On Embracing ChatGPT: Strategies for Fostering Critical Thinking and Writing

Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has taken society by storm. Everyone is talking about the application, with even social media influencers creating content centered around using it to write meal plans, journal, or craft personalized schedules. The phrase, “Did you ask ChatGPT?” has become a norm in conversations. 

Despite its growing popularity, the usage of ChatGPT—especially among students—has sparked hesitation and frustration among faculty, myself included. As a Writing Instructor, I found myself questioning the legitimacy of the application. Amongst colleagues on campus and at other institutions I constantly said, “ChatGPT is replacing critical thinking and writing!” For many educators, ChatGPT feels like a threat and undermines our right to teach students essential skills to thrive. But the reality is, there is no running from it. ChatGPT is here to stay and is only going to grow smarter and more intuitive as time goes on. Rather than resisting the usage of ChatGPT, we, as educators, need to embrace and try incorporating it into our instruction.  

After exploring the application more closely, I came to understand its potential as a tool to enhance student learning and writing. In many ways, the application can help strengthen students’ abilities to think critically, write strongly, and prepare them for a future where AI may play a major role in their career field. However, embracing the usage of the application within instruction does come with certain risks.  There is the risk of students relying too heavily on ChatGPT and using it as a replacement rather than as a guide.  Also, students risk being told false information and its misuse can compromise academic integrity. These challenges don’t mean we should abandon the tool entirely. Instead, they emphasize the importance of guiding students in using ChatGPT responsibly. 

There are four strategies that educators can incorporate into their instruction to promote critical thinking and writing while using ChatGPT effectively. 

 Strategy #1: Brainstorming and Idea Generation 

Writer’s block can be a significant challenge for students, and ChatGPT can help overcome this. In their courses, educators can encourage students to use the application to generate ideas and explore multiple perspectives on a topic. For example, students can ask ChatGPT to provide a list of potential topics or arguments on a subject. This process encourages them to expand their thinking, evaluate suggestions to their main claim, and refine their critical thinking by selecting the most relevant ideas and expanding on them with their original thoughts. 

 Strategy #2: Improving Grammar and Mechanics 

Beyond brainstorming, ChatGPT can also help students improve grammar and mechanics in their writing. In this sense, it works similarly to tools like Grammarly. For educators who have concerns about spelling, grammar, and sentence structure, they can assist students by having them upload their drafts and review ChatGPT’s suggestions. In class, educators can guide students in understanding their common mistakes and work toward enhancing their writing as they move forward and grow. However, it is essential to remind students that the application is not always accurate with its suggestions. Therefore, the usage should complement—not replace—their efforts to improve their writing. 

 Strategy #3: Analyzing and Revising Writing Structure 

The logical flow and structure of an essay are critical to effective writing. ChatGPT can assist students in guiding them to understand where their essays can be improved. Educators can have students upload their essays and ask ChatGPT to provide feedback on essay organization, paragraph transitions, and cohesion of ideas. With this activity, students gain insights into how their ideas are conveyed and learn strategies for organizing their ideas more fluidly. The key component of this strategy is to ensure students understand that ChatGPT is a collaborator in the revision process rather than a replacement for engagement with their work. 

Strategy #4: Fact-Checking and Source Evaluation 

One of the most lessons students must learn, especially in the digital age, is how to critically evaluate information. While ChatGPT can generate detailed responses, it may occasionally provide inaccurate information. In class, educators can incorporate an activity where students verify the accuracy of AI-generated content. For example, if ChatGPT generates a response on a specific event, students can fact-check its claims with reputable sources. This will, in turn, promote critical thinking about source credibility and reliability and the development of strong research and evaluation skills. 

 As educators, we must explore ChatGPT ourselves to better understand its possibilities and limitations. By doing so, we not only enhance our teaching methods but also foster growth, critical thinking, and writing skills in our students and ourselves. The world of AI is evolving rapidly, and ChatGPT is only the beginning.