Seoul National University, Korea University, Kyung Hee University, and Others Allow ChatGPT
Yang Yoonji (23), a university student living in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, received a high grade last semester on a liberal arts class assignment by using ChatGPT. The task was to read a given book and write a reflection paper. When she asked ChatGPT to "logically describe" the parts of the book she wanted to emphasize, a reflection paper matching the required length was quickly generated. Yang only slightly edited the reflection paper written by ChatGPT before submitting it, and she did not face any penalties in the evaluation. She said, "It was difficult to put my thoughts into writing, but ChatGPT smoothly wrote the text focusing on what I wanted, so it was convenient," adding, "Not only me, but my classmates also use ChatGPT a lot. In some classes, professors even allow the use of ChatGPT during exams."
Although the culture of using ChatGPT is spreading widely, especially around major university areas, guidelines for its use remain unclear. As ChatGPT use has become the norm from writing exam answers to assignments and research papers, there are calls for establishing clear related guidelines.
According to Asia Economy's report on the 7th, major universities in Seoul such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Kyung Hee University have confirmed that ChatGPT use is allowed during exam times. Some departments at Seoul National University and Korea University include in their classes the practice of asking ChatGPT for answers to given problems during class time and then conducting critical discussions based on those answers. Kyung Hee University is conducting an "Open ChatGPT Test," where students write exam answers using ChatGPT during the exam.
Professor Lee Kyungjeon of Kyung Hee University's Department of Big Data Applications explained, "We allow students to freely use ChatGPT not only during exams but also for assignments and thesis writing. Just as using search engines in real work is not a problem, using ChatGPT to find answers during exams itself is not an issue. However, since ChatGPT is not perfect, we evaluate how accurately students can write their answers without over-relying on it."
Opinions on ChatGPT use are divided. There are concerns about whether exam answers, assignments, and theses submitted using ChatGPT can serve as indicators of understanding and critical thinking in the major subjects. In fact, some universities prohibit ChatGPT use, explicitly stating that submitting assignments created with ChatGPT will result in point deductions. Han Mo (25), a university student living in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "Whether ChatGPT is allowed and to what extent varies by class and professor," adding, "Seeing some students get high grades with assignments simply written by ChatGPT makes me feel a sense of relative deprivation."
In response to this situation, major universities have distributed "ChatGPT Usage Guidelines" at the institutional level. Last year, Korea University and Kookmin University each released "Basic ChatGPT Usage Guidelines," emphasizing education on plagiarism and ethical use issues that may arise from using ChatGPT. Nevertheless, since the decision on whether and how to allow ChatGPT use largely depends on the discretion of the individual professor, the application varies by course.
Im Jeongmook, chairman of the Seoul National University Professors' Association, said, "It is difficult to grasp which professor allows ChatGPT use, in which course, and in what manner, as it is entirely at the professor's discretion. Using ChatGPT itself is not bad, but clear guidelines are necessary, such as requiring proper citation of sources when using ChatGPT," advising, "Since ChatGPT use is an unstoppable trend, it is important to cultivate students' ability to use ChatGPT critically without blindly trusting it."
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