Joe Sabado – Higher Education & Technology Leadership

Based on the conversations online and institutions’ responses to ChatGPT, it is a technology that merits serious consideration concerning student academic experience and teaching/learning. My observation of the concerns around ChatGPT and academic concerns and possibilities led me to think of ways to frame the applicability and utility of ChatGPT in higher education. I’m reminded of Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson’s “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education” to frame ChatGPT.

Here are the seven principles:

1. Encourage contact between students and faculty
2. Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students
3. Encourage active learning
4. Give prompt feedback
5. Emphasize time on task
6. Communicate high expectations
7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning

I have yet to explore whether ChatGPT is even applicable to these principles. However, if it is, what kinds of questions should we consider as educators and higher education administrators? I suppose one could ask the following questions:

1. How can ChatGPT be used to encourage contact between students and faculty? Should it be?
2. How can ChatGPT be used to develop reciprocity and cooperation among students? Should it be?
3. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to encourage active learning? Should it be?
4. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to give prompt feedback? Should it be?
5. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to emphasize time on task? Should it be?
6. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to communicate high expectations? Should it be?
7. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to respect diverse talents and ways of learning? Should it be?

I prompted ChatGPT to provide examples of how ChatGPT can be applied in higher education using Chickering and Gamson’s “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education.” Here is the response:

1. Encourage contact between students and faculty: ChatGPT could facilitate communication between students and faculty by providing personalized responses to student inquiries, scheduling virtual office hours, and sending reminders about upcoming assignments or deadlines.
2. Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students: ChatGPT could help promote collaboration among students by facilitating group discussions, suggesting peer review activities, and providing resources on effective teamwork.
3. Encourage active learning: ChatGPT could recommend interactive learning activities such as simulations, games, and case studies, as well as offer guidance on how to create engaging learning experiences that promote active participation and critical thinking.
4. Give prompt feedback: ChatGPT could provide real-time feedback on assignments, assessments, and quizzes, as well as suggest ways for students to improve their performance.
5. Emphasize time on task: ChatGPT could help students manage their time effectively by providing time management strategies, scheduling tools, and recommendations for prioritizing tasks.
6. Communicate high expectations: ChatGPT could set clear expectations for assignments, assessments, and course outcomes, as well as provide resources to help students meet those expectations.
7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning: ChatGPT could provide resources and support for diverse learners, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, as well as students with disabilities or other challenges.

What are your thoughts on whether ChatGPT as it relates to “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education”? Do you agree with ChatGPT’s suggestions?

Based on the conversations online and institutions’ responses to ChatGPT, it is a technology that merits serious consideration concerning student academic experience and teaching/learning. My observation of the concerns around ChatGPT and academic concerns and possibilities led me to think of ways to frame the applicability and utility of ChatGPT in higher education. I’m reminded of Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson’s “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education” to frame ChatGPT.

Here are the seven principles:

1. Encourage contact between students and faculty
2. Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students
3. Encourage active learning
4. Give prompt feedback
5. Emphasize time on task
6. Communicate high expectations
7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning

I have yet to explore whether ChatGPT is even applicable to these principles. However, if it is, what kinds of questions should we consider as educators and higher education administrators? I suppose one could ask the following questions:

1. How can ChatGPT be used to encourage contact between students and faculty? Should it be?
2. How can ChatGPT be used to develop reciprocity and cooperation among students? Should it be?
3. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to encourage active learning? Should it be?
4. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to give prompt feedback? Should it be?
5. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to emphasize time on task? Should it be?
6. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to communicate high expectations? Should it be?
7. In what ways can ChatGPT be used to respect diverse talents and ways of learning? Should it be?

I prompted ChatGPT to provide examples of how ChatGPT can be applied in higher education using Chickering and Gamson’s “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education.” Here is the response:

1. Encourage contact between students and faculty: ChatGPT could facilitate communication between students and faculty by providing personalized responses to student inquiries, scheduling virtual office hours, and sending reminders about upcoming assignments or deadlines.
2. Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students: ChatGPT could help promote collaboration among students by facilitating group discussions, suggesting peer review activities, and providing resources on effective teamwork.
3. Encourage active learning: ChatGPT could recommend interactive learning activities such as simulations, games, and case studies, as well as offer guidance on how to create engaging learning experiences that promote active participation and critical thinking.
4. Give prompt feedback: ChatGPT could provide real-time feedback on assignments, assessments, and quizzes, as well as suggest ways for students to improve their performance.
5. Emphasize time on task: ChatGPT could help students manage their time effectively by providing time management strategies, scheduling tools, and recommendations for prioritizing tasks.
6. Communicate high expectations: ChatGPT could set clear expectations for assignments, assessments, and course outcomes, as well as provide resources to help students meet those expectations.
7. Respect diverse talents and ways of learning: ChatGPT could provide resources and support for diverse learners, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, as well as students with disabilities or other challenges.

What are your thoughts on whether ChatGPT as it relates to “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education”? Do you agree with ChatGPT’s suggestions?

After delving into ChatGPT and discovering the vast world of Artificial Intelligence, I realized that I need to learn Python. This programming language is widely used in machine learning and data science, and despite having a background in software development, I haven’t worked on complex projects in years. Recently, I’ve been using app script and Google Sheets for some work-related tasks, but when it comes to Python, I have no experience whatsoever. As someone who enjoys self-studying, I asked ChatGPT to create a “curriculum” for me to learn Python. My main goals are to master this programming language and to demonstrate ChatGPT’s usefulness for self-learning. it is quite helpful in providing code examples and instructions such as how to setup a Python environment on Windows.

I was inspired to start my journey tonight after watching a video on Twitter that showcased Azure’s computer vision and OpenAI text-to-speech to identify a museum and use ChatGPT to ask for more information about it. While my ultimate goal is to create a similar program, I know I have to start from the basics, and I’m excited to begin this new chapter in my learning journey. I will update this blog post as I progress through the lessons designed by ChatGPT.

Prompt: Create a self-study curriculum for python for a beginner. Include exercises.

Week 1: Introduction to Python

Lesson 1: Getting started with Python

• Overview of Python: history, applications, advantages
• Installing Python on your computer: latest version, different ways to install
• Basic setup: running Python scripts, using the Python shell
• Using an IDE or code editor for development

Lesson 2: Variables, data types, and operators

• Variables: assigning values, naming conventions, data types
• Data types: numbers (integers, floats), strings, Booleans, type casting
• Operators: arithmetic, comparison, logical, identity, membership

Lesson 3: Basic input/output and string manipulation

• Input and output: using the input() and print() functions, reading from and writing to files

Note: Just an example, I asked chatGPT to provide more details for this section. The following is what it generated.

Input and Output

Printing Output with the print() Function

In Python, you can use the print() function to display output to the console. The print() function takes one or more arguments, which can be strings, variables, or expressions.

Getting Input with the input() Function

In Python, you can use the input() function to prompt the user for input. The input() function takes a single argument, which is the prompt to display to the user.

Reading from Files

Python has built-in support for reading and writing files. To read from a file, you can use the open() function to open the file, and then use the read() method to read the contents of the file.

Writing to Files

To write to a file, you can use the open() function to open the file in write mode (“w”), and then use the write() method to write data to the file.

Exercises:

1. Write a program that prompts the user to enter a file name, and then reads and displays the contents of the file.
2. Write a program that prompts the user to enter a string, and then writes the string to a file.
3. Modify one of the previous exercises to handle any exceptions that might occur when opening or reading/writing to a file.

• String manipulation: indexing, slicing, concatenation, formatting
• Common string methods and functions

Lesson 4: Simple control structures: if-else statements and loops

• Conditional statements: if, else, elif
• Loops: for, while, range(), enumerate()
• Using loops to iterate over lists, tuples, and dictionaries
• Control flow: break, continue, pass statements

Exercises:

1. Write a program that prompts the user to enter their name and greets them. The program should print a message that says “Hello, [name]!”.
2. Write a program that calculates the area of a rectangle given its length and width. The program should prompt the user to enter the length and width, and then print out the area.
3. Write a program that prints out the first 20 numbers of the Fibonacci sequence. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The first two numbers in the sequence are 0 and 1. The third number is 0 + 1 = 1, the fourth number is 1 + 1 = 2, and so on. The first 20 numbers in the sequence are: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597, 2584, 4181.

Week 2: Functions and Modules

Lesson 1: Defining and calling functions

• What are functions?
• Defining functions: syntax, parameters, return statement
• Calling functions: passing arguments, return values, default parameters

Lesson 2: Function arguments and return values

• Arguments: positional arguments, keyword arguments, *args, **kwargs
• Return values: returning multiple values, unpacking values

Lesson 3: Built-in functions and standard modules

• Built-in functions: range(), len(), print(), input(), type()
• Standard modules: math, random, time, datetime, os

Lesson 4: Creating and using your own modules

• Creating modules: defining functions, importing modules
• Using modules: accessing functions, importing specific functions or variables

Exercises:

1. Write a function that takes a list of integers as input and returns the sum of the even numbers.
2. Write a program that imports the math module and calculates the area of a circle given its radius. The program should prompt the user to enter the radius, and then print out the area.
3. Create a module that contains a function that prints out the lyrics to a popular song. Import the module and call the function.

Week 3: Object-Oriented Programming

Lesson 1: Classes and objects

• What are classes and objects?
• Defining classes: syntax, instance variables, instance methods
• Creating objects: instantiating a class, accessing object attributes

Lesson 2: Attributes and methods

• Attributes: class variables, instance variables, property decorators
• Methods: instance methods, class methods, static methods

Lesson 3: Inheritance and polymorphism

• Inheritance: creating subclasses, inheriting attributes and methods
• Polymorphism: using subclasses in place of parent classes, method overriding

Exercises:

1. Define a class called Car that has a make, model, and year as attributes. Add a method called start that prints out “The car is starting”.
2. Define a subclass of Car called ElectricCar that has an additional attribute called battery_size. Add a method called charge that prints out “The car is charging”.
3. Create an instance of the ElectricCar class and call the start and charge methods.

Week 4: Advanced Topics

Lesson 1: Exceptions and error handling

• What are exceptions?
• Handling exceptions: try-except block, handling multiple exceptions, raising exceptions

Lesson 2: File input/output

• Opening and closing files: modes, file objects
• Reading and writing files: reading entire files, reading line by line, writing to files

Lesson 3: Regular expressions

• What are regular expressions?
• Using regular expressions in Python: search(), match(), findall(), sub(), split()

Exercises:

1. Write a program that reads in a file and counts the number of lines, words, and characters in it.
2. Write a program that prompts the user to enter a regular expression and then searches a file for all occurrences of that regular expression.
3. Modify one of the previous exercises to handle any exceptions that might occur.

Final Project:

• Using the skills you’ve learned, create a project that demonstrates your understanding of Python programming. This could be anything from a simple game to a web application.
• Plan your project, break it down into manageable parts, and implement each part one at a time.
• Test your project thoroughly and make any necessary modifications.
• Share your project with others and get feedback to help improve it.
• By the end of this self-study curriculum, you should have a good understanding of Python programming and be able to create your own Python programs. Remember to practice regularly and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Good luck!

This blog post is the result of an analysis of 35 articles listed here converted to pdfs uploaded to chatbase.co. The application, using OpenAI ChatGPT analyzed the content using the prompts I provided.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning algorithms to generate human-like responses to text-based prompts. It is trained on a massive dataset of human-generated text, allowing it to understand and respond to a wide range of topics and contexts. ChatGPT has been used in a variety of applications, including customer service chatbots, language translation, and even creative writing.

Why should organizations care about ChatGPT as it relates to cybersecurity?

IT professionals, staff, and company executives should care about ChatGPT and cybersecurity because cyber threats are a growing concern for organizations of all sizes and in all industries. Cyber attacks can result in significant financial losses, damage to reputation, and legal and regulatory penalties. ChatGPT can be used to improve an organization’s cybersecurity posture by providing advanced threat intelligence, incident response, and user training capabilities. However, it is important for IT professionals, staff, and company executives to be aware of the potential risks associated with ChatGPT and take steps to protect themselves from these threats. By staying informed about the latest trends and best practices in cybersecurity, organizations can stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a strong security posture.

What are the threats to cybersecurity?

The threats associated with ChatGPT include:

• The potential for ChatGPT to be hacked or manipulated by cybercriminals to provide false information or advice
• The risk of ChatGPT being used to spread misinformation or propaganda
• The potential for ChatGPT to be used to automate cyberattacks, such as social engineering attacks or phishing campaigns
• The risk of ChatGPT being used to bypass security controls, such as firewalls or intrusion detection systems
• The potential for ChatGPT to be used to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data
• The risk of ChatGPT being used to generate convincing deep fake videos or audio recordings, which could be used to spread false information or manipulate individuals or organizations.

ChatGPT can be used to improve a cybersecurity posture in a number of ways, including:

• Threat intelligence analysis: As explained by The Data Visualization Catalogue Blog, ChatGPT can rapidly analyze large amounts of data from a variety of sources, such as news sites, social media, and other online platforms, to identify potential threats to an organization’s cybersecurity. It can also provide insights into new and emerging threats, which can help organizations proactively protect themselves.
• Incident response: ChatGPT can be used to automate incident response processes, such as identifying and containing security incidents, providing real-time advice and support to security teams, and generating reports and analysis of cybersecurity threats.
• User training: ChatGPT can be used to generate custom examples of phishing emails and other types of cyber threats, which can be used to train employees on how to identify and respond to these threats.

The benefits of using ChatGPT to defend cybersecurity include:

• Improved threat intelligence: ChatGPT can rapidly analyze large amounts of data from a variety of sources, allowing organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a strong security posture.
• Faster incident response: ChatGPT can automate incident response processes, allowing security teams to respond to security incidents more quickly and effectively.
• Better user training: ChatGPT can generate custom examples of phishing emails and other types of cyber threats, which can be used to train employees on how to identify and respond to these threats.
• Enhanced situational awareness: ChatGPT can provide real-time advice and support to security teams, allowing them to make more informed decisions and respond to security incidents more effectively.
• Improved reporting and analysis: ChatGPT can generate reports and analysis of cybersecurity threats, which can be used to identify areas for improvement and develop more effective security strategies.

What can companies do to protect themselves?

To protect themselves from the threats associated with ChatGPT, companies can take a number of steps, including:

• Implementing strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems
• Regularly updating and patching software and systems to address known vulnerabilities
• Implementing network segmentation and other security controls to limit the impact of a potential breach
• Providing regular cybersecurity training to employees to help them identify and respond to potential threats
• Monitoring network traffic and system logs for signs of suspicious activity
• Implementing multi-factor authentication and other security measures to prevent social engineering attacks and other types of cyber threats
• Conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in their security posture
• Developing and implementing an incident response plan to ensure a rapid and effective response to security incidents
• Working with third-party security providers to implement advanced security measures and stay up-to-date on the latest threats and trends in cybersecurity
• Regularly reviewing and updating their security policies and procedures to ensure they are aligned with best practices and industry standards.

Conclusion

ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the way organizations defend against cyber threats, providing advanced threat intelligence, incident response, and user training capabilities. However, it is important for organizations to be aware of the potential risks associated with ChatGPT and take steps to protect themselves from these threats. By implementing strong security controls, providing regular training to employees, and working with third-party security providers, organizations can stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a strong security posture in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Introduction:

Due to several factors, including changing student demographics and expectations, technological advancements, compliance requirements, and shifts in the job market, higher education is continually transforming. Institutions respond to these drivers by implementing new or existing programs, adopting innovative technologies to enhance learning, teaching, and research, and modifying policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements. Additionally, some institutions may undergo organizational restructurings, such as mergers or integrations, to achieve economies of scale and address inefficiencies. Implementing these changes can be challenging. This is where organizational change management comes into play. In this blog post, I will introduce a formal process called ProSci Change Management and its vital role in organizational changes.

As a leader/sponsor or recipient of change, it is crucial to understand the reasons behind the change and its potential impact. Before implementing any change, specific questions must be answered and communicated effectively to all stakeholders. These questions include:

• Why are we changing? This helps to provide context and explain the need for change.
• Why are we changing now? This helps explain the urgency of the change and why it needs to happen now.
• What is changing? This helps to clarify what specifically is changing and what areas will be impacted.
• What is not changing? This helps to reassure stakeholders that some things will remain the same and help to reduce anxiety.
• What is the risk of not changing? This helps to explain the potential consequences of not making the change.

Think of a time when you’ve experienced change initiatives that met its intended outcomes and when stakeholders “bought in” to the change. How were the questions above defined and communicated?

Personal Experience with Change Management

In my 27-year career, I have led and been involved in major organizational changes, which has given me an understanding of the impact these changes can have on individuals and teams. From my experience, I have observed that when an organization does not consider proper change management, staff can experience negative consequences. Conversely, when the “people side of change” is intentionally considered and actively managed, successful initiatives can lead to ownership and satisfaction among those involved and impacted. Success is defined as achieving intended outcomes and ensuring those involved feel heard and valued. One of the recent and most complex changes I led and was a sponsor of was the integration of two IT organizations that spanned three years.

The Impact of ChatGPT:

Technology integration is often a significant change for organizations, and the adoption of ChatGPT is no exception. As an AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT has the potential to disrupt traditional communication channels and change the way people work. In higher education, it has the potential to impact teaching, learning, and administrative processes. Implementing ChatGPT requires careful planning and management to ensure a successful transition.

The Importance of Change Management:

Depending on the scope and significance of an organizational change, one or all of these components may affect the organization and the people.

• Processes
• Systems
• Tools
• Job Roles
• Critical Behaviors
• Mindsets/Attitudes/Beliefs
• Reporting Structure
• Performance Reviews
• Compensation
• Location

This is where change management comes in. Change management is the process of planning and implementing change in a structured and controlled manner to minimize the negative impact on employees, customers, and other stakeholders. It provides a structured approach to managing the people side of change and ensures that everyone affected by the change understands why it’s happening, what’s changing, and how it will impact them.

The ProSci Change Management Process:

Many formal change management frameworks are available, including Lewin’s Change Management Model, Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model Bridges’ Transition Model, and McKinsey 7-S Model. and ProSci ADKAR framework.

I introduced ProSci as the change management process for integrating the two IT units because it resonated with me as it was more specific in addressing changes at the individual level. A principle of ProSci is that organizational change is the result of the collective individual changes.

The ProSci Change Management process consists of three phases:

• Phase 1: Prepare for Change – Define your change management strategy, prepare your change management team, and develop your sponsorship model.
• Phase 2: Manage Change – Develop change management plans that include communications, sponsorship, coaching, training, and resistance management.
• Phase 3: Sustain Outcomes – Review performance, activate sustainment strategies, and transfer ownership.

The Change Success Triangle is a crucial part of the ProSci Change Management process and provides a framework for organizations to manage change successfully.

The Change Success Triangle consists of four components:

• Success: clarity on the aim or purpose of the initiative
• Leadership/sponsorship: provides strategy, direction, and guidance
• Project management: delivers a solution that meets business requirements
• Change management: enables people to adopt and use the solution

Another essential component of ProSci is ADKAR, which is an acronym for the five key building blocks of successful change:

1. Awareness: This involves creating awareness of the need for change and its reasons. It’s about helping people understand why the change is necessary and what benefits it will bring.
2. Desire: This involves creating a desire for the change by helping people understand how it will personally benefit them. It’s about creating buy-in and ownership for the change.
3. Knowledge: This involves providing the knowledge and skills needed to change. It’s about providing training and support to ensure people are equipped to change.
4. Ability: This involves creating the ability to change by providing the necessary resources, tools, and support. It’s about removing obstacles and providing ongoing support to ensure people have what they need to change.
5. Reinforcement: This involves reinforcing the change by celebrating successes and embedding the change into the organization’s culture. It’s about making the change stick and ensuring it becomes part of the new way.

Middle Managers and Change Management:

Middle managers play a critical role in ensuring the change is successful by supporting their teams, communicating effectively, and managing any issues. While change management is essential for all levels of the organization, middle managers often have the most challenging roles. They not only need to go through the change themselves, but they also need to lead their staff in their roles as coaches, liaisons, and conflict managers.

Managers assume these five roles (CLARC) under the ProSci model:

• Communicator – Share personal impact messages with direct reports about the change
• Liaison – Engage with and support the project team
• Advocate – Demonstrate support for the change
• Resistance Manager – Identify and mitigate resistance to the change
• Coach – Help employees through the change process

Conclusion:

Effective change management is essential for organizations to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing business environment. The ProSci Change Management process provides a structured and holistic approach to managing change and ensuring success. Whether integrating new technology like ChatGPT or implementing significant organizational changes, the ProSci Change Management process can help organizations navigate the complexities of change and achieve their goals.

As a leader/sponsor or recipient of change, it is crucial to understand and communicate the reasons behind the change and its potential impact. Organizations can provide context and clarity around the change by answering key questions such as why we are changing, what is changing, and the risk of not changing. By following a structured change management process like ProSci, organizations can minimize the risks associated with change and make the transition as smooth as possible.

Middle managers play a critical role in ensuring the change is successful by supporting their teams, communicating effectively, and managing any issues. Organizations can ensure that they have the skills and confidence to lead their teams through the change by providing them with the tools, training, and support they need.

In conclusion, integrating new technology like ChatGPT can significantly change organizations. However, with the right change management approach and effective communication, training and support, transparency, open feedback, leadership, and celebrating successes, organizations can successfully navigate the complexities of change and emerge stronger and more competitive. By embracing change and taking a structured approach to managing it, organizations can create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement that drives long-term success.