Dual Credit English teacher Heather Hale implements ChatGPT AI chat boxes in assignments to teach students how to use AI chat boxes efficiently.
“My goal is to show students how to use this technology ethically and appropriately,” Hale said. “Each writing assignment that I have works to incorporate AI to show how to cite it, when to use it and how to use it.”
ChatGPT is considered plagiarism when used the wrong way. Hale said learning how to use ChatGPT correctly can help you become a better writer, while keeping your own authenticity.
“By constantly talking with and looking at my students’ work and engaging with their thoughts, I am helping prevent them from using it unethically,” Hale said. “AI has been helpful in organizing the structure of an essay or speech. [However] students are starting to realize that they do a better job than AI does.”
Senior Brianna Ware said ChatGPT has become a crutch, but can be used as a good starting point.
“I think often time we don’t feel like we have to write to our full potential,” Ware said. “[ChatGPT] helped me come up with the idea but it definitely lacked some personal experiences. It generates very similar ideas that are very generic but we all have our own human brain that can generate very creative things.”
Senior Barrick Hughes said ChatGPT helps him clear his brain when he writes and he wants to use it as a guide.
“As we get into more complicated writings, it’ll help clear my mind and give me a straight outline that I can use instead of having my jumbled thoughts to write with,” Hughes said.

ChatGPT-4 was released last semester on March 14, 2023 when it gained 1 million users after only 5 days. ChatGPT had record breaking growth from April 2023 to June 2023.
“This summer I researched and talked to college level people and listened to other teacher’s thoughts about it,” Hale said. “I came to the conclusion that we can’t forbid it, it can’t be this secret in the classroom. We have to embrace it because at the upper levels in college they are sort of embracing it and I want to make sure that students don’t get into trouble for plagiarism or ethics.”