oregon initially became concerned about ChatGPT after a former student warned it could be used for cheating. After spending time learning about the tool, the teacher became nervous, realizing that ChatGPT could generate essays based on prompts. However, rather than focusing on preventing cheating, the teacher explored how to use ChatGPT as a classroom resource to support critical thinking and writing skills. While experimenting with the tool, the teacher noticed some initial mistakes but recognized its potential as the technology improved. After discussing with administrators and a tech specialist, the teacher decided to integrate ChatGPT into lessons and activities for 12th-grade students, aiming to use the AI as a tool for learning rather than cheating.
I’ve Been a Teacher for 27 Years. When ChatGPT First came out, I was Terrified; now, I let my Students use it to Write Essays
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