ChatGPT and AI Tools Faculty Research Guide

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool, but it’s essential for college students to use it in conjunction with other academic resources. It is not a substitute for human interaction, personalized guidance from faculty, or dedicated study efforts. However, it is a powerful tool and one that has been called "revolutionary" by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Let's take a look at some of the ways students can and are using ChatGPT.

• Brainstorming ideas
• Coming up with topic ideas
• Explaining complex information in simple terms
• Translating text to different languages
• Writing or debugging Code
• Preparing for exams and quizzes

Large Knowledge Base - ChatGPT is trained on a vast amount of data, which enables it to have a broad knowledge base covering various topics, including history, science, technology, and more.

Language Generation -  ChatGPT is capable of generating human-like responses on a wide range of topics. It can provide informative and coherent responses to various questions, engage in conversations, and provide relevant information. 

Versatility - ChatGPT can be used for a wide range of applications, including answering questions, providing explanations, generating content, offering suggestions, and more.

• May not have practical knowledge or understanding of current events (Currency) 
• May not always ask for clarifications when faced with ambiguous queries (Relevance) - needs refinement of prompts
• May Struggle to understand context or interpret nuances accurately (Accuracy) 'Hallucinations'-makes up stuff
• Inability to verify information (Authority)
• Ethical concerns (Purpose) - bias, equity, and privacy issues

The American Library Association defines Information Literacy as "a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. (American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy.)

The video demonstrates how ChatGPT can interact with students and help them with research.

Now more than ever, students need to understand the importance of using information that can be traced back to a reliable source.

Request a Librarian  speak with your class here!