ChatGPT’s New Search
Enhancing Learning from Search to Source
Welcome to this week's edition of The AI School Librarians Newsletter! We’re excited to dive into new developments and tools that continue to shape the landscape of education and libraries. This week, we're exploring the recent ChatGPT search update, which has been making waves in the way we access information, alongside an ethics discussion on AI's parallels to past technological changes, and much more.
NotebookLM Podcast about this week’s newsletter:
AI Tool of the Week: ChatGPT's Enhanced Search with Source Citations
OpenAI has introduced an exciting update to ChatGPT, integrating real-time web search capabilities that now allow users to access current information, including news and events, with direct source citations. This feature can significantly benefit both students and educators in educational settings by providing reliable information that is easy to verify.
Here is a video tutorial about it and more information about it :
Access and Availability
Currently, this enhanced search feature is available to ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users, as well as those on the SearchGPT waitlist. OpenAI plans to extend this access to Education accounts soon, with a broader rollout to free-tier users expected in the coming months. This phased approach ensures that more students and educators will eventually be able to leverage this tool in their daily learning and teaching activities.
Benefits for Educators and Students
Up-to-Date Information with Cited Sources: By providing current information along with source citations, ChatGPT helps students and educators access reliable resources quickly.
Efficient Research Support: The citation feature streamlines research, allowing students to access summaries with links to sources for further exploration.
Enhanced Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy: Source citations offer a unique opportunity for students to assess source credibility and practice responsible information usage.
Practical Classroom Applications
Assignment and Research Aid: Students can confidently integrate recent, cited information into their work, ensuring accuracy and depth.
Improved Lesson Planning: Educators can access current events and real-world data relevant to their subjects, enriching lessons and keeping students engaged with timely topics.
This update makes ChatGPT a powerful tool for education, putting reliable, well-sourced information right at your fingertips and helping students and educators build key research skills.
For more details on these new features, you can read OpenAI's official announcement here.
Lesson Plan: Exploring ChatGPT’s New Search Features for Research and Information Literacy
Grade Level: 7-12
Time: 1 class period (45-60 minutes)
Subject: Research Skills, Information Literacy, Digital Citizenship
Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Use ChatGPT’s enhanced search feature to find reliable, up-to-date information.
Evaluate the credibility of AI-provided information, focusing on source citations.
Practice effective research and critical thinking skills by cross-referencing AI-sourced information with other resources.
Materials
Computers or devices with ChatGPT access (with the search feature enabled)
Projector or smartboard to demonstrate features (optional)
Printed handouts or digital worksheets with research prompts and evaluation criteria
Lesson Outline
1. Introduction to ChatGPT’s New Search Feature (10 minutes)
Briefly introduce the class to ChatGPT and explain how the new search feature allows it to provide real-time information.
Discuss the importance of source citations, emphasizing how they help validate and verify information.
Explain when and why it’s beneficial to use AI tools with search functions, particularly in research contexts.
2. Demonstration: How to Use ChatGPT’s Search Feature (10-15 minutes)
Project ChatGPT on a smartboard or display screen, and walk through a live example of asking it a research-based question (e.g., “What are the latest advancements in renewable energy?”).
Show students how to examine the results, paying particular attention to the source citations provided.
Model how to click on a citation link and evaluate its credibility and relevance to the research topic.
3. Guided Practice: Research and Citation Review (15 minutes)
Divide students into small groups, assigning each group a different topic (e.g., “climate change policies,” “effects of social media on mental health,” etc.).
Ask each group to use ChatGPT’s search feature to find recent information on their assigned topic and review the source citations ChatGPT provides.
Instruct students to select one citation to investigate further, encouraging them to evaluate the source’s credibility (Who is the author? Is it a reputable publication? Is the information current?).
4. Activity: Cross-Referencing Information (10 minutes)
Have each group use an additional online resource (such as Google Scholar, Newsela, or a reliable news outlet) to cross-reference the information from ChatGPT.
Ask them to discuss whether the information aligns, any discrepancies they notice, and why it’s important to check multiple sources.
5. Group Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)
Bring the class together and have each group share their topic, findings, and experience with using ChatGPT’s search feature.
Discuss questions like:
How did the citations help?
Did you find any information that seemed questionable or biased?
How can ChatGPT’s search feature support you in future research projects?
Assessment
Participation in group activity: Students actively use ChatGPT, identify a source, and evaluate it.
Worksheet completion: Groups fill out a worksheet or digital form on their chosen source, noting key details and findings from the cross-referencing activity.
Reflection: Each student writes a brief reflection on how they might use ChatGPT in future research, noting any challenges or insights gained.
Extensions (Optional)
Homework Assignment: Assign a short research project where students use ChatGPT’s search feature to find sources on a current events topic, cite at least two sources, and compare with one non-AI source.
Digital Literacy Workshop: Host a follow-up session focused on source evaluation skills and digital literacy, diving deeper into the ethics of AI in research.
This lesson provides students with hands-on experience in using AI responsibly, building information literacy skills crucial for navigating today’s digital world.
AI Ethics Corner: Understanding Generative AI Through Historical Technological Disruptions
This week, we’re diving into the ethics of generative AI by looking at it through a historical lens, thanks to David Newhoff’s article, “Generative AI’s Analogs to Technological Disruptions of the Past.” Newhoff connects the dots between major shifts caused by past technologies and the big changes AI is sparking in industries, creativity, and our everyday lives.
Key Ethical Points to Consider:
Creativity vs. Automation: Just like the printing press or digital media, generative AI is changing the way we think about creativity. It’s sparking questions about the role of human creativity and how it fits with AI-generated content.
Intellectual Property (IP) Rights: Technologies like the internet reshaped IP laws, and now AI is raising new issues. Who actually “owns” AI-generated work, and how do we protect creators in this evolving space?
Economic Shifts and Job Displacement: From factory lines to offices, technology has always impacted jobs, and AI is no different. As automation increases, it’s crucial to consider how creative jobs could be affected and what can be done to support workers in these fields.
Cultural Impact: Technology changes how we engage with art, info, and knowledge. AI might further shift our relationship with creative content, challenging what we see as “original” or “authentic.”
Newhoff’s article reminds us that looking at past tech disruptions can help us navigate the ethical questions AI brings up today. For educators, it’s a great way to guide students in understanding both the history and future of tech’s impact on society.
AI Reading List
"Proactive and Reactive Engagement of Artificial Intelligence Methods for Education: A Review"
A comprehensive review examining AI, machine learning, and deep learning support for students, educators, and administrators, analyzing major research directions and paradigm shifts over the past two decades.
Read the full article here"The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries: The Ethical and Equitable Methodologies, and Prospects for Empowering Library Users"
Explores the ethical and equitable use of AI in libraries, discussing how AI can automate processes, provide personalized services, and improve user experiences, while maintaining libraries' commitments to users.
Read the full article here"Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and Academic Libraries: A Literature Review"
A literature review delving into the benefits and challenges of using AI in academic libraries, offering insights on mitigating potential negative aspects.
Read the full article here"How Generative AI Can Support Professional Learning for Teachers"
Discusses the potential of generative AI to enhance professional development for educators, helping them adapt teaching methodologies and improve student outcomes.
Read the full article hereThank you for reading this week’s edition of The AI School Librarians Newsletter! As we continue to explore the evolving role of AI in education, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of digital literacy and ethical research. Looking forward to seeing how these tools and insights inspire your work in the classroom and library!
Before we wrap up, here’s a reminder for everyone reading in the U.S.: Tuesday is Election Day! Voting is one of the most powerful ways we have to make our voices heard and shape the future of our communities, schools, and country. As someone who won her election to the board of education a few years ago by only 250 votes, I know just how important every vote is! Whether it’s a local issue or a national race, every vote counts and every voice matters. Let’s set an example for our students and communities by showing up and exercising our right to vote. Make a plan, find your polling place, and let’s make a difference together!
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