Reflection

I. Initial Thoughts or Expectations about Using ChatGPT and Inquiry-Based Learning​

​         How to maximize the strengths of this tool is the point.

           Before this course, I was already familiar with ChatGPT. I considered it a convenient tool but recognized its limitations and suitable contexts for use. If I were to quantify its contributions, I’d rate it as 50% helpful for writing and 60% for learning. I think writing still requires personal effort, as ChatGPT tends to produce content following fixed templates. If everyone relies on ChatGPT for writing, the results are likely to be similar. Even if the similarity isn’t measurable, readers can often distinguish AI-generated content from human-authored work.

           However, as a supplementary learning tool, ChatGPT excels in tasks like translation and grammar correction. These foundational functions are where it performs remarkably well. My initial thoughts revolved around knowing its shortcomings and focusing on exploring how to leverage its strengths effectively—this became my key challenge and area of learning.

II. Changes in Perception of Inquiry-Based Learning and ChatGPT

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           Throughout the course, I discovered new uses for ChatGPT that I hadn’t considered before. For instance, I used it to create survey outlines by asking it to help me draft an initial structure for my questions. After collecting responses, I relied on ChatGPT to classify and organize the results quickly and efficiently.This process felt like I was maximizing its value by assigning tasks it’s particularly suited for. I also realized the importance of giving precise instructions to maximize its effectiveness. For example, specifying the type of questions I wanted, maintaining a neutral tone, or creating bilingual outputs significantly improved the relevance of its responses. These are techniques I’ve learned to apply during the course.

III. Specific Instance Where Inquiry-Based Learning or ChatGPT Improved Writing Performance

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          ChatGPT significantly helped me in two memorable scenarios:

                 1. Clarifying Research Ideas: When brainstorming the title and structure of my research paper, I had numerous scattered ideas and struggled to organize them. ChatGPT helped me streamline my thoughts and analyze various perspectives, saving time I would have spent researching different viewpoints.
                  2. Identifying Research Gaps: ChatGPT was instrumental in identifying gaps in my research. It significantly reduced the time needed to sift through texts, allowing me to focus on verifying its suggestions before incorporating them.

IV. Challenge Faced and How It Was Overcome

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        The primary challenge I faced was ChatGPT’s reliance on templates and fixed structures, as I mentioned earlier in the first part. To overcome this, I ensured that I drafted my initial thoughts before using ChatGPT for refinement and grammatical correction. Also, I provided precise instructions tailored to my needs, particularly when improving sentences that I found difficult to articulate. These strategies allowed me to maintain originality in my writing while benefiting from ChatGPT’s strengths. I believe that the more familiar the users become with these tools, the better we can identify tasks they are suited for, which helps reduce the difficulties that may arise from using them.

V. Influence of Inquiry-Based Learning and ChatGPT on Writing Skills and Overall Learning Experience

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               ​Overall, ChatGPT is an incredibly practical and efficient tool. Through this course, I learned how to better utilize it in my research process. For example, I used it to create surveys, organize and classify arguments, and review grammar and sentence fluency. It was especially helpful for foundational tasks and saved a considerable amount of time—time I might have otherwise spent lost in an overwhelming amount of information.

               This course answered my initial question: How can I maximize ChatGPT’s strengths? I’ve realized that its effectiveness depends on the user’s ability to craft precise instructions and focus on areas where it excels. While it has limitations, these don’t undermine its value as a tool; instead, they highlight the irreplaceable role of human creativity. Writing cannot—and should not—rely solely on machines, as that would strip the act of writing and its outcomes of meaning. As a tool, ChatGPT is most valuable when users leverage its strengths, verify its outputs, and use it responsibly, making it a resource that can exceed its perceived limitations.