Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
F A C T : Generative artificial intelligence — in the form of ChatGPT, Bard and others — is here to stay. While some educators lament its ability to encourage student "cheating," there is no denying its potential to help us. In our feature on "ChatGPT in the classroom" (page 15) teachers use chatbots for tasks such as writing lesson plans, creating assessment questions and generating presentations. Educator Bill Lemei uses ChatGPT as a research assistant, asking it to find information, clone problems and identify primary sources. Lemei says educators should be getting in front of the technology to be trusted guides for students in proper use instead of abuse. "We ought to be leading and not blocking. Education is getting the kids as ready as we can. We ought to be teaching it." Leading and not blocking is certainly true when it comes to educa- tors creating safe environments for LGBTQ+ students. In "Building Safe and Brave Spaces" (page 18), teacher Melanie Bean says these spaces and the caring adults who build them are literal lifesavers for students and often some of the only places where LGBTQ+ and especially trans- gender youth feel they can be their authentic selves. "It's small things that recognize people's existence that make the dif- ference," says Bean. She and other educators in the story are intentional in both their curriculum and how they present themselves, including classroom displays and being openly out and proud. Also key to build- ing safe spaces: knowing the rights guaranteed by the FAIR Education Act and state Education Code, and familiarity with laws that protect LGBTQ+ students (page 23). CTA helps protect educators under attack, too, whether it be for keeping LGBTQ+ students safe, ensuring students receive an education that accurately reflects our nation's complex history or myriad other hot-button issues. Our Legal Beat column (page 28) outlines how CTA counters these attacks while protecting members and students. Also in this issue: inspiring stories about your colleagues' work, accomplishments and insights. Among them, Amara Smallwood's students competing in the Forestry Challenge (page 46), the educators who made a big impact on a now best-selling author (pictured), Matty Leading, not Blocking Author Brent H. Robinson with his K-3 teachers, all members of Apple Valley United Teachers Assn. From left: Shaun Rickerl, Mary Swanson, Robinson, Martha Lopez and Marie Vastine. Story on page 45. Is That Me, or ChatGPT? The ChatGPT assignment: Write a 300-word editor 's note about students and educators enjoying a restorative, healthy summer while continuing to learn in different ways. What I got back: 450 words of florid, verbose prose that sounds very unlike me. Excerpt: As the summer season unfurls its warm embrace, students and teachers alike embark on a well-deserved break , bidding farewell to classrooms and textbooks. The joyful respite from structured academic routines, however, is far from being a period of stagnation; this time off holds immense potential for growth and rejuvenation. Did ChatGPT work for me here? No, though as generative AI continues to learn and improve, chatbots will only get better. Williams finding their true self (page 52), the profound life lessons Logan Silva imparts to students (page 49). Enjoy the summer. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E