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Using AI for Learning Languages

I’ve read a lot recently about using AI as a language learning aid, so I thought I’d give it a go. After all, it’s cheaper than a tutor, and always available. I mostly used (the free version of) ChatGPT as it seemed better than Bard and Bing. What’s the word? Quizzing on words, flash-card style, can be useful, but tends to be a bit boring (sorry Anki, Memrise, Quizlet, etc). Instead, ask ChatGPT to define a word. It will explain the word, and you can guess what it is. You can even ask for hints! This worked pretty well, although it does have a habit of saying what the word is even if you tell it not to.

Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 6 minutes Read
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The Three Cs: Consumption, Creation, and Contemplation

Summaries ChatGPT The writer is considering how they should spend their free time, and divides actions into three categories: consumption, creation, and contemplation. Consumption is about taking in media for entertainment or education, creation is about putting something out, like creating art or building something, and contemplation is deep thinking. The writer argues that many people spend most of their time on consumption, and that true value comes from the other two categories. They suggest that consumption is appealing because it can present itself as accomplishment, because the education system focuses on regurgitating facts rather than creativity, and because it is easier than actively creating or contemplating. They also argue that the constant availability of media to consume denies people the opportunity to have “dead time” for creative thoughts to arise, and that true education requires creativity and contemplation in addition to consumption.

Sunday, January 1, 2023 | 7 minutes Read