Jun 9, 20235 min read

Human Touch: ChatGPT as a Tool, Not a Replacement

Updated: Jun 11, 2023

An article extracted from The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education (2023) by Le Dinh Bao Quoc.

Technology has transformed education by offering new tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning. Among these tools is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a powerful language model recommended for teachers and students in almost all learning environments. However, it is crucial to remember that technology should never replace the importance of human interaction and connection in education. As teachers integrate ChatGPT into their teaching practices, they must find ways to balance the benefits of technology with the essential human touch that is essential for student engagement, motivation, and success. Remember that ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacement, for human touch.

Why human touch matters

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, it can be easy to overlook the significance of human touch in education. However, human touch remains a critical component of effective teaching and learning, and is essential for building strong relationships between teachers and students.

Human touch can take many forms, including physical touch, verbal communication, and emotional support. Research has shown that human touch can have a profound impact on student learning and development. Positive teacher-student relationships can lead to improved academic performance, increased motivation, and higher levels of engagement in the classroom (Hamre & Pianta, 2005; McCormick et al., 2013; Pekrun, R. et al., 2017). Additionally, strong teacher-student relationships have been linked to improved student behavior and reduced rates of discipline problems (O’Connor & McCartney, 2007).

Human touch is particularly important for vulnerable or marginalized students, such as those from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, or students who have experienced trauma. These students may face additional barriers to academic success, and may benefit from the emotional support and encouragement that human touch can provide.

Therefore, it is clear that human touch matters in education because it is essential for building strong teacher-student relationships, promoting positive classroom culture, and supporting student learning and development. In today’s era of technology, although edtech tools like ChatGPT can be a valuable addition for education, they should not be relied on as a replacement for human touch.

Strategies for infusing a human touch into ChatGPT

ChatGPT can be utilized as a teaching tool for educators looking to improve their teaching and create a more personalized, engaging, and inclusive learning experience for their students, while still maintaining a human touch. The power of AI will help teachers enhance their ability to create meaningful interactions and build strong teacher-student relationships.

Below are some strategies for teachers to effectively infuse a human touch into utilizing ChatGPT in their lessons.

Provide personalized feedback: Teachers can use ChatGPT to provide personalized feedback to students on their assignments or projects. With ChatGPT, feedback is tailored for each student and focuses on areas where they may be struggling or where they have shown improvement. This helps students feel seen and heard, and cared for on a personal level.
Provide real-time feedback: ChatGPT can also provide real-time feedback to students during classes. Teachers can use ChatGPT to respond to student questions or comments, and to provide additional information or clarification. This is specifically helpful to create a sense of immediacy and engagement in the online classroom, where teacher-student interactions and relationships may be limited.
Encourage collaboration: Teachers can utilize ChatGPT for facilitating collaboration and group work among students. Teachers can encourage students to work together on ChatGPT-based assignments and activities. Students can even use and treat ChatGPT as one of their group members and collaborate with it to complete the assignment.
Offer emotional support: ChatGPT can be used as a tool for teachers to offer emotional support to students who may be struggling with personal or academic issues. Teachers can use ChatGPT to check in on students and offer words of encouragement or support. This is particularly beneficial for students who may be experiencing feelings of isolation or disconnection from their peers.
Recommend additional and personalized resources: Teachers can make use of ChatGPT to provide additional resources to students on specific topics or assignments or based on student learning needs and styles. This helps students to feel supported in their learning, which can lead to increased student learning engagement and motivation.
Foster communication: Communication is key to building strong relationships with students and maintaining a human touch in the classroom. Teachers can use ChatGPT to promote communication with their students and between students, fostering a sense of community and connection in the classroom.
Provide opportunities for reflection and self-assessment: Teachers can ask students to use ChatGPT to reflect on their learning, identify areas where they need support or improvement, and set goals for themselves. By doing this, students take an active role in their own learning, which can strengthen a sense of ownership and engagement that goes beyond traditional classroom settings.
Integrate social and emotional learning: Teachers can integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) into their curriculum by using ChatGPT to facilitate SEL activities and discussions. This creates chances for students to develop important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving, which can improve their overall well-being and academic success.

Balancing ChatGPT use with other learning strategies

It is clear that ChatGPT can effectively support learning and teaching, but it is also important to use it in balance with other learning strategies to ensure a well-rounded education for students.

Here are some reasons why incorporating multiple learning approaches is crucial.

ChatGPT is a machine, and does not provide the same level of human interaction and emotion as a teacher or peer. Balancing ChatGPT use with other learning strategies makes teachers promote a human touch in students' learning, help students build relationships with teachers and peers, and foster a sense of community and belonging in the classroom.
Students have different learning styles, and relying solely on ChatGPT can limit their opportunities to engage with other learning strategies that cater to different learning styles. Teachers need to incorporate different learning approaches and activities, such as visual aids, group activities, and hands-on learning to guarantee that students have access to a variety of learning styles and strategies that support their individual needs.
While ChatGPT can provide students with precious support in academic areas, it may not necessarily teach them the real-world skills they need to succeed in their future careers. Other learning strategies, such as project-based learning or gamification, will help students develop real-world skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom.
Utilizing a variety of teaching strategies will help teachers address equity and inclusivity in their teaching. In reality, ChatGPT may not be available to all students due to technological or financial barriers. Teachers incorporating other learning strategies gives all students access to learning opportunities and promotes a sense of belonging for students regardless of their background or access to technology.

Despite the fact that ChatGPT can be beneficial to teaching and learning, it is not a magic wand to solve all educational challenges. It is important for teachers to use ChatGPT in conjunction with other teaching strategies and approaches to provide a well-rounded education for their students, including ensuring the human factors of education. Infusing a human touch into their teaching practices assists teachers to build strong relationships with their students, promote a positive classroom culture, and support student learning and development. Just remember, ChatGPT is a machine, not a replacement for humans.