Tag: education

An excerpt from the my work-in-progress on Teaching Writing with ChatGPT:

March 7th, 2023
The development of ChatGPT marks a significant milestone in the history of information and communication technologies. Much like the invention of the printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and information in the 15th century, ChatGPT represents a new frontier in the field of natural language processing. Just as the typewriter and word processor transformed the way in which written documents were produced and edited, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with computers and access information. ChatGPT, with its ability to generate human-like responses to text input, has the potential to transform the way we communicate and collaborate, much like these previous technological advancements.

ChatGPT can be useful for a variety of writing-based tasks, including:
1. Content Generation: it can generate coherent and coherently written articles, stories, summaries, and more on a wide range of topics.
2. Text Completion: it can complete partially written sentences, paragraphs, and even entire articles.
3. Summarization: it can generate concise summaries of long documents or articles, helping to condense information into more manageable chunks.
4. Question Answering: it can respond to questions by generating relevant and informative answers.
5. Translation: it can translate text from one language to another, making it a useful tool for multilingual writing tasks.
6. Proofreading and Editing: it can identify and suggest corrections for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in written text.
In general, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for automating and improving various aspects of writing, making it a valuable asset for individuals and organizations that rely on written communication.

Challenges in the English Classroom

AI tools, like the impressive ChatGPT, have the potential to significantly impact the field of education, including the teaching of English. However, they also present new challenges that English teachers must address. One of these challenges is academic dishonesty, including plagiarism.

Using these tools, students now have access to an unlimited source of information and can generate high-quality written content with ease. This has the potential to make academic dishonesty even more prevalent than tools like Google already made it—and also much more challenging to catch (and prove).

Another challenge posed by AI tools like ChatGPT is the potential for students to rely too heavily on these tools for their writing assignments. While AI tools can be useful for generating ideas and providing support, students must still develop their own writing skills and critical thinking abilities. Teachers must educate students on responsible use of AI tools and emphasize the importance of developing their own writing skills.

AI tools also raise questions about the role of the teacher in the classroom. While these tools have the potential to make the teaching process more efficient, they also raise concerns about job loss and the future of teaching. Teachers must continue to demonstrate their value and importance in the classroom, by providing personalized attention, guidance, and support to their students.
Moral Posturing & Meaningful Action

February 27th, 2023

As a society, we often find ourselves caught up in the trap of moral posturing, feeling a sense of righteousness in condemning the evil and atrocities committed in the world. However, simply hating evil is not enough, and to truly be a moral actor, we must take action to do good. It is easy to assign blame and point fingers at the problems we see, but does this really make the world better or does it create more anger and division? While it may not be feasible for every person to take meaningful action on every issue, it is still important for individuals to be informed and engaged on the issues that matter to them. This involves educating themselves on the issue and sharing that education with others. However, there is a good and bad way to do it, with moral posturing being the latter.

While we should hate evil, true morality is not about feeling good about ourselves for hating it. Just like love is an action rather than a feeling, so too is hate. Hating evil is about taking action against it, and in so doing making the world a better place. Moral posturing can be a problem when it comes to the issue of something like climate change, racism, or mass shootings because it can give people the impression that they are doing something to address the problem when in fact, they are not taking meaningful action. In other words, it can lead to a false sense of accomplishment and complacency, which can be harmful in the face of an urgent and complex problem.

But what does meaningful action look like? That depends on your individual circumstance.

It is not necessarily feasible or practical for every single person to take meaningful action on every issue they hold a strong opinion about. There are many issues in the world that require attention, resources, and action, and it is not possible for any one person to address all of them. It is also important to acknowledge that individuals have different capacities, interests, and priorities, and what is meaningful action for one person may not be the same for another. I’m reminded of the poor widow’s offering in the Bible. The parable of the woman who gave a coin to the offering teaches the lesson that the value of an offering is not determined by its size, but by the sacrifice involved in giving it. In the story, a poor widow gives two small coins as an offering, while a rich man gives a large amount of money. Despite the difference in the amount given, Jesus points out that the widow’s offering is more significant because it represents a greater sacrifice. The widow gave out of her poverty, while the rich man gave out of his abundance. Thus, the parable teaches that true generosity is not about the amount of money or material possessions given, but about the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness behind the gift.

Taking meaningful action requires time, resources, and energy, which may be limited for some individuals. People may have other responsibilities and commitments, such as work, family, or personal health, that make it difficult to devote significant time and energy to every issue they care about. The widow gave out of her poverty, and so each person needs to give of themselves to that which they care about. A single mother working two jobs may feel strongly about an issue like climate change, but her resources are limited to contribute to making change. Her priority is seeing to it that she and her children are properly nurtured and cared for. A college student may have energy and time but limited financial resources and so may be able to give more than the single mom. A well-off retiree has finances and time, but may have limited energy. Every person should ask themselves where they are and what they’re wasting: time, energy, money, talent, connections? It’s important to recognize that meaningful action can take many forms, and that small actions can add up to make a difference. But everyone should remember that they’re not going to change the world themselves. Nor is their voice so powerful that it alone will lead to some tangible change.

Even those who take meaningful action must avoid the trap of moral posturing. They must recognize that their efforts, while valuable, are only one part of a larger solution, and that there is always more work to be done. They should also avoid judging or condemning others who are not able to take the same level of action or who have different opinions or approaches to the issue. Instead, they should seek to build bridges, educate others, and work collaboratively towards a common goal.
A Litany of Concerns with AI

February 24th, 2023
Anybody who’s paying attention to the world has seen something or other about Artificial Intelligence or AI, and the more people see it, the more they are sharing their opinions on it. While I see great potential with AI and its future, I’m also interested in its abuses. Just like any powerful tool, AI has the ability to be dangerous. There are several fears and potential problems that have been pointed out about advanced AIs, both where AI technology stands now and where it’s predicted to go in the future. Some of these include:
1. Job displacement: One of the most significant fears around advanced AI is that it will lead to widespread job displacement. As machines become increasingly capable of performing complex tasks, many people worry that they will replace human workers in a variety of industries.
2. Bias and discrimination: There is concern that advanced AIs may reflect and perpetuate human biases and discrimination, particularly if they are trained on biased data sets. This could result in unfair treatment of certain individuals or groups, and could exacerbate existing social inequalities.
3. Lack of transparency and accountability: As AI systems become more complex and autonomous, it can be difficult to understand how they are making decisions and why. This lack of transparency can make it challenging to hold AI systems accountable when they make mistakes or cause harm.
4. Safety risks: Advanced AI systems could pose significant safety risks, particularly if they are designed to control physical systems or make decisions with potentially catastrophic consequences.
5. Ethical concerns: There are many ethical concerns related to advanced AI, including questions around how to ensure that these systems are used in ways that align with human values and moral principles.
6. Security risks: Advanced AI systems could also pose significant security risks if they are hacked or otherwise compromised. This could result in the theft or manipulation of sensitive data, or the use of AI systems for malicious purposes.
7. Existential risk: Some experts have raised concerns that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity if it becomes too powerful or goes out of control. This is sometimes referred to as the “AI alignment problem.”
8. Lack of human interaction: As AI systems become more advanced and ubiquitous, there is a risk that they will lead to a decline in human-to-human interaction, which could have negative consequences for social and emotional well-being.
9. Ownership and control: There are questions around who will own and control advanced AI systems, and whether these systems will be used for the benefit of all or only for the benefit of a few.
10. Privacy concerns: As AI systems become more sophisticated, they may be able to collect and analyze vast amounts of data about individuals without their knowledge or consent, raising significant privacy concerns.
But those are just the most prominent fears and concerns; there are additional concerns related to advanced AI beyond these listed. Here are a few more:
1. Unintended consequences: Advanced AI systems may have unintended consequences that are difficult to predict or control. For example, an AI system designed to optimize energy efficiency in buildings could end up inadvertently causing harm to the environment or to human health.
2. Dependence: As society becomes increasingly dependent on advanced AI systems, there is a risk that we will lose our ability to function without them. This could lead to a range of problems if the systems fail or are unavailable for any reason.
3. Social and economic disruption: The widespread adoption of advanced AI systems could lead to significant social and economic disruption, particularly if they result in widespread job displacement or other major changes to the way society functions.
4. Misuse: There is a risk that advanced AI systems could be misused for nefarious and criminal purposes, such as cyber attacks (already addressed), surveillance, or propaganda. But there are countless other ways AIs could be used to enable criminal activity and cover the criminals’ tracks.
5. Lack of understanding: As AI systems become more complex and sophisticated, it may be difficult for people to understand how they work to make informed decisions about their use. This could lead to distrust or fear of the technology and could make it harder to develop effective policies and regulations.
6. Environmental impact: The development and deployment of advanced AI systems could have significant environmental impacts, particularly if they require large amounts of energy or natural resources.
7. Global competition and geopolitical risks: Advanced AI systems could become a source of global competition and geopolitical risk, particularly if they are used for military or strategic purposes. This could lead to a range of conflicts and tensions between nations.
So take your pick of concerns… BUT, remember that it’s all going forward whether you’re scared of it or not.
Quinta Columna Calvinista #1

February 20th, 2023

I make no secret about my Calvinist beliefs and worldview. I began to agree with the concepts late in my high school years, converting from more of a “free will credo-baptist” background. My family history on both sides have long been involved in various Christian denominations–never fully committed to any one tradition. One of my great great grandmothers (on my maternal side), who was born in Puerto Rico to Spanish parents grew up (unsurprisingly) Roman Catholic. When she was 12 years old, a Protestant missionary gave her a Bible-tract (those little papers and booklets Christians sometimes pass out on the street corner). She read it, and it convinced her to some degree, and though I don’t know the full story, she converted to Protestantism. I am titling this series in Spanish to honor her. I intend for it to be an occasional column to discuss theology and culture from a Calvinist perspective–specifically mine. I hope to contribute something both thoughtful and engaging–beneficial no matter what your background might be–religious or irreligious. One of my goals in education has always been about achieving civil discourse–and while I don’t always succeed, I certainly will persevere in trying to get it right.

For the first Quinta Columna, I think it’s beneficial to address the historical significance and place of Calvinistic thought and worldview in America. Why? Well… many believe Calvinism is not very influential, that its theological ideas are not just backwards, but also culturally regressive. However, Calvinism has played an important role in American politics and culture since the earliest days of European settlement in North America. Calvinist beliefs influenced the founding of many of the original colonies and helped shape the American identity in numerous ways.

One of the most significant ways that Calvinism influenced American politics was through its emphasis on individual responsibility, hard work, and self-governance. These values are deeply rooted in the Calvinist doctrine of predestination, which holds that God has chosen some individuals for salvation and has given them the responsibility to live according to His will. This idea of individual responsibility and self-governance helped shape the political culture of early America, as colonists developed their own systems of self-government and sought to establish a society based on these values. We still see these virtues echoed by many non-Calvinists in the political and cultural sphere—typically among conservatives.

Calvinism also played a key role in the development of American religious identity. Many of the early settlers in North America were Calvinists who brought their religious beliefs with them. These beliefs emphasized the importance of education, literacy, and biblical knowledge (for both male and female), which helped establish the early American system of public education and fostered a culture of intellectual curiosity and exploration. The ideas of educating both males and females in these aspects was relatively new and begins with Calvinist influences in The West. This idea is classically liberal, and for its time, progressive. Though now, it is an idea both American liberals and conservatives can agree with.

In addition, Calvinist beliefs in the sovereignty of God and the idea of a “calling” or vocation helped shape the American work ethic and contributed to the growth of capitalism in the United States. The idea that individuals were called to a particular profession or trade, and that success in that trade was a sign of God’s favor, helped motivate Americans to work hard and strive for success. This is of course becoming more and more of a question in today’s society, where people are consistently trying to find a profession or career that’s truly meaningful and suited to them. Though the political sphere is becoming increasingly fraught with discussions about “universal incomes” and other job-related discussions, this philosophy can be instructive for many sides in understanding how others are approaching those discussions.

Finally, Calvinism has played a significant role in American politics through its influence on various social and political movements. For example, many abolitionists in the 19th century were motivated by their Calvinist beliefs and the idea that slavery was a sin against God. Similarly, the civil rights movement of the 20th century was deeply influenced by Calvinist beliefs in the importance of justice, equality, and human dignity.

Today, Calvinist ideas have gained popularity in recent years, particularly in evangelical circles—sometimes referred to as “Neo-Calvinism”. Neo-Calvinism is a movement that seeks to update and reapply Calvinist principles to modern society, emphasizing the role of Christians in shaping culture and society. Neo-Calvinists generally believe in a holistic approach to Christianity that emphasizes the integration of faith and daily life, and the importance of living out one’s faith in all areas of life, including politics, economics, and social issues. To them, there is no real motivation of keeping one’s religion private or delusion that they can arbitrarily and honestly separate their worldview from actions they take in public life.

The influence of neo-Calvinism can be seen in various aspects of American society, including the rise of Christian colleges and universities that emphasize the integration of faith and learning, the growth of Christian publishing and media that promote a Christian worldview, and the involvement of Christians in various social and political movements.

Unsurprisingly, while Calvinist and neo-Calvinist ideas continue to be present in American society, they are not without controversy or opposition. In religious spheres—particularly within Christianity itself, some criticize the emphasis on predestination and the limited role of human free will in traditional Calvinist theology, while others (usually outside of Christian faith circles) question the approach of neo-Calvinism to social and political issues.

Overall, while Calvinist ideas and neo-Calvinist ideas remain prevalent in America today, their influence is varied and contested, reflecting the diverse and complex nature of American society and culture. Hopefully, Quinta Columna Calvinista will be a useful place to expound some of these issues (on occasion).