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Technology like ChatGPT has become a major talking point worldwide. So, the recent online webinar organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) in conjunction with the University of Limerick was a timely exploration of the subject.
Over 500 Education and Training Board principals, deputy principals and teachers were in attendance for the online event, as well as members from the 16 ETBs throughout Ireland. The aim of the webinar was to discuss the implications of ChatGPT for both educators and learners and also to explore how schools and colleges can be supported as they navigate its potential for integration into education.
According to the Chairperson of ETBI’s Digital Strategy Group and Director of Schools at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Donncha O’Treasaigh, the webinar was designed to “actively engage with our schools and colleges to raise their awareness about this new technology”. It also set out to future-proof schools by “equipping them with expert knowledge and advice from guest speakers who add to the important conversation around AI in schools”.
ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle agreed that it was “important for school leaders and teachers to be prepared, so they can explore the potential of this exciting new technology and safely negotiate its possible challenges.”
Many educators believe this can be achieved by developing a code of behaviour in schools and colleges around the use of AI, which has caused concern in education sectors, with ChatGPT able to generate text and images in response to prompts even if it’s not accurate or original content.
The recent ChatGPT webinar was delivered in collaboration with the University of Limerick and featured guest speakers like UL Professor Stephen Kinsella, Associate Professor of Economics, who described the new technology as similar to the introduction of Google and spoke of plans to embrace the technology and work with it. JJ Collins, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, discussed the many benefits and capabilities of the technology; while Vivienne Hogan, Principal, of Limerick and Clare ETB’s Thomond Community College, spoke about the many practical issues and challenges posed in schools by the new technology.
Other themes explored during the webinar included how this AI has the potential to be a powerful learning tool for personalised learning, possible integration in education, instant feedback techniques, the misuse of the technology, and possible plagiarism.
Another concern is that the integrity of student learning and assessment could be under threat and as a result, the State Examinations Commission is also exploring the possible risks of this latest technology and how these can be addressed.
Paul Fields, Director of Schools (Post-Primary) with ETBI, also spoke during the webinar, thanking the panel for their valuable input and acknowledging the impact the technology will have on students, teachers, and leaders in education.
Watch the full video of the recent ChatGPT: Implications for Schools Webinar here.
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