(Press-News.org) Researchers exploring ways to utilise ChatGPT for work, say it could save organisations and individuals a lot of time and money when it comes to planning trips.
A new study, published in Innovations in Education and Teaching International (IETI), has tested whether ChatGPT can be used to design University field studies. It found that the free-to-use AI model is an effective tool for not only planning educational trips around the world, but also could be used by other industries.
The research, led by scientists from the University of Portsmouth and University of Plymouth, specifically focused on marine biology courses. It involved the creation of a brand new field course using ChatGPT, and the integration of the AI-planned activities into an existing university module.
The team developed a comprehensive guide for using the chatbot, and successfully organised a single-day trip in the UK using the AI’s suggestion of a beach clean-up activity to raise awareness about marine pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems.
They say the established workflow could also be easily adapted to support other projects and professions outside of education, including environmental impact studies, travel itineraries, and business trips.
Dr Mark Tupper, from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “It’s well known that universities and schools across the UK are stretched thin when it comes to resources. We set out to find a way to utilise ChatGPT for planning field work, because of the considerable amount of effort that goes into organising these trips. There’s a lot to consider, including safety procedures, risks, and design logistics. This process can take several days, but we found ChatGPT effectively does most of the leg work in just a few hours. The simple framework we’ve created can be used across the whole education sector, not just by universities. With many facing budget constraints and staffing limitations, this could save a lot of time and money.”
Chatbots like ChatGPT are powered by large amounts of data and computing techniques to make predictions to string words together in a meaningful way. They not only tap into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in context.
Since OpenAI launched the 3.0 model in November 2022, millions of users have used the technology to improve their personal lives and boost productivity. Some workers have used it to write papers, make music, develop code, and create lesson plans.
“If you’re a school teacher and want to plan a class with 40 kids, our ChatGPT roadmap will be a game changer,” said Dr Reuben Shipway, Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth. “All a person needs to do is input some basic data, and the AI model will be able to design a course or trip based on their needs and requirements. It can competently handle various tasks, from setting learning objectives to outlining assessment criteria. For businesses, ChatGPT is like having a personal planning assistant at your fingertips. Imagine trips with itineraries that unfold effortlessly, or fieldwork logistics handled with the ease of conversation."
The paper says while the AI model is adaptable and user-friendly, there are limitations when it comes to field course planning, including risk assessments.
Dr Ian Hendy, from the University of Portsmouth, explained: “We asked ChatGPT to identify the potential hazards of this course and assess the overall risk of this activity from low to high, and the results were mixed. In some instances, ChatGPT was able to identify hazards specific to the activity - like the increased risk of slipping on seaweed-covered rocks exposed at low tide - but in other instances, ChatGPT exaggerated threats. For example, we find the risk of students suffering from physical strain and fatigue from carrying bags of collected litter to be low. That’s why there still needs to be a human element in the planning stages, to iron out any issues. It’s also important that the individual sifting through the results understands the nuances of successful field courses so they can recognise these discrepancies.”
The paper concludes with a series of recommendations for best practices in using ChatGPT for field course design, underscoring the need for thoughtful human input, logical prompt sequencing, critical evaluation, and adaptive management to refine course designs.
Top tips to help potential users get the most out of ChatGPT:
Get the ball rolling with ChatGPT: Ask what details it thrives on for crafting the perfect assignment plan. By understanding the key information it needs, you'll be well-equipped to structure your prompts effectively and ensure ChatGPT provides tailored and insightful assistance;
Time Management Made Easy: Share your preferred schedule, and let ChatGPT handle the logistics. Whether you're a back-to-back meetings person or prefer a more relaxed pace, ChatGPT creates an itinerary that suits your working style;
Flexible Contingency Plans: Anticipate the unexpected. ChatGPT can help you create contingency plans in case of unforeseen events, ensuring that the trip remains adaptable to changing circumstances without compromising the educational goals;
Cultural Etiquette Guidance: Familiarise yourself with local cultural norms and business etiquette. ChatGPT can provide tips on appropriate greetings, gift-giving customs, and other cultural considerations, ensuring smooth interactions with local business partners;
Become a proficient Prompt Engineer: There are many quality, low-cost courses in the field of ChatGPT prompt engineering. These are available from online learning platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. Poor input leads to poor ChatGPT output, so improving your prompt engineering will always lead to better results;
Use your unique experiences to improve ChatGPT output: Remember that AI knowledge cannot replace personal experience, but AI can learn from your experiences and use them to improve its recommendations;
Remember, planning is a two-way street! Engage in feedback with ChatGPT. Don't hesitate to tweak and refine the itinerary until it feels just right. It's your trip, after all. END
ChatGPT is an effective tool for planning field work, school trips and even holidays
2024-03-20
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Metamaterials and AI converge, igniting innovative breakthroughs
2024-03-20
A research team, comprising Professor Junsuk Rho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Department of Electrical Engineering, and PhD candidates Seokho Lee and Cherry Park from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), has recently published a paper that highlights the next generation of research trends that combine metaphotonics research with artificial intelligence. The paper has been published in the international journal, Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science.
Metalenses have sparked a revolution in optics, drastically ...
This could be forever: New design prolongs the lifespan of plasma torches
2024-03-20
Thanks for a new design contributed by a research team led by Prof. ZHAO Peng from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the operation time for plasma torch was extended from several days to several years.
"We made the world's longest-lasting plasma torch," said Prof. ZHAO.
Plasma torches, devices that generate thermal plasma, are pivotal in various industries due to their ability to efficiently produce high-temperature plasma. It can be applied in many fields including low-carbon metallurgy, powder spheroidization, carbon material preparation, and advanced ...
People who are ‘double jointed’ may be at heightened risk of long COVID
2024-03-20
People who are ‘double jointed,’ a condition formally known as generalised joint hypermobility, may be at heightened risk of long COVID, suggests a case-control study published in the open access journal BMJ Public Health.
They were 30% more likely not to have fully recovered from COVID-19 infection than those without hypermobile joints, and to be experiencing the persistent fatigue associated with long COVID, the findings indicate.
Other than older age, the likelihood of developing long COVID seems to be greater ...
Air quality around planned new schools in England “alarmingly poor”
2024-03-20
The air quality around planned new schools in England is “alarmingly poor,” with 86% of sites exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) targets on major air pollutants, reveals an analysis published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
The consequences for health from exposure to excessive levels of air pollutants are well known, say the researchers, who call for air quality assessment at all stages of planning to be mandated, and legislation and guidance to be updated as a matter of urgency.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, because their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing, explain ...
Study reveals ‘cozy domesticity’ of prehistoric stilt-house dwellers in England’s ancient marshland
2024-03-20
A major report on the remains of a stilt village that was engulfed in flames almost 3,000 years ago reveals in unprecedented detail the daily lives of England’s prehistoric fenlanders.
Must Farm, a late Bronze Age settlement, dates to around 850BC, with University of Cambridge archaeologists unearthing four large wooden roundhouses and a square entranceway structure – all of which had been constructed on stilts above a slow-moving river.
The entire hamlet stood approximately two metres above the riverbed, with walkways bridging some of the main houses, and ...
New archive of ancient human brains challenges misconceptions of soft tissue preservation
2024-03-20
Soft tissue preservation in the geological record is relatively rare, and, except where deliberate intervention halts the process of decay (like embalming or freezing), the survival of entire organs is particularly unusual. The spontaneous preservation of the brain in the absence of any other soft tissues - that is, the brain’s survival amongst otherwise skeletonised remains - has historically been regarded as a ‘one-of-a kind’ phenomenon.
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, led ...
Swallowable sensors could pinpoint gut movement problems for patients
2024-03-20
Scientists have developed an ingestible capsule dotted with sensors that can detect pressure in a patient’s guts and detect points of failure.
The ingestible system will give colorectal medical teams an unprecedented understanding of the movement of a patient’s digestive tract, or lack thereof.
Instead of simply taking images of inside the guts, the system will sense whether it’s contracting, how much pressure is exerted and exactly where it might be inactive.
The system has been tested in a synthetic gut and animals. A patent for the technology is pending.
The team from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Birmingham, with colleagues from the University ...
Genetic test identifies patients with triple negative breast cancer who are unlikely to respond to immunotherapies
2024-03-20
Milan, Italy: Researchers have developed a genetic test that can identify how patients with triple negative early-stage breast cancer will respond to immunotherapy drugs. This means that patients who are unlikely to respond to these drugs can avoid the adverse side effects associated with them and can be treated with other therapies.
Professor Laura van ‘t Veer told the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference that the latest results from the I-SPY2 trial [1] suggest that the current standard of care for patients with triple negative breast cancer should be reconsidered.
“Immunotherapy drugs can ...
Similar DNA changes found in cells of both smokers and e-cigarette users
2024-03-20
E-cigarette users with a limited smoking history experience similar DNA changes to specific cheek cells as smokers, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL (University College London) and University of Innsbruck.
This study is an incremental step in helping researchers to build a deeper understanding of the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on health. Although it does not show that e-cigarettes cause cancer, studies with long-term follow up are important to assess whether e-cigarettes have harmful effects and, if so, what they are.
The study, published in Cancer Research, ...
New data show pembrolizumab improves breast cancer outcomes regardless of age or menopausal status
2024-03-20
Milan, Italy: New data from the KEYNOTE-756 phase 3 clinical trial show that adding the immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, to chemotherapy before and after surgery for breast cancer leads to better outcomes for patients regardless of their age or menopausal status.
The findings, presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC 14) today (Wednesday), add to information available on the effect of pembrolizumab in patients with early-stage breast cancer that is at high risk of recurring or spreading further, and that is oestrogen ...