A Pragmatic Approach to using LLMs

Abstract

The advent of ChatGPT, and the plethora of similar large language models (LLMs) that followed it, has brought to the forefront aspects of artificial intelligence that have been discussed over the past seventy-five years or so. This paper posits that practitioners in the field of open and distance learning (ODL) provision should probably adopt a pragmatic approach to the utilisation of these new tools, similar to the ways in which ODL practitioners have embraced previous technologies. Reflecting on personal experience as well as current work in progress with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the paper argues that a cautious and critical engagement, based on gradual improvement is probably going to be more beneficial than non-engagement or any attempt at delayed perfection.