A School Play in the Times of AI
A Technologically Mediated Theatrical Triumph
Mr. Jay, if you happen to read this piece: thank you for being an awesome teacher!
There's a growing buzz about the impact of AI on education and the learning processes of our children. It's undeniable: AI is a transformative force, capable of reshaping our world in profound ways—both positive and negative. Yet, it's intriguing how many of us are drawn to the bleakest possibilities, often without substantial evidence. Take, for instance, the widespread concern that once students get their hands on tools like ChatGPT, they'll abandon any attempt at original work, opting instead to submit homework crafted entirely by the AI. It's a scenario that's capturing a lot of attention, but is it really grounded in reality?
Let's delve into some of the concerns commonly voiced about AI's role in education and contrast them with real-world outcomes. It's curious how quick people are to theorize about AI in schools, often without the rigor of testing these theories practically.
Consider the frequently mentioned 'homework problem'. This issue isn't just a topic of conversation in primary schools, but also, quite surprisingly, in higher education circles. As someone who interacts with a number of academic philosophers, I've noticed an interesting trend: ChatGPT's proficiency in generating philosophical essays on standard topics. This revelation might come as a bit of a shock, especially to those who view philosophy as the zenith of human intellectual endeavors.
The way I see it, if ChatGPT can craft a homework response that earns a top grade, the issue lies not with the student or ChatGPT, but with the assignment itself. Intrinsically, ChatGPT isn't a powerhouse of originality. It excels at the obvious, producing outputs that, without a dash of personal creativity, tend to be mediocre and cliché-ridden - think of it like SEO content full of commonplaces. Therefore, if ChatGPT successfully tackles a homework task, it's a sign that the assignment was flawed from the start, long before AI entered the picture. It implies the homework doesn't challenge students to think independently, but rather encourages them to parrot back classroom teachings. In my opinion, this represents not only a colossal waste of their time but also a blatant underestimation of their intelligence and creativity. Moreover, I have a hunch that if homework assignments are genuinely intriguing, students would prefer not to rely on ChatGPT. Engaging in an interesting task is, for most, inherently enjoyable.
Let's shift focus to a real-life application of AI. This story comes from my son's school. He's 10 years old and currently in the fourth grade, but this event unfolded during his third-grade year. The class was gearing up for their end-of-year school play. Rysio, my son, was not too keen on the script provided by his teacher, Mr. Jay. True to his assertive nature, Rysio expressed his dissatisfaction. In response, Mr. Jay, exemplifying the approach of a mature and reasonable adult, challenged him: 'If you don't like the script, write your own. Then, the class can choose which one they prefer.' Given the substantial effort required to write a script, Mr. Jay probably assumed this suggestion would close the matter.
However, the challenge ignited a spark in Rysio. Far from being deterred, he returned home brimming with enthusiasm to pen his own script, with a little help from ChatGPT. His vision? A script infused with more science fiction elements, something more captivating. Rysio, a fountain of ideas, used ChatGPT as a tool to refine and shape his thoughts. He had several themes in mind and engaged in a dialogue with the AI about the best ways to weave them into his story, all while keeping practical constraints in mind. He wanted to ensure the script didn’t demand an excessive number of props or costumes, to avoid overburdening his classmates.
It's crucial to note that ChatGPT alone couldn't fulfill Rysio's creative standards. Its capacity for creativity is limited. The real imaginative force was Rysio himself. What ChatGPT excelled at, however, was handling the more tedious aspects: crafting filler dialogue, allocating roles, and so on. It took the drudgery out of the process. After several hours of collaboration with the AI, Rysio emerged with a script he was satisfied him.
The following day, Rysio presented his script to Mr. Jay, and this was a juncture where things could have easily taken a wrong turn. Mr. Jay could have interpreted this as cheating, dismissed the idea out of fear or skepticism, or even reacted negatively to what might have seemed like a challenge to his own script. Instead, Mr. Jay's reaction was one of pleasant surprise and admiration. He hadn't anticipated receiving a complete script so quickly. According to my son, Mr. Jay appeared both amazed and delighted by the turn of events. He encouraged Rysio, saying it was fantastic and suggested he should develop a few more scripts. Then, they could choose the best one for the school play through a class vote. Embracing this encouragement, Rysio went on to create two additional scenarios.
The next day brought the moment of decision, as Rysio's class voted on the scripts. They selected one of Rysio's creations—a thrilling tale of children venturing to ancient Egypt in a time machine. While ChatGPT had proven adept at handling the routine aspects of scriptwriting, it fell short in infusing the narrative with real creativity. Mr. Jay recognized this, noting the script's lack of vibrancy and flair. Consequently, the class didn't use the script as is. Instead, they collectively refined and enlivened it, infusing it with genuinely amusing humor—the kind that springs from human wit rather than artificial intelligence.
I'll admit, I might be a bit biased, but when the school play finally hit the stage at year's end, I was genuinely blown away. In the past, my enjoyment of school plays was largely because of my son's involvement. But this time was different. It was genuinely funny and engaging, a play I would have relished even without my son's presence on stage. It was clear that Mr. Jay recognized the utility of the tool. By leveraging AI to handle the more mundane aspects, he and the class were able to devote more energy to the truly fun and engaging parts of the project, resulting in a play that was both enjoyable and a testament to their collective creativity.
An important aspect of this whole experience was Rysio's transparency about using AI. He didn't claim sole credit for writing the script but was upfront about ChatGPT's role in the process. This openness is crucial, especially considering the context of the task. Had the assignment been about individually crafting a short story, where the focus is on one's ability to create a cohesive narrative, the use of AI would have been a different matter. ChatGPT, after all, simplifies tasks like grammar and spelling, which are typically being assessed in such assignments. But in the case of scripting a school play, the primary focus wasn’t on spelling or grammar—elements the teacher would have revised anyway before the performance. The emphasis was on creating an engaging and entertaining script, a goal where ChatGPT served as a helpful tool rather than the main creator.
I view ChatGPT as a 'creativity multiplier.' Essentially, this means that if you bring intriguing ideas to the table, ChatGPT can accelerate your creative process. It enables you to reach your intended outcome more swiftly and with less effort. However, it’s important to note that ChatGPT’s effectiveness hinges on the quality of the input it receives. Without a foundation of interesting ideas, the tool's potential to enhance your work is limited.
In the age of readily available AI tools like ChatGPT, educators face the challenge of designing homework assignments that not only engage students but also encourage original thought and critical engagement. Here are some strategies for creating such assignments:
Focus on Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Design assignments that challenge students to apply concepts in novel ways, pushing beyond AI's capabilities. This could involve complex problem-solving or applying learned theories to new situations, fostering deeper understanding and innovation.
Emphasize Creativity and Originality: Encourage tasks demanding creativity, such as writing original stories or developing unique solutions. AI can assist, but the core ideas should be student-generated, fostering original thinking and ensuring genuine authorship.
Incorporate Open-Ended Questions: Utilize questions without definitive answers, like opinion essays or complex issue analyses. These compel students to form their own viewpoints and reason independently, areas where AI is not a substitute.
Encourage Self-Reflection: Assign tasks requiring personal reflection, such as journals or self-analysis essays. These inherently personal assignments encourage introspection and self-expression, skills that AI cannot replicate.
As we venture into the evolving world of AI in education, there's a genuine sense of optimism about what lies ahead. The advent of tools like ChatGPT marks the beginning of a new era in educational possibilities, fostering enhanced learning and creativity. The critical factor for harnessing this potential is maintaining an open and adaptable mindset. However, a significant challenge emerges when educators opt to disregard these technological advancements. Such a stance, characterized by a deliberate choice to ignore the presence and impact of AI, can be counterproductive. It's particularly problematic given that students are already aware of and utilizing these tools. In essence, the technological 'genie' is already out of the bottle, and failing to acknowledge this reality can create a disconnect between teaching methods and students' experiences. By embracing AI as a complement to human intellect, we can devise more effective, creative educational strategies. This journey demands ongoing adaptation and reassessment, positioning AI as a catalyst for deeper understanding and innovation. In our rapidly advancing technological age, learning to integrate and evolve alongside AI is crucial for shaping the future of education and our broader interaction with emerging technologies.
Great piece, Ric! I really enjoyed your insights and agree with your perspective. I'm glad that my daughter was part of this, and Mr. Jay indeed should be praised for his openness.