ChatGPT was blocked on Naperville Central’s school devices in December 2022 in order to prevent students from using the program to cheat on finals. 

Central’s administration does not plan to keep the program banned permanently, according to Dr. Steve Jeretina, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction.

“As time has passed and more is learned about what [ChatGPT] is and how it can be used, our perspective on it has changed,” Jeretina said. “There’s going to be a time, sooner or later, where we unblock it.”

Since  students can still use ChatGPT despite it being blocked, Jeretina said other solutions are needed.

“We’re at a point where we realized that a lot of learning for staff needs to occur about what these resources are,” Jeretina said. “We’ve got to learn how to educate staff on how we can best use this so that it can be incorporated into the classroom in an effective manner.”

After teachers are educated on the program, individual departments will decide what to do with ChatGPT.

“It’s something we’re going to have to live with,” social studies teacher Mike Ulreich said. “Are there ways to monitor it? Certainly. But it certainly helps us reflect on how we assess things. What’s the best way to assess things? What shows evidence that the student thinks clearly and can express themselves clearly?”

Jeretina said this reflection may cause curricular changes.

“It absolutely can change what a classroom or what engagement with students looks like,” Jeretina said. “There’s benefits but also challenges that are going to come with this technology just like anything else. This is just the next chapter of the evolution of technology.”