Introduction
Schools, publishers, and the entire educational system are facing a crucial transformation. The advent of ChatGPT has acted as a catalyst in this. It has painfully become clear how fragile the foundation of the education system actually is. The rise of a "simple" chatbot almost tangibly shakes the education system. And why? Has education been asleep? Yes.
The way 'education' views the rise of ChatGPT is also - or rather, especially - blown out of proportion by the media. Stories that are really nothing more than tall tales. ChatGPT would merely be a tool for students to automate their work. This undermines its true potential. Yes, a student can use it to draft an essay, but writing a complete thesis requires in-depth knowledge and expertise about ChatGPT.
Moreover, the rise of chatbots - especially when managed by the educational institution itself - opens many doors to a changing way of learning and teaching. Whereas Socrates (circa 469 BC to 399 BC) became known almost 2500 years ago for his questioning to uncover the foundation of an argument, questioning MathGPT or GraphGPT now helps you identify your real problem. A new didactic concept is born.
Student
An ideal education system is as unrealistic as an ideal solution. Chatbots are not here to "solve" problems but to lighten the lives of both teachers and students. In our contemporary society, where so much is asked of our students and teachers, a chatbot like MathGPT can provide some breathing space.
For the student, there are clear benefits. Imagine getting stuck on a topic, such as math, as a student. Instead of waiting for school time, or depending on the availability and temperament of your teacher, MathGPT can offer immediate assistance. It's not just a helpline; MathGPT is there to guide you, to help you analyze your problems, and to encourage you to come up with solutions on your own. And yes, if you ask for it, it can provide direct answers.
The deployment of this technology is by no means intended to replace or make the teacher redundant. On the contrary, it allows teachers to rediscover and deepen their specialist role, by focusing on what is really important in the educational process. The human aspect of learning can never be fully replaced, and that is not the goal. These tools are here to help, to supplement, and to enrich our education.
Teacher
As mentioned in the introduction, integrating chatbots into your educational practice will not bring about a utopia. The original intention behind the development of tools like MathGPT and GraphGPT was not to reinvent the wheel, but to strengthen education. While MathGPT and GraphGPT focus on supporting students, ScoolGPT is an educational response to the rise of such technologies, allowing education to regain control.
Now, what does this mean for didactics? Implementing a chatbot in your class is not an attempt to radically change the education system, but rather to refine the classroom dynamics. You, as a teacher, will notice that your role will evolve. How this technology is used in a gymnasium will undoubtedly differ from a vocational school. But imagine the relief when a frustrated vocational student vents their frustration to a computer instead of the teacher. Or the opportunity for an eager student to delve deeper and ask more in-depth questions, creating space for deeper reflection and discussion with you. As a teacher, you become more than ever the specialist - not only in your subject area but also in guiding students in critical thinking and analysis.