ChatGPT’s Applications in Higher Education: Unmasking Opportunities and Challenges
Dhruba Sarker | A.F.M. Eiaz-Ur Rahman | Azizur Rahman Sakib | Harold Jan R. Terano | Md. Mizanur Rahman
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI), as demonstrated by models like ChatGPT,
has garnered significant attention in recent times owing to its capacity to transform multiple
domains of society, including higher education. Within academia, individuals such as students,
educators, and scholars have already employed Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT
for a diverse range of academic and non-academic endeavors. However, there is still debate
regarding the use of ChatGPT in higher education. The acceptability and validity of its impact
on higher education have been a recent burning issue. The primary aim of this review paper
is to elucidate the utilization of ChatGPT within the context of higher education, considering
its possible opportunities and challenges. The data utilized in this study has been generated by
examining published papers, websites, and blogs. Using an "introductory literature review," the
researchers have analyzed, synthesized, and explained the data that was generated. The findings
revealed inadequate technological access, overreliance on AI, the presence of inaccuracies within
subject-based knowledge, and the inability of educators to adapt teaching strategies are the core
challenges of ChatGPT in higher education. However, besides these challenges, ChatGPT also
brings opportunities like the advancement of learning efficiency, the concept of personalized
learning, support for educators, and opportunities for skill enhancement.
References:
- Ahsan, M. M. T., Rahaman, Md. S., & Anjum, N. (2023). From ChatGPT-3 to GPT-4: A Significant Leap in AI-Driven NLP Tools. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4404397
- Azaria, A. (2022). ChatGPT usage and limitations. https://hal.science/hal-03913837/
- Baidoo-Anu, D., & Owusu Ansah, L. (2023). Education in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): Understanding the Potential Benefits of ChatGPT in Promoting Teaching and Learning [SSRN Scholarly Paper]. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4337484
- Bašić, Ž., Banovac, A., Kružić, I., & Jerković, I. (2023). ChatGPT-3.5 as writing assistance in students’ essays. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 750. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02269-7
- Baskara, R., & Mukarto, M. (2023). Exploring the Implications of ChatGPT for Language Learning in Higher Education. IJELTAL (Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics), 7(2), 343–358. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v7i2.1387
- Bin-Nashwan, S. A., Sadallah, M., & Bouteraa, M. (2023). Use of ChatGPT in academia: Academic integrity hangs in the balance. Technology in Society, 75, 102370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102370
- Dai, Y., Liu, A., & Lim, C. P. (2023). Reconceptualizing ChatGPT and generative AI as a student-driven innovation in higher education. Procedia CIRP, 119, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2023.05.002
- Dawa, T., Dhendup, S., Tashi, S., & Rosso, M. A. (2023). Technology Literacies and Chat GPT: Perspectives on Emerging Technology Adoption in Academic Writing. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31177.83042
- Dempere, J., Modugu, K., Hesham, A., & Ramasamy, L. K. (2023). The impact of ChatGPT on higher education. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1206936. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1206936
- Dianati , S., & Laudari, S. (2023). ChatGPT and generative AI: 25 applications to support student engagement. In THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/chatgpt-and-generative-ai-25-applications-support-student-engagement
- Farhat, F., Chaudry, B. M., Nadeem, M., Sohail, S. S., & Madsen, D. Ø. (2023). Evaluating AI Models for the National Pre-Medical Exam in India: A Head-to-Head Analysis of ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Bard (Preprint) [Preprint]. JMIR Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.51523
- Freeman-Wong, J., Munguia, D., & Mohr, J. J. (2023). Building a Strategy to Harness ChatGPT in Education. California Management Review Insights. https://cmr.berkeley.edu/2023/08/building-a-strategy-to-harness-chatgpt-in-education/
- Fuchs, K. (2023). Exploring the opportunities and challenges of NLP models in higher education: is Chat GPT a blessing or a curse? Frontiers in Education, 8, 1166682.
- George, A. S., George, A. S. H., & A.S.Gabrio Martin. (2023). A Review of ChatGPT AI’s Impact on Several Business Sectors. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.7644359
- Gill, S. S., Xu, M., Patros, P., Wu, H., Kaur, R., Kaur, K., Fuller, S., Singh, M., Arora, P., Parlikad, A. K., Stankovski, V., Abraham, A., Ghosh, S. K., Lutfiyya, H., Kanhere, S. S., Bahsoon, R., Rana, O., Dustdar, S., Sakellariou, R., … Buyya, R. (2024). Transformative effects of ChatGPT on modern education: Emerging Era of AI Chatbots. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 4, 19–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iotcps.2023.06.002
- Haleem, A., Javaid, M., & Singh, R. P. (2022). An era of ChatGPT as a significant futuristic support tool: A study on features, abilities, and challenges. BenchCouncil Transactions on Benchmarks, Standards and Evaluations, 2(4), 100089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbench.2023.100089
- Hanna, E., & Levic, A. (2023). Comparative Analysis of Language Models: hallucinations in ChatGPT : Prompt Study. https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-121267
- Hsu, T., & Thompson, S. A. (2023). Disinformation Researchers Raise Alarms About A.I. Chatbots. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/technology/ai-chatbots-disinformation.html
- Javaid, M., Haleem, A., Singh, R. P., Khan, S., & Khan, I. H. (2023). Unlocking the opportunities through ChatGPT Tool towards ameliorating the education system. BenchCouncil Transactions on Benchmarks, Standards and Evaluations, 3(2), 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbench.2023.100115
- Kalla, D., Smith, N., Samaah, F., & Kuraku, S. (2023). Study and Analysis of Chat GPT and its Impact on Different Fields of Study [SSRN Scholarly Paper]. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=4402499
- Kasneci, E., Seßler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U., Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., Krusche, S., Kutyniok, G., Michaeli, T., Nerdel, C., Pfeffer, J., Poquet, O., Sailer, M., Schmidt, A., Seidel, T., … Kasneci, G. (2023). ChatGPT for Good? On Opportunities and Challenges of Large Language Models for Education [Preprint]. EdArXiv. https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/5er8f
- Koubaa, A. (2023). GPT-4 vs. GPT-3.5: A Concise Showdown [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.36227/techrxiv.22312330.v1
- Lim, W. M., Gunasekara, A., Pallant, J. L., Pallant, J. I., & Pechenkina, E. (2023). Generative AI and the future of education: Ragnarök or reformation? A paradoxical perspective from management educators. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(2), 100790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100790
- Lo, C. K. (2023). What Is the Impact of ChatGPT on Education? A Rapid Review of the Literature. Education Sciences, 13(4), 410. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13040410
- Memarian, B., & Doleck, T. (2023). ChatGPT in education: Methods, potentials, and limitations. Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 1(2), 100022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2023.100022
- Mhlanga, D. (2023a). ChatGPT in Education: Exploring Opportunities for Emerging Economies to Improve Education with ChatGPT. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4355758
- Mhlanga, D. (2023b). Digital Transformation Education, Opportunities, and Challenges of the Application of ChatGPT to Emerging Economies. Education Research International, 2023, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7605075
- Mohammed, A. A. Q., Al-ghazali, A., & Khalid A. S. Alqohfa. (2023). Exploring ChatGPT Uses in Higher Studies:: A Case Study of Arab Postgraduates in India. Journal of English Studies in Arabia Felix, 2(2), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.56540/jesaf.v2i2.55
- Naher, J., Maruf, M. H., Bakht, S. T., & Sadaf, S. S. (2023). A Survey to Understand the experience of ChatGPT Usage among Engineering University Students in Bangladesh. Technium: Romanian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology, 15, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v15i.9660
- Quyet, N. T., Thanh, N. V., & Phuong, N. T. (2023). Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts on the education of the young Vietnamese generation today. Perspectives of Science and Education, 62(2), 562–577. https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2023.2.33
- Rahaman, M. S., Ahsan, M. M. T., Anjum, N., Terano, H. J. R., & Rahman, M. M. (2023). From ChatGPT-3 to GPT-4: A Significant Advancement in AI-Driven NLP Tools. Journal of Engineering and Emerging Technologies, 2(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.52631/jeet.v2i1.188
- Rahman, M., Terano, H. J. R., Rahman, N., Salamzadeh, A., & Rahaman, S. (2023). ChatGPT and Academic Research: A Review and Recommendations Based on Practical Examples. Journal of Education, Management and Development Studies, 3(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.52631/jemds.v3i1.175
- Rasul, T., Nair, S., Kalendra, D., Robin, M., Santini, F. de O., Ladeira, W. J., Sun, M., Day, I., Rather, R. A., & Heathcote, L. (2023). The role of ChatGPT in higher education: Benefits, challenges, and future research directions. Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, 6(1), 41–56. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.29
- Ray, P. P. (2023). ChatGPT: A comprehensive review on background, applications, key challenges, bias, ethics, limitations and future scope. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 3, 121–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iotcps.2023.04.003
- Rudolph, J., Tan, S., & Tan, S. (2023). ChatGPT: Bullshit spewer or the end of traditional assessments in higher education? Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, 6(1), 342–363. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2023.6.1.9
- Sallam, M. (2023). ChatGPT Utility in Healthcare Education, Research, and Practice: Systematic Review on the Promising Perspectives and Valid Concerns. Healthcare, 11(6), 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060887
- Strzelecki, A. (2023). To use or not to use ChatGPT in higher education? A study of students’ acceptance and use of technology. Interactive Learning Environments, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2209881
- Ventresca, M. J., & Mohr, J. W. (2017). Archival Research Methods. In J. A. C. Baum (Ed.), The Blackwell Companion to Organizations (1st ed., pp. 805–828). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405164061.ch35
- Vogt, W. P., Gardner, D. C., & Haeffele, L. M. (2012). When to Use What Research Design. Guilford Press.
ISSN 2799-0583 (Online)
ISSN 2782-9413 (Print)