Lise's Lens: February 9, 2023
This week, Lise reads up on ChatGBT, considers ways we can help those impacted by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and listens to the astounding vocals of Opera unMet.
WHAT I’M READING
- I have been reading about ChatGBT, the new A.I. chatbot that can generate written responses and ideas in complete, coherent sentences with nearly the click of a button. Understandably, there is concern among educators that students will use this tool for papers and written assignments, essentially plagiarizing and submitting work that is not their own. But while I think it’s important that we familiarize ourselves with such tools and learn to understand how they work, we here at CSW are in great shape to face something like this. Our classes are constantly changing and evolving, and our courses are designed in such a way that would make it very difficult for a student to turn in work using this tool without a teacher immediately knowing. What’s more, our assignments are so varied and dynamic, that I do not believe ChatGBT would be equipped to handle them. If we were a strict AP school, or if our teachers assigned the same banal essay topics year after year, that would be a different story. But that is not us.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- I have been thinking about all those affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The loss and destruction caused by these powerful quakes is simply unimaginable, and my heart goes out to all those with connections to the area. In the coming days, I hope we can find ways as a community to contribute to the relief effort. This article in The Washington Post offers some suggestions.
WHAT I'M LISTENING TO
- Yesterday, as a special tribute to Black History Month, we welcomed Opera unMet, a Boston community-based opera company run by former CSW music teacher Marshall Hughes, for a moving performance at our all-school assembly. In addition to Marshall’s voice and instrumental talents, we were treated to the vocal and theatrical stylings of Sarah Cooper, Isabel Randall, and Alan Rias, with our own Michael Weinstein on the keyboard. The group performed excerpts from Ragtime, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Bizet’s’ Carmen, and Verdi’s Aida. I was totally blown away by the talent and passion exhibited, and even noticed many of our fellow audience members moved to tears. We were all completely transfixed. Here is a short recording from the morning – featuring our very own Dana Howell-Brimage ’25 with a spoken word performance.What a pleasure and a privilege it was to have this time in our day to enjoy such beautiful music. And what a delight to have Marshall — who originally invited Michael to work at CSW — back on campus. Some of you will also recall that our jazz ensemble performed with Marshall and his colleagues in Roxbury this past spring. It is a special relationship we look forward to continuing in the years ahead.
Here I am with Music Department Chair Michael Weinstein and our special guests from Opera unMet.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.