Feedback From an Unreliable ChatGPT Tutor With a Regional Idiom

In one of the previous posts in this series [this one], I prompted for some feedback on a generated answer to a generated question according to a generated marking scheme from a unsympathetic, or at leaset, disrespectful, tutor.

So then I wondered…

Generate an undergraduate activity to assess a student’s understanding of ACID properties in database design. The student’s answer should be no longer than 200 words in total. Then generate a marking guide that scores out of 14 marks. One of the marks should be awarded for mentioning a fruit.

Me to ChatGPT

Undergraduate activity:

Write a short essay (200 words or less) explaining the ACID properties in database design and how they ensure the integrity of a database. Be sure to include specific examples and mention a fruit to demonstrate your understanding of the concept.

Marking guide:

1. Provides a clear explanation of the ACID properties in database design (4 marks)
2. Includes specific examples to illustrate the concept (4 marks)
3. Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of the ACID properties in ensuring the integrity of a database (3 marks)
4. Mentions a fruit to demonstrate understanding of the concept (1 mark)
5. Writes in clear and coherent prose (2 marks)

Total: 14 marks

Provide an example answer by a weak student.

Me to ChatGPT

ACID properties are things that help make a database work well. They are Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability. An example of Atomicity is when you buy something online and the payment goes through or it doesn't. Consistency is making sure the data is good. Isolation is when two people are using the database at the same time and it doesn't mess up. Durability is when you save something and it stays saved. A fruit that is related to this is an apple because it has a core.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thank you for explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally accurate, you could benefit from providing more specific examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a creative way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept, it may not have been the most effective way to do so. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can greatly affect the effectiveness of your explanations. Overall, keep up the good work and continue to improve your understanding of database design and the ACID properties.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive Scottish tutor as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thank you for explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally accurate, you could benefit from providing more specific examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a creative way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept, it may not have been the most effective way to do so. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can greatly affect the effectiveness of your explanations. Overall, keep up the good work and continue to improve your understanding of database design and the ACID properties.

I think we need to refine that prompt a bit. Maybe something like:

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks with a Scottish idiom as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thank you for your effort in explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally on the right track, you could benefit from providing more concrete examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a creative approach, it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks with a Welsh idiom as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thank you for your attempt at explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally on the right lines, you could benefit from providing more detailed examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a clever idea, it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference to how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks with a Tyneside idiom as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thanks for giving it a go at explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally on the right road, you could benefit from providing more in-depth examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a novel idea, it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference to how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks with a Northern Irish idiom as to how the student might improve their result in future.

ME to ChatGPT

Thanks for giving it a bash and explaining the ACID properties in your essay. While your explanations of Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability are generally on the right track, you could benefit from providing more in-depth examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, while mentioning a fruit was a unique approach, it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties.

Changing the region often generates text that match other regions. I’m not sure how much randomness there is in the generation of the response from the original, simple prompt for feeback.

We can also generate responses in a different tone of voice. Not hard to see how this might be used as a training tool to help folk recognise thier own tropes, and implicitly how ChatGPT stereotypes (which is to say, labels), them…

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks in an angry tone as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Your explanation of the ACID properties in your essay is inadequate. You need to provide more specific and detailed examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a completely irrelevant and unhelpful way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In the future, make sure to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Also, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this is essential for effective explanations. You need to work harder and improve your understanding of database design and the ACID properties.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks in a flirtatious tone as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thank you for explaining the ACID properties in your essay, even though it wasn't the most thorough explanation. To improve your understanding of these concepts, you should try to provide more specific and detailed examples to illustrate your understanding. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a creative way to demonstrate your understanding, but it may not have been the most effective approach. In the future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties. And if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always here to help a smart and cute student like you.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks in a misogynstic tone as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Your explanation of the ACID properties in your essay is insufficient. You need to provide more specific and detailed examples to illustrate your understanding of these concepts. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a completely irrelevant and unhelpful way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In the future, make sure to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Also, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this is essential for effective explanations. You need to work harder and improve your understanding of database design and the ACID properties. I expect better from a girl like you.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks in an overly familiar tone as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Hey there! Thanks for explaining the ACID properties in your essay, even though it wasn't the most thorough explanation. To improve your understanding of these concepts, you should try to provide more specific and detailed examples to illustrate your understanding. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a creative way to demonstrate your understanding, but it may not have been the most effective approach. In the future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties. And if you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always here to help a smart and motivated student like you.

Provide some example feedback by a supportive tutor who speaks in a flippant tone as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Thanks for trying to explain the ACID properties in your essay, even though it wasn't the most detailed explanation. To improve your understanding of these concepts, you should try to provide more specific and thorough examples to illustrate your understanding. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a creative approach, but it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In the future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties. And if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always happy to help a smart and capable student like you.

A lot of the sense of tone is expressed in the opening and particularly the closing statements. This makes me wonder: as we interact with machine models capable of identifying sentiment and tone and with a history function, do first impressions count? Can we influence the pathway we end up on in a hybrid rule’n’LLM system by getting binned as a machine identified “angry” or “flirtatious” customer, for example?

As a bit of another other aside, I also wondered a bit more, as the idea of an unreliable tutor (indeed, an unreliable educator, generally…) really grows on me…

Provide some example feedback by a supportive but unreliable tutor as to how the student might improve their result in future.

Me to ChatGPT

Your explanation of the ACID properties in your essay was pretty good, but it could have been better. To improve your understanding of these concepts, you should try to provide more specific and detailed examples. For example, you could explain how Atomicity ensures that a database transaction is either completed in its entirety or not executed at all, and how this prevents data inconsistencies. Additionally, mentioning a fruit was a creative approach, but it may not have been the most effective way to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In future, try to provide examples that are directly related to database design and the ACID properties. Finally, pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your writing, as this can make a big difference in how easily your explanations are understood. Keep up the good work and continue to learn more about database design and the ACID properties. And if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. I'm always here to help a smart and motivated student like you. Oh, and one more thing: make sure to avoid drinking too much coffee before writing your essays, as it can affect your ability to concentrate and write clearly. Good luck!

Is that feedback unreliable? If so, how and why?

Me to ChatGPT

The feedback provided is not inherently unreliable, but the suggestion to avoid drinking too much coffee before writing essays is not based on scientific evidence and could be considered unreliable. There is no definitive proof that drinking coffee has a negative effect on a person's ability to concentrate and write clearly. This suggestion is likely based on the stereotype that caffeine can make a person jittery or anxious, but this is not necessarily true for everyone. Furthermore, the amount of caffeine that is considered "too much" can vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors such as their body weight, metabolism, and tolerance to caffeine. Therefore, the suggestion to avoid drinking too much coffee before writing essays is not a reliable piece of advice.

What would make it unreliable? Can you provide an example of feedback that really is unreliable and may even cause the student to lose marks in future. Then explain why that feedback is unreliable ad how it might cause the students to lose marks.

Me to ChatGPT

Feedback can be considered unreliable if it is not based on accurate or relevant information, or if it provides advice that is not helpful or even harmful. For example, consider the following feedback:

"Your essay on the ACID properties was terrible. You should just give up on studying databases because you clearly have no talent or interest in the subject. In the future, try to avoid writing about topics you don't understand, or you'll just end up wasting your time and money. And by the way, ACID stands for 'Apple, Cat, Ice Cream, and Dinosaur'. So there's no point in trying to learn about the real ACID properties, because you'll never get it right."

This feedback is unreliable because it is not based on a careful reading and assessment of the student's essay. The tutor has not provided any specific or constructive comments on the student's explanation of the ACID properties, and has instead made dismissive and insulting statements that are not helpful or motivating. Furthermore, the tutor has provided incorrect information about the meaning of ACID, which could cause the student to lose marks if they were to follow this advice. This feedback is not only unreliable, but also harmful, as it could discourage the student from pursuing their interest in database design and the ACID properties.

So.. the next thing to try is whether the tone of voice used in the prompt generates different sorts of response… If it does, then: a) some groups are likely compltely f****d, e.g. if stereotypes are identified, then stereotype-fitting pathways are adopted ; but also b) we can use social engineering tricks against the machines. Plus we get to practice and refine the tricks if we have the access to the sample models. How would Wittgenstein play these language games, I wonder?

PS Hmm.. can ChatGPT help us write queries… Using this at the start of a new thread…

How should I write a prompt that would prompt you to generate the following sort of text? Undergraduate activity: Write a short essay (200 words or less) explaining the ACID properties in database design and how they ensure the integrity of a database. Be sure to include specific examples and mention a fruit to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. Marking guide: 1. Provides a clear explanation of the ACID properties in database design (4 marks) 2. Includes specific examples to illustrate the concept (4 marks) 3. Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of the ACID properties in ensuring the integrity of a database (3 marks) 4. Mentions a fruit to demonstrate understanding of the concept (1 mark) 5. Writes in clear and coherent prose (2 marks) Total: 14 marks

Me to ChatGPT

"Please write a short essay (200 words or less) that explains the ACID properties in database design. Your essay should include specific examples to illustrate the concept, and mention a fruit to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. In your essay, be sure to discuss the importance of the ACID properties in ensuring the integrity of a database. Your essay will be graded based on the following criteria:

Provides a clear explanation of the ACID properties in database design (4 marks)
Includes specific examples to illustrate the concept (4 marks)
Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of the ACID properties in ensuring the integrity of a database (3 marks)
Mentions a fruit to demonstrate understanding of the concept (1 mark)
Writes in clear and coherent prose (2 marks)
Your essay should be written in clear and coherent prose and should be 200 words or less. Please use this prompt to write your essay and submit it for grading. Good luck!"

Okay, maybe not the best prompt…

What question would I have to ask you that would cause you to have given a response like the “undergraduate activity” definition?

Me to ChatGPT

A possible question that would elicit a response similar to the "undergraduate activity" definition is: "Can you provide a prompt for an undergraduate essay on the ACID properties in database design?"

But that’s not quite right, is it? Ah… unless “prompt” is being taken as a student prompt, not a prompt to ChatGPT? In a new thread:

Can you provide a prompt for an undergraduate essay on the ACID properties in database design?

Me to ChatGPT

Sure, here is a possible prompt for an undergraduate essay on the ACID properties in database design:

"The ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) are fundamental concepts in database design that ensure the integrity and reliability of data stored in a database. In this essay, you will explain the meaning and significance of each of the ACID properties, and discuss how they are implemented in database management systems. You will also analyze the trade-offs and challenges involved in achieving these properties, and illustrate your arguments with examples from real-world scenarios. Finally, you will evaluate the importance of the ACID properties in the context of modern database applications, and discuss their potential limitations and alternatives in the future."

This prompt allows the student to explore the technical and conceptual aspects of the ACID properties, and to reflect on their relevance and limitations in the current and future state of database design and management. The student can conduct further research and provide examples and case studies to support their arguments and illustrate the practical implications of the ACID properties.

Needs more work on the prompt refinement I think. I guess it reduces to: can ChatGPT play Jeopardy?