Learning
The AI Revolution: How Asia’s Top Schools Are Embracing ChatGPT
Explore how Asia’s leading international schools are integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their curricula to enhance learning and prepare students for an AI-driven future.
TL;DR:
- ChatGPT is transforming education, with 96% of students using it for schoolwork.
- Asia’s leading international schools are integrating AI tools into their curricula to enhance learning.
- Educators are focusing on ethical use and preparing students for an AI-driven future.
In November 2022, Elon Musk tweeted, “It’s a new world. Goodbye, homework,” in response to the release of ChatGPT. This powerful AI chatbot has sparked a mix of awe and concern, especially in education. But how are Asia’s best international schools dealing with this new technology? Let’s dive in.
The Rise of ChatGPT in Education
ChatGPT, an AI chatbot capable of creating plausible answers and even rhyming poetry, has taken the world by storm. With roughly five million visits a day, it’s no surprise that educators are both excited and worried. This advanced chatbot can make lessons more interactive, teach media literacy, generate personalised lesson plans, and help teachers save time on administrative tasks.
Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, sees immense potential in AI. In a TED Talk session, he said, “I think we’re at the cusp of using AI for probably the biggest positive transformation that education has ever seen. We can give every student on the planet an artificially intelligent but amazing personal tutor.”
Concerns Over Academic Integrity
However, not everyone is as hopeful. Following OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT, the chatbot faced immediate backlash, being criticised as a tool for cheating on assignments. A 2024 survey by Intelligent.com found that 96% of students used ChatGPT for schoolwork and 80% for other tasks like communication and job searching. Meanwhile, 69% use the tool for help with writing assignments, and 29% have ChatGPT write entire essays.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the US, quickly blocked access to OpenAI’s website. By January, school districts across the English-speaking world had followed suit, from Washington and New York in the US to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. Even leading UK universities, including Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge, warned students against using ChatGPT to cheat.
This reaction was mirrored in Asia. “Many classes require students to submit reports, and we worry that we won’t be able to spot the use of ChatGPT for assignments,” says Kyushu University Vice President Prof. Takeru Nose.
Embracing AI in Asia’s Best International Schools
Fast-forward to 2024, and educators recognise that ChatGPT is here to stay, with 56% of educators expecting AI use to increase significantly, according to a survey by the EdWeek Research Centre. Asia’s best international schools are already embracing this change. Instead of fearing ChatGPT, they are exploring how to harness its potential to enhance learning.
The Australian International School (AIS)
The Australian International School (AIS) includes AI tools like ChatGPT in its teaching methods. By encouraging its faculty to use these technologies, the school aims to gain valuable insights into their strategic application, enhancing the overall learning experience. For example, AIS students in the English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme use ChatGPT to provide immediate translation services, making language acquisition more accessible and efficient.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
In March, the International Baccalaureate (IB), the governing body of curricula for most of Hong Kong’s international schools, made a statement regarding AI integration:
“The IB believes that AI technology will become part of our everyday lives – like spell checkers, translation software, and calculators. We, therefore, need to adapt and transform our educational programmes and assessment practices so that students can use these new AI tools ethically and effectively. The IB will not ban the use of such software but will work with schools to help them support their students in using these tools ethically in line with our principles of academic integrity.”
Westbourne College Singapore
At Westbourne College Singapore in River Valley, ChatGPT is viewed as a transformative tool for enhancing education and the overall schooling experience.
“We are living in an age where innovations such as ChatGPT are going to disrupt how we do things, and we are going to have to learn how to adapt to such significant and rapid changes,” says Dr. Gerard Griffiths, Global Education Director of Westbourne College. “The technology will not be used as a crutch but as a trampoline to launch standards to even greater heights.”
Tanglin Trust School in Singapore
John Ridley, Director of Learning at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore, argues that AI is not the end of traditional education methods.
“This is not the end of schools, homework, examinations or teachers,” he says. “At Tanglin, our philosophy is to embrace new technology where it supports our core purpose — the education of our young people — and AI is no different. There will be changes to the way we do things, but our aim will be for both teachers and students to be able to use AI tools confidently and responsibly in support of their learning.”
Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
While plagiarism is a major concern for educators, and with ChatGPT becoming more prevalent, there’s fear that even more students will use it to complete their assignments, potentially leading to the end of traditional homework and exams. However, educators are focusing on ethical use and preparing students for an AI-driven future.
The Future of Education with AI
As AI continues to evolve, collaboration among educators, policymakers, and technologists will be crucial to ensure its integration promotes equity, integrity, and quality in education. By embracing AI tools like ChatGPT, Asia’s best international schools are preparing students for a future where AI literacy is as essential as reading and writing.
By embracing AI tools like ChatGPT, Asia’s best international schools are paving the way for a future where AI literacy is as essential as reading and writing. As educators focus on ethical use and prepare students for an AI-driven future, the potential for transformative learning experiences is immense.
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