Exploring the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education : a case of lecturers in a University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

ChatGPT has been regarded by many scholars as the innovation of the century since its inception in November 2022. This is mainly because of the things that are out of this world that ChatGPT is capable of doing and that has led to many heated arguments about using ChatGPT in higher education settings. As a result, this qualitative study sought to explore the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education by getting the views of eight (8) lecturers through semi-structured interviews. The data from the semi structured interviews was analyzed using a thematic analysis to gauge the lecturer's view about the adoption of ChatGPT in higher education. This study adopted a convenience sampling technique to select the eight (8) lecturers that formed part of this study. This study responded to the objectives of this study through the aid of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory which underpinned this study. The findings from the semi-structured interviews indicated that ChatGPT is a tool that will promote laziness in students and take away the ability to think critically. Findings further revealed that most lectures have engaged with ChatGPT, and they were mesmerized by the ability ChatGPT has. Based on the findings, this study recommends that students should be taught how to use ChatGPT as a supporting tool for teaching and learning rather than taking ChatGPT as a tool to do everything for them which will impact the kind of graduates, they will be upon graduating in higher education.