Episode 14: ChatGPT In The College Classroom – A Conversation With Maddie Weston

About The Episode

In this episode of “The ChatGPT Experiment,” host Cary Weston welcomes his daughter Maddie, a junior at the University of Southern Maine. The episode provides a unique insight into the current state of ChatGPT in college settings. Maddie shares her experiences and observations about how ChatGPT is discussed, used, and regulated in academia. This conversation is particularly relevant for understanding the impact of AI on the educational journey and preparation for real-world challenges.

Main Topics Covered:

  1. ChatGPT’s role and reception in college classrooms.
  2. The diverse ways students are using ChatGPT for academic and creative purposes.
  3. The potential implications of ChatGPT on future professional fields and real-world readiness.

Key Insights/Takeaways:

  1. A mixed response from educators towards ChatGPT, ranging from outright restriction to open exploration.
  2. Students creatively using ChatGPT for organizing essays, brainstorming ideas, and aiding in creative writing.
  3. The critical need for educational systems to adapt and integrate AI tools like ChatGPT to better prepare students for a technologically advanced professional environment.

Episode Index

  1. Discussion on College Decisions and ChatGPT Use [00:00:00]
  2. Introduction to the Episode and Guest Maddie [00:00:32]
  3. ChatGPT in the Educational Sphere: Maddie’s Insights [00:01:17]
  4. Maddie’s Academic Background and Journey [00:02:52]
  5. ChatGPT Discussion and Policies in the Classroom [00:03:58]
  6. Students’ Use of ChatGPT for Academic Work [00:05:45]
  7. Creative Applications of ChatGPT Among Students [00:06:51]
  8. Implications of Restricting ChatGPT in Education [00:09:38]
  9. Enforcement of ChatGPT Usage Rules in College [00:11:46]
  10. The Disconnection Between AI Tools and Classroom Learning [00:13:51]
  11. Future Expectations of AI Integration in Professional Fields [00:14:56]
  12. The Need for Open Dialogue on ChatGPT in Education [00:16:05]
  13. Closing Remarks and Reflections on the Conversation [00:18:12]
  14. Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up [00:20:49]

About Maddie

Maddie Weston, currently pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics at the University of Southern Maine, is on a fast-track path to a law degree. As a resident assistant, she plays a significant role in campus life, combining her leadership responsibilities with a rigorous academic schedule. Her insights into ChatGPT’s role in college education, discussed in the podcast, provide a valuable perspective on how AI tools are perceived and utilized by students in contemporary academic settings.

Connect with Cary:

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear”.
You can contact the artist here