The Method:
We copied the last 30 threads from nine largest Fb groups on AI and education. The document, over 1000 pages long (142558 words) was uploaded to ChatGPT, with a request to perform sentiment analysis. The groups are:
- ChatGPT
for Teachers & Educators
- AI For
Teachers
- ChatGPT
for Educators
- AI for
Teachers
- The AI
Classroom
- ChatGPT
for Teachers
- Higher
Ed discussions of AI writing
- AI
Teacher Resources with ChatGPT, Canva, & Midjourney
- Higher
Ed Learning Collective
- AI and
ChatGPT in Education
The results are below:
“Here’s a summary of the key sentiments expressed:
- Privacy
and Data Security Concerns: Educators express concerns about privacy
issues related to grading student work using AI tools like ChatGPT, citing
issues such as data anonymization and the potential for data breaches.
Some educators acknowledge the measures taken to anonymize data, while
others suggest looking into AI companies that handle security well.
- Regulatory
Compliance: Awareness of regional differences in data privacy
regulations, such as GDPR in Europe, influences educator attitudes towards
AI in education. Some educators express understanding of why companies are
concerned about data privacy compliance, while others are less worried
personally.
- Potential
Risks and Misuse: There is a discussion about the potential risks
associated with AI, including the re-surfacing of data and the reliability
of AI outputs. Concerns are raised about AI’s potential to propagate
misinformation and its impact on the educational process.
- Practical
Applications and Benefits: Educators discuss practical uses of AI,
such as assisting in grading and providing feedback, and generating
teaching materials and lesson plans. AI is seen as a tool that can save
time and enhance the learning experience.
- AI
for Personalized Education: AI is considered useful for tasks like
writing recommendation letters and creating personalized reports,
highlighting its potential in catering to individual needs.
- Enhancing
Creativity and Engagement: Some educators are exploring innovative
ways to use AI for creative projects and enhancing student engagement,
such as creating chatbots for educational purposes and using AI for art
creation.
- Concerns
About Ethical Implications and Academic Integrity: There are
discussions about ethical considerations, such as the impact of AI on
cheating and academic integrity. Educators ponder how AI might affect the
nature of assessment and student work.
- Need
for Professional Development and Policy Frameworks: The importance of
professional development for educators to understand and effectively use
AI is emphasized. There are requests for AI use policy templates and
guidance on integrating AI into educational practices.
- Diverse
Perspectives and Experiences: The sentiment among educators varies
widely, with some expressing excitement and optimism about AI’s potential
in education, while others show caution and skepticism. This diversity
highlights the need for continued dialogue and exploration of AI’s role in
education.
- Emerging
Tools and Platforms: Educators are actively exploring and sharing
various AI tools and platforms that can aid in teaching and learning,
demonstrating a keen interest in staying abreast of technological
advancements.
In summary, while there is significant interest and optimism
about the potential of AI in education, concerns about privacy, data security,
and ethical implications are prominent. The educators also highlight the
importance of professional development in AI, the need for policies to guide
its use, and the exploration of creative and innovative applications to enhance
teaching and learning.” (ChatGPT 4, retrieved 12/14/2023).
Comment: The sample includes only educators and others
already interested in the uses of AI in education, with one exception. They are
in no way a representative sample. However, even among this self-selected
groups, the concerns still dominate over excitement and over pragmatics. While
concerned, educators readily exchange practical tips on how to use AI to reduce
their own workload. They are also very curious about specialized AI tools
developed for educators. This should be taken into consideration by anyone
panning to develop policy or offer professional development to educators.
Disclaimer: This analysis is done within the legal
framework of investigative reporting, which does not require a formal IRB
approval. Although I am a trained researcher, I am acting here as a
blogger/journalist. This is not research and does not imply any claims of
validity.
Thanks to Adriana Menjivar Enriquez for assistance. Feel
free to suggest other questions to ask about the file. I have several in mind,
and will publish more results next week.
