For this week, write a 350-500 word reflection on where you are at this stage in terms of your confidence in your topic, where you are at with the literature review related to your dissertation, and how happy you are with your proposed research methods. Explain the origin of your topic and why you are passionate enough about it to carry you through the difficulty of writing up your study.
My main dissertation proposal idea is roughly titled:
Exploring the Ethical Boundaries and Pedagogical Implications of Generative AI in Educational Settings
Dissertation idea:
This dissertation aims to investigate the ethical implications of utilizing generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, in educational environments. The mixed-methods research study will employ a survey to understand university students’ perspectives regarding the technology’s potential and ethical considerations, additionally, qualitative analysis will investigate the extent of generative AI’s adoption in academic contexts and its potential impact on academic integrity. By examining these findings, the research aims to provide insights that guide the ethical utilization and effective integration of ChatGPT in educational environments.
Literature Review Status:
I have been hesitant to start drafting an official literature review for this dissertation without first getting approval from my Chair. I have done literature research on this topic for other papers and presentations, so I feel like I have some idea of where to get started.
One challenge I have encountered is that the technology is so new that there have been a limited number of peer-reviewed published papers. In this case, I could use some guidance on the structure of the literature review and feedback as to whether or not we can use published papers that are still under review, or if we can use resources such as news articles or blog posts that were not peer-reviewed.
How did I get here:
The introduction of generative AI has me smitten, and this is where I would like to spend my time and focus on my doctoral expertise. I was introduced to open AI in September of 2022 when it was still considered GPT 3, and it was called Playground. My daughter shared that some individuals she knew from school were utilizing the software platform and then told me they found out about it on TikTok. I then went down a rabbit hole of amazement in discovering all of these “undercover tools” that were, at the time, positioned to be cheating tools. This was a few months before ChatGPT came out, but once it did, the cat was out of the bag, and the potential for the software was everywhere.
Yet for me being in the realm of teaching and learning, I still couldn’t move beyond the capabilities for cheating with this technology, which then led me to wonder what cheating is when using this technology, and if you partner with this technology as a Co-writer or Copilot is it cheating, and where’s the line, and then is it ethical, and at what point is it unethical, and I think this is the root of it: where is the line of ethics on utilizing ChatGPT for school work.
Over the last year, I have tried to use the technology where I can to discover more about it, and its potential applications. I have also led multiple faculty development sessions to introduce the technology in a positive light to our faculty and staff on my campus. I was asked to join the AI Expert Panel for EDUCAUSE; I was also invited to join an AI Community of Practice for EDUCAUSE and Hewlett-Packard; and I am in the process of co-writing the next EDUCAUSE article, 7 Things You Should Know About Generative AI; additionally, I have a few upcoming webinars focused on ChatGPT scheduled for the American Association of Collegiate Pharmacists and the Chief Academic Officers for Colleges of Optometry; plus I recently wrote my university’s AI Policy, which is currently going through the review process. So, I’m trying to do what I can to stay in the loop on this technology as it is rapidly progressing.
What will keep me going:
I have heard it said that the introduction of generative AI is the 5th Industrial Revolution, and there is no doubt that this technology will change many facets of our everyday lives. We are at the very beginning of something amazing, and my contributions to this new era will keep me inspired to continue to grow and learn and complete the dissertation.
