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GPT-4 for Teachers: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Read Time 10 mins | Written by: Marielyn K

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Are you tired of spending hours combing through research and writing reports? What if you had an AI assistant that could write 1000+ word blogs in one go or summarise websites and even Youtube videos for you? That's where GPT-4 comes in. It's the fourth iteration of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) series, and it's going to change the way we think about language processing. 

In this post, we're going to explore what GPT-4 is, how it differs from previous GPT models, its key features, how it is trained, its potential applications in education, its ethical implications, how teachers can try GPT-4, and how GPT-4 fits into AI and edtech. 

 

What is GPT-4? 

GPT-4 is a language model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning techniques to generate text that is similar to human writing. GPT-4 is designed to understand and generate natural language text, which makes it capable of performing tasks such as language translation and text completion. 

How is GPT-4 different from previous GPT models? 

GPT-4 is expected to be significantly more advanced than its predecessors. One of the major differences between GPT-4 and previous GPT models is the expected size. While the previous largest model, GPT-3, had 175 billion parameters, OpenAI has stated that GPT-4 could have as many as 10 trillion parameters. This makes the model capable of handling more complex tasks and generating more accurate responses. It will have improved capabilities in reasoning and understanding context, which will allow it to generate more nuanced and accurate responses. 

Related: GPT-3 and Me: The New Wave of AI-Assisted Teaching and Learning (Part I)

What are the key features of GPT-4? 

Some of the key features of GPT-4 include increased accuracy, improved ability to understand context, and potential for more nuanced language processing. These features make it well-suited for a wide range of natural language processing tasks, including language translation, text completion and personalised learning (more on the applications of GPT-4 later).  

PSA: While these features are revolutionary, it is important to note that even though GPT-4 may be able to product language that is difficult to distinguish from that of a human (at least for now), it will still be limited by its programming and lack of true understanding of what it is exactly generating. Remember that it has human-like language abilities but that doesn't mean it will have human-like intelligence or consciousness!

How is GPT-4 trained? 

GPT-4 is trained using a process called unsupervised learning, which involves feeding the model large amounts of text data and allowing it to learn patterns and relationships in the data on its own. The training process involves multiple stages, including pre-training and fine-tuning, which enable the model to learn and adapt to different tasks. It's like giving an AI assistant the training they need to excel at their job. 

What are the potential applications of GPT-4 in education? 

As we mentioned earlier, GPT-4 has the capabilities for language translation, text completion, and personalised learning. In an educational setting, GPT-4 can be used in these ways:  

  • Automated essay grading: GPT-4 can be used to mark and grade essays and other written assignments quickly and accurately. This can help teachers save time and provide students with faster feedback on their work. 
  • Personalised learning: GPT-4 can be used to generate personalised learning materials based on the needs and interests of individual students. For example, the model can generate custom quizzes or reading materials based on a student's learning preferences and abilities. 
  • Language learning: GPT-4's multilingual capabilities make it well-suited for language learning applications. The model can be used to generate language exercises, quizzes, and other materials that help students improve their language skills. 
  • Curriculum development: GPT-4 can be used to generate curriculum materials and lesson plans based on specific learning objectives. This can help teachers save time and ensure that their lessons are aligned with learning standards. 
  • Virtual teaching assistants: GPT-4 can be used to create virtual teaching assistants that can provide students with personalised support and feedback. For example, the model can be used to answer student questions or provide feedback on assignments. 
  • Textbook writing: GPT-4 can be used to generate textbooks and other educational materials. The model can be trained on specific topics and generate content that is tailored to the needs of students and teachers.
 

In essence, GPT-4 is like having a virtual tutor that can adapt to your students’ learning styles and help them achieve their academic goals while you (as a teacher) have an AI teaching assistant that can improve your productivity to get more things done!

However, it is essential to consider the ethical implications of relying too heavily on AI in education. 

What are the ethical implications of GPT-4? 

As with any advanced AI technology, GPT-4 raises ethical concerns regarding its potential impact on society. Some experts have raised concerns about the potential for GPT-4 to be used to generate highly convincing fake news, impersonate individuals, and even automate the creation of disinformation campaigns.

In education, we must ensure that AI is used to enhanced and not replace human teachers and that student privacy and data security comes as top priority when it used to enhance our teaching and learning processes. 

Related: GPT-3 and Me: Opportunities and Risks Associated with AI in Education (Part III)

How can teachers try GPT-4? 

While GPT-4 is not yet publicly available (though you can access it limitedly in ChatGPT Plus), teachers can try out similar natural language processing tools, such as GPT-3 (check it out in ChatGPT), to explore the potential of AI-powered language processing in education.  

How does GPT-4 fit into AI and edtech? 

GPT-4 is just one example of the many AI-powered technologies that are transforming the field of edtech. As AI technology continues to advance, it has the potential to revolutionise education by providing personalised learning experiences, automating administrative tasks, and even creating custom educational content based on student needs.

Related: GPT-3 and Me: The Implications for Teaching and Learning (Part VI)

Conclusion

Will AI reach a level where it achieves true human-level intelligence?

We're still far from it. However, GPT-4 is an exciting new development in the field of natural language processing, with the potential to transform education and many other fields. While we must continue to approach AI development with caution and prioritise ethical considerations, it also offers many exciting possibilities for personalised learning, language translation, and text completion.

Related: Generative AI in Education: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

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Get an in-depth look on how you can harness the power of conversational AI to transform teaching and learning processes! Join Co-Founder Jim Wagstaff for a fireside chat with InnovBite on Thursday, 30th March 2023 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM SGT. Click here to register today.

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Marielyn K

Meet Marielyn, Marketing Ninja at Noodle Factory. When she's not working, she loves to learn something new. If you're looking for her, you can find her watching #marketingtoks on TikTok or videos on YouTube. If you'd like to get in touch about a marketing opportunity at Noodle Factory, send her an email at marielyn@noodlefactory.ai.