Guidelines for Using AI

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Guidelines for Using AI in English Lessons

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a collection of technologies that enable machines to learn, reason, and communicate in a way that mimics, and sometimes even surpasses, human capabilities.

Examples of AI in everyday life include:

Voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant

Recommendation systems such as those used by Netflix and Spotify

Facial recognition on smartphones

Generative AI is a type of computer technology that can create new content, such as text, images, or music, by learning patterns from existing data. It's like a super-smart robot that can write stories, draw pictures, or make songs based on what it has learned. Think of it as a creative assistant that helps you come up with new ideas and complete tasks. 

Do you personally use any AI-tool(s)? If yes, which ones?

Language models work by predicting what the next word in a sentence or text might be. The most popular language model is ChatGPT. This AI tool has the largest number of users. Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has experienced tremendous growth, reaching 100 million users within 30 days. In 2024, ChatGPT receives approximately 3 billion monthly website visits.

ChatGPT is a smart computer program that can have conversations, answer questions, and help with homework by using information it has learned. It can help you study by explaining difficult topics, suggesting ideas for essays, or practicing English skills. It's like having a helpful tutor available anytime you need it.

Can ChatGPT make mistakes and produce wrong answers?

Are there any risks and dangers related to use of ChatGPT? If yes, can you mention any of them?

Generative AI can sometimes create fake or misleading information that looks real, which can confuse people. It can also be biased. It might also be used unethically to copy someone else's work or invade privacy by generating personal data. Additionally, relying too much on it can make you less creative and independent.

Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is the art of crafting questions or statements to get useful responses from ChatGPT. The quality of the prompts you use directly affects the usefulness of the responses. 

Here are some tips and examples:

Tips for Effective Prompts:

Be Specific: Clearly state what you need.

Give Context: Provide background information if necessary.

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage detailed responses.

Use Clear Language: Avoid ambiguous terms.

Examples of Useful Prompts

Reading Practice: "Can you summarize the main themes of [book title] by [author]?"

Writing Practice: "Give me detailed feedback on grammar (structure/ vocabulary/ content) of my story about a teenager who moves to a new country and give suggestions for its improvement."

Speaking Practice: "What are some common phrases used in a job interview? Provide a sample dialogue."

Listening Practice: "Give me a list of podcasts suitable for intermediate English learners."

Vocabulary Practice: "What are some advanced synonyms for the word 'happy'? Use them in sentences."

I am having difficulty learning [insert topic]. Help me understand it better by using First Principles Thinking. Break down the topic into most fundamental principles and build a clear logical understanding from the ground up. 

Summarize the text below into a concise overview, highlighting the key insights and most important facts in a bullet-point list. Ensure the summary captures the essence and main points of the text. [insert text] 

I am new to using ChatGPT and I am a [insert your profession]. Generate a list of the 10 best prompts that will help me be more productive and efficient in my role. Ensure the prompts are tailored to the typical tasks and challenges of my profession. 

I want to learn / get better at [insert desired skill]. I am a complete beginner. Create a detailed 30-day learning plan that includes daily tasks and goals to help a beginner like me learn and improve this skill effectively. 

Practicing All Skills in English

Reading:

Use ChatGPT to get summaries and analyses of books and articles.

Ask for comprehension questions about a text you’ve read.

Writing:

Request feedback on essays or short stories.

Ask ChatGPT to help you brainstorm ideas for writing assignments.

Speaking:

Practice dialogues with ChatGPT. For example, "Pretend you are a shop assistant and I am a customer. Let's have a conversation."

Use it to practice pronunciation by asking, "How do you pronounce the word [word]?"

Listening:

Request recommendations for English listening materials like podcasts or audiobooks.

Ask for summaries of audio content you’ve listened to.

Vocabulary:

Ask for definitions and example sentences of new words.

Request vocabulary lists on specific topics, like "travel" or "science."

Safety Tips

Protect Your Privacy: Never share personal information with ChatGPT.

Verify Information: Use ChatGPT as a supplement, not a sole source. Verify facts with reliable sources.

Be Aware of Bias: Understand that ChatGPT may reflect biases present in the data it was trained on.

Ethical Use

Avoid Plagiarism: Use ChatGPT to generate ideas and drafts, but always write in your own words.

Respect Copyright: Do not ask for or share pirated content.

Dangers of Improper Use

Over-Reliance: Relying too heavily on ChatGPT can hinder your ability to develop independent thinking and problem-solving skills.

Misinformation: ChatGPT can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading information. Always cross-check facts.

Privacy Risks: Sharing personal information can lead to privacy breaches. Be cautious about what you share.

Academic Dishonesty: Using ChatGPT to complete assignments without understanding the material is unethical and detrimental to your learning.