The AI chat app being trialled in NSW schools which makes students work for the answers

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:40:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/12/the-ai-chat-app-being-trialled-in-nsw-schools-which-makes-students-work-for-the-answers>

"When year 8 student Mikaela Rumi Badger asks ChatGPT how to solve a question
for a fractions exam, it gives her the answer.

But when the Ponds high school student asks New South Wales’ purpose-built AI
app NSWEduChat for help, it asks her additional questions.

“To better assist you, can you let me know what you need help with?” it asks,
coaxing her with clues when she attempts calculations.

“Not quite,” it tells her. “To convert an improper fraction, you need to
multiply the whole number by the denominator and then add the numerator. Can
you do that?”

The app, which describes itself as a “virtual tutor”, is being hailed as the
possible future of artificial intelligence in NSW schools.

On Monday, 16 public schools across the state gained access to the app for the
next two terms in a trial that will determine its viability to go sector-wide.

NSWEduChat, designed by the state’s Department of Education, is modelled on
ChatGPT but built specifically for the state’s curriculum. Students have access
to one interface, while teachers have their own version of the tool which they
can use to direct classroom content.

Unlike ChatGPT, the app has been designed to only respond to questions that
relate to schooling and education, via content-filtering and topic restriction.

It does not reveal full answers or write essays, instead aiming to encourage
critical thinking via guided questions that prompt the student to respond –
much like a teacher."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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