Will ChatGPT be able to pass a college course?
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, researchers recently tested ChatGPT in a control systems course context as part of a broader study on its academic assistance potential [1]. The study focused on course AE 353: Aerospace Control Systems, though the precise details of the experimental setup are limited.
The researchers simulated a realistic usage style for ChatGPT, mimicking a time-pressured student. They recorded scores across different task types to understand ChatGPT's performance. ChatGPT was given the same assignments students received in the course.
The study implicitly assessed ChatGPT's ability as an educational tool, examining how accurately and reliably it responds to control systems questions or problems, and whether its use could help students pass courses by providing correct, high-quality answers. The findings also highlighted potential limitations, such as areas where ChatGPT might underperform or provide incorrect guidance.
However, the explicit methodology and results regarding performance in control systems are not detailed in the available data. The class average for human students was around 84.99%, and ChatGPT earned a B grade (82.24%) in the course.
Interestingly, ChatGPT delivered near-perfect answers on routine, structured math questions but struggled with open-ended analysis questions, earning a 62%. This suggests that while ChatGPT is proficient at handling rote tasks, it may not be as effective in encouraging critical thinking and learning.
The study raises important questions for educators about how to incorporate tools like ChatGPT into their teaching methods. Researcher Melkior Ornik, who teaches courses like Aerospace Control Systems and Multivariable Control Design, plans to consider how to design courses to include more open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and learning.
In light of these findings, it's clear that a lazy student could potentially rely on ChatGPT to breeze through math assignments and get a passing grade. However, educators need to consider how to design their courses to encourage critical thinking and learning, ensuring that students truly understand the material rather than relying solely on tools like ChatGPT.
The results of the study suggest that the inclusion of more open-ended questions could help students reach a higher level of critical thinking and truly learn the material. As ChatGPT continues to be a tool that students will use, it's essential for educators to adapt their teaching methods to include more higher-level questions and project-based assignments.
- The study serves as a starting point for investigating the potential of technology, such as ChatGPT, in the field of education and self-development, specifically within the context of a control systems course.
- As educators start to incorporate tools like ChatGPT into their teaching methods, there is a need to design courses that foster critical thinking and learning, which could involve an increased use of open-ended questions and project-based assignments, rather than relying solely on rote tasks.
