What are the perceptions of physics teachers in Brazil about ChatGPT in school activities?

Abstract

In this work, we propose to discuss the perceptions of physics teachers in Brazil about AI generative like ChatGPT. Data were collected by an online Focus Group (FG) held during three meetings of one and a half hours each, with six Brazilian physics teachers with varied experience and backgrounds. Participants’ discourse was analysed according to three different questions: (a) the players involved in using ChatGPT in physics classes, (b) the attitudes towards the introduction of ChatGPT in physics classes, and (c) the main functionalities of ChatGPT in physics classes. Our results indicate that physics teachers’ perceptions of GPT, in general, involves more the role of students than the role of the teacher, correspond to more positive than negative perception, and allows identifying four main functionalities defined as a co-pilot of lessons, as an educational bureaucracy manager, as a simple problem-solving tool, and as a literal information providing tool.