Why Do Fishes Die? Lab Assignment Created Using ChatGPT

• Published in: Journal of chemical education 2024-08, Vol.101 (8), p.3171-3178
• Main Authors: Trčková, Kateřina, Maršálek, Roman, Žáček, Martin, Teplá, Milada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquariums; Chatbots; Chemical activity; Chemistry; College students; Colleges & universities; Educational materials; Higher education; Human-computer interaction; Instructional Materials; Organic Chemistry; Science activities; Science education; Students; Verification; Water analysis; Water pollution; Water sampling; Worksheets; Writing instruction
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00130

The article describes in detail the procedure for preparing and verifying an activity generated by ChatGPT-3.5. Based on experience gained, “Five Steps” were compiled to outline the best approach for generating a worksheet and methodological sheet with laboratory activities. The strengths and weaknesses of using a chatbot were assessed and discussed. The educational material, which focused on the pollution of aquarium water, was implemented in the teaching at the university, and was verified by four groups, each consisting of two chemistry students of a teaching degree program. Activity verification was performed using an analytical Visocolor kit, and commercially available colorimetric aquarium kits. Students of the teaching degree program recorded the verification results on the check sheets. It was found that the procedure, tools, and chemicals are clearly described in the worksheet. However, there were inaccuracies in the procedure for calculating the composition of the solution and the time required for the task. Based on these findings, the methodological material was modified to include an accurate procedure for preparing an aquarium water sample, and additional tips were incorporated to expand the assignment of tasks.