ERIC Number: EJ1452923
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-May
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Can ChatGPT Enhance Chemistry Laboratory Teaching? Using Prompt Engineering to Enable AI in Generating Laboratory Activities
José Luís Araújo; Isabel Saúde
Journal of Chemical Education, v101 n5 p1858-1864 2024
The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly shaping our society. Among various AI tools, ChatGPT stands out for its user-friendly nature and wide accessibility to the public. However, despite their countless potential benefits, these tools also face significant challenges, especially in sensitive areas like Education. In this publication, we conduct a prompt engineering essay with ChatGPT to understand the potential and challenges of this tool in designing new, high-quality chemistry laboratory activities. We aimed to assess its performance in proposing scientifically and pedagogically suitable protocols for chemistry laboratory activities based on the 11th-grade Portuguese curriculum. The initial exploratory essay was conducted to fine-tune the prompt, followed by the analysis of proposals for the five mandatory laboratory activities in this subject. ChatGPT demonstrates the ability to interpret and reproduce the specialized symbolic language of chemistry, effectively conceptualizing problems and laboratory activities in a clear and understandable manner for a broader audience (i.e., chemistry students). However, it is crucial to highlight the scientific-pedagogical limitations concerning the accuracy and appropriateness of the proposed laboratory activities, particularly in terms of safety and sustainability. Therefore, the use of AI in education should be approached critically and reflectively. While AI holds immense potential to transform the dynamics of teaching and learning, the role and expertise of the Chemistry teacher remain of the utmost importance to ensure the scientific and pedagogical quality of Chemistry classes.
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Natural Language Processing, Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Science Instruction, Science Activities, Opportunities, Barriers, Computer Assisted Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Grade 11, Essays
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Grade 11; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A