Brief Description of Resource

In their education journey, students encounter many texts they struggle to read and comprehend. These complex texts usually lead students to seek out outside explanations. In this lesson, students will compare an accepted explanation/translation of a complex historical source to a ChatGPT-generated explanation. The goal is to build confidence in human explanation and show that ChatGPT may not always pull enough or accurate information on complex texts.

Instructions for Use/Implementation

Pre-work:

  1. The teacher selects a text that is historical or translated. The goal is for the text to be one that students regularly have trouble understanding and need additional resources or class time to comprehend. (Ex. G.W.F. Hegel or Shakespeare
    1. Based on time constraints, the teacher should consider assigning the reading the night before or only using a part of the text.
  2. The teacher will make or find an explanation of the text that will help students comprehend the text.
  3. The teacher will need to make comprehension questions for the text.

In Class:

  1. Divide students into three groups. If students haven’t already, have them read the text.
  2. Give group 1 the explanation of the text the teacher prefers/made. Have group 2 ask ChatGPT to explain the text with one prompt (Ex. Explain Phenomenology of Spirit by G.W.F. Hegel). Have group 3 use as many prompts as they need to get an explanation of the text (students in this group should use specific questions about parts of the text that confuse them).
  3. Once students finish their explanations, give them a list of questions about the text. All students can refer to their explanations, but groups 2 and 3 cannot generate any more responses. 
  4. Have students in different groups compare their answers.
    1. Which group understood the text the most?
    2. Which group understood the text the least?
    3. Which method seems the most reliable?
    4. Did ChatGPT get anything wrong? Why do you think this is? 
    5. When presented with complex sources what is the best way to fully and accurately understand them?
    6. ChatGPT may be pulling from incorrect or misinterpreted sources. How can students double-check where ChatGPT is getting its information from? 
    7. Did the non-ChatGPT explanation miss anything? 
    8. What are the pros and cons of using generative AI in a school/ research setting? 

AI Tool Used

ChatGPT

Prep Time Needed

30 min

Classroom Time Needed

Approximately 1 hour

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will see the need for caution when using ChatGPT and learn how to use ChatGPT to help them comprehend complex sources. They will also see how to use ChatGPT to support their understanding and why it is important for it to support learning instead of doing the thinking for them.

Assessment Considerations

Recommended Course Size

Any

Recommended Discipline(s)

Philosophy, History, English

Student Role(s)

Learning about and using ChatGPT

Instructor Role

Lead Students and explain the caution needed when using ChatGPT

List Author(s) Name Here (required): Kimberly Madero
Photo Source (required): Mikhail Nilov
Image Alternate Text: Person Writing on Graph Paper

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