ChatGPT's new 'Study Together' feature focuses on teaching users through questions, making the learning process interactive and effective.
Study Together: With the growing expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a new and interesting change is coming to the education sector. OpenAI is preparing to add a new feature, 'Study Together', to its popular chatbot service, ChatGPT, which will not only provide answers to users but also explain and teach them. This feature could prove to be a revolutionary tool, especially for students and curious learners.
What is the 'Study Together' feature?
This new feature, called 'Study Together', helps users learn and understand a subject in depth. Traditional chatbots usually provide direct answers, but this new mode will guide the user like an instructor. It will break down a subject into smaller parts and then ask the user questions so that they think, understand, and arrive at the correct answer themselves.
The Return of the Socratic Style Through AI
The most special thing about this feature is that it is based on the 'Socratic Method'. This teaching system is inspired by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who taught his students the process of thinking and finding answers through a series of questions. In this method, the teacher does not give the answers, but helps the student reach the answer themselves through questions. OpenAI's effort is based on this very idea. This allows students or users to develop the ability to think deeply, analyze, and internalize knowledge.
Where and how will this feature be available?
Currently, this feature is available in a limited testing phase for some ChatGPT Plus users. Some users have shared screenshots of this feature on Reddit and other social media platforms, in which it is seen that the 'Study Together' option appears as a dropdown menu next to the chatbox. According to Reddit user u/epic-cookie64, 'This feature breaks down a large topic into smaller parts and then asks the user questions, making them involved in the learning process themselves.'
A New Expansion of AI's Role in Education
This feature can provide a new direction for the education sector. Until now, many students were using AI only to solve homework or assignments, which, at times, takes the form of deception instead of learning. But features like 'Study Together' will inspire students to learn in the true sense rather than cheat. In fact, incidents of academic misconduct related to AI increased in many UK universities in 2023-24. In such a situation, this feature can emerge as an ethical and positive learning companion.
Competition from Google: Gemini for Education
It is worth noting that this month, Google also launched a new version of its AI chatbot, Gemini, 'Gemini for Education', for students, which focuses on teaching through AI. It also adopts the Socratic style. In such a scenario, the 'Study Together' feature puts ChatGPT in direct competition with Gemini.
Expectations and Challenges: What will be its impact?
If this feature is released globally, it will not only prove helpful for students but also useful for teachers, researchers, and those seeking general knowledge. This feature can be particularly beneficial for those who value self-learning and want to use ChatGPT like a tutor. However, it will also face challenges — such as dividing the subject correctly, asking appropriate questions, and moving forward in the right direction by understanding the user's answers. But considering OpenAI's technical capabilities, these challenges can be addressed.
