Some may say that the animation style used in “The Polar Express” is unsettling. The way the characters move and appear on screen makes them seem like real humans, but upon closer look, the eerie, alien-like reality of their features sets in. At first, we are tricked into believing what we see is real, but our brains know otherwise. This is why some people, while watching “The Polar Express,” will feel inclined to turn away. They are unsettled by the thin façade of reality that we are being told is truth.
In an analogous way, AI (artificial intelligence) is like this. It seems almost real, but at a closer glance, we can feel it is not.
Recently, I used ChatGPT, an AI tool, for the first time, and I was blown away by its quick but natural responses. The concept is simple. In a message box like a text message box, you write a question or command, and ChatGPT generates an answer formulated from data collected from the internet. In my case, I wanted to know how to reflect on the fall semester.
Command: help me reflect on the fall school semester, please
In response, I received a personable answer with a list of reflection questions and pieces of advice that I only ever expected to hear from a professor or my mom.
Here is the list of questions generated by ChatGPT (I have italicized the ones I believe are most crucial to consider):
- What were your academic goals at the beginning of the semester, and did you achieve them?
- What courses or subjects did you enjoy the most, and why?
- Which courses were the most challenging, and what made them difficult?
- Did you consistently attend classes and take part actively?
- How did your study habits and time management skills affect your performance?
- Were there any notable achievements or accomplishments during the semester?
- Did you experience any setbacks or obstacles that affected your academic performance?
- How well did you balance your academic commitments with other aspects of your life, such as extracurricular activities, work, or personal relationships?
- What did you learn about yourself and your learning style during the semester?
- Were there any major changes in your life or circumstances that influenced your academic performance?
- How do you feel about your overall academic performance during the semester?
In addition to these questions, ChatGPT advised me on setting goals and breaking them down into manageable chunks. It recommended that I take my reflections and use them to create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART goals). I suggest you find a quiet place to sit, open Canvas, gather any necessary documents, and take a few minutes to reflect and answer the questions ChatGPT offered.
While “The Polar Express” may not be your go-to movie this holiday season, ChatGPT’s advice may be what saves your spring semester. In addition, Texas State offers many digital tools to aid you in your personal and academic goals. The Microsoft To-Do list app and Microsoft Excel are two of the most powerful resources I use to track my progress. There is no better time than now to learn about the ever-evolving world of AI and technology here at Texas State.
REFERENCES
OpenAI. (2023, November 17). ChatGPT. OpenAI
Sophie Reel is a student content creator for IT Communications and Outreach.
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