“Allowing to learn and not only to make a duty”: this is the objective of the new mode “Study” (“Study Mode”, in English) deployed Tuesday, by Openai, in its famous generative Chatgpt tool. With this functionality, the American company intends to meet criticism from the educational world, and in particular the recent study of the MIT media Lab, which alerts the potentially harmful effects of the chatbot on the learning and the critical mind of the students.
Designed in collaboration with teachers, researchers and pedagogy experts, this mode is mainly aimed at university levels, specifies the Californian firm. He encourages the user to participate actively in problem solving. “Rather than doing the work in their place, studying mode encourages students to show critical thinking. Features like these constitute a positive advance towards effective use of AI for learning purposes, “explains Robbie Torney, director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, quoted by Openai. For example, faced with a mathematics problem, the chatbot breaks down the steps and interacts with the student, like a particular teacher, asking him questions, rather than delivering a ready -made solution.
OPENAI recognizes, however, that this mode is not free from defects and promises improvements. He can sometimes generate “certain incoherent behaviors and make mistakes in conversations”, admits the firm.
The “study” mode is both available in free (with limited use) and paid (plus, pro, team) versions of Chatgpt. To use it, simply select the study and learn ”in chatgpt tools, then ask a question. The functionality will also be integrated “in the coming weeks” in Chatgpt Edu, version of the conversational robot dedicated to universities and schools, specifies Openai.
