Potential of ChatGPT in Biology Teaching and Learning at the

Vietnamese High School

Xuan-Hong Nguyen
Ha Tinh University
Hoang-Anh Nguyen
University of Education, Thai Nguyen University
Linh Cao
Bee AI, Hainoi, Vietnam
Hana Truong1
Bee AI, Hainoi, Vietnam

Abstract: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in education has gained significant attention in recent
years. In this paper, we explore the potential of ChatGPT, a language model based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, in
biology teaching and learning at Vietnamese high schools. We discuss the capabilities of ChatGPT in biology as well
as potential directions for using this technology in the classroom. We believe that ChatGPT has the potential to be a
valuable tool for biology education in Vietnam and can help to improve the quality of education for students. It could
be used to provide personalized learning for students, offer feedback on student work, or generate practice questions.
ChatGPT could also be used to create interactive learning experiences that engage students and help them to better
understand biological concepts.

Keyword: ChatGPT, biology teaching, learning, Vietnamese high school

I. Introduction is exposed to more data and feedback from users. The

GPT-4 version of the model has demonstrated human-
ChatGPT2 is a natural language processing (NLP)
like performance on certain tasks, such as those at the
model developed by OpenAI that uses artificial
high school level. This means that ChatGPT is capable
intelligence (AI) and deep learning techniques. It
of generating text that is indistinguishable from text
employs a transformer architecture to analyze input
that was written by a human [1]. Hana et al. [2], [3],
data and generate appropriate output. The model is
[4] conducted several studies exploring the role of
based on the Generative Pre-trained Transformer
ChatGPT in Vietnamese education and identified its
(GPT) network architecture, which leverages large
potential contributions to administrators, teachers, and
quantities of data from the internet to learn and capture
students. Quy et al., in a series of studies [5], [6], [7],
the syntax, semantics, and structure of language. One
[8], [9], [10], evaluated the performance of ChatGPT
of ChatGPT's distinguishing features is its capacity to
on the Vietnamese National High School Graduation
automatically learn and improve through continued
Examination, which covers subjects such as
training on new data. This means that the model can
mathematics, literature, English, physics, chemistry,
become more accurate and informative over time, as it

1
hana.truong@bee.id.vn
2
https://chat.openai.com/

1
biology, history, geography, and civic education. The
findings from these studies indicate that ChatGPT
demonstrates a general proficiency in the examination,
achieving an average score of 6-7 for both natural and
social science combinations. Specifically, ChatGPT
performed at an average level in mathematics, physics,
chemistry, and biology, while showing better
performance in literature, history, geography, and
civic education.
Several datasets have been utilized to evaluate the
capabilities of LLMs in the field of biology, with the
aim of comprehensively assessing their strengths and
limitations. These datasets offer valuable insights into
the potential applications of LLMs and shed light on
the impact they can have in various areas of biology
research and education. One notable dataset involves
engaging ChatGPT in a conversation specifically
focused on the function of computational systems
biology in stem cell research [11]. This dataset
highlights the model's ability to engage in specialized
discussions and demonstrates its capacity to
comprehend and provide relevant information in a
specific scientific context. By showcasing ChatGPT's
capabilities in this domain, the dataset emphasizes the
potential of LLMs to contribute to specialized
discussions and research inquiries within the field of
biology. In another study [12], the potential effects of
ChatGPT and other AI solutions on the domains of
biology and environmental science were discussed.
The authors presented real-world examples of
ChatGPT interactions, highlighting the diverse
benefits that LLMs can offer to various aspects of
biology and environmental science, including
education, research, scientific publishing, outreach,
and societal translation. These benefits encompass the
simplification and acceleration of highly complex
tasks, as well as the facilitation of knowledge
acquisition through the vast information resources
available to LLMs. Furthermore, a dataset focused on
employing ChatGPT to identify trends in synthetic
biology research for the coming decade showcased the
model's potential for forecasting and influencing
future scientific developments [13]. By leveraging its
language processing capabilities and access to vast
amounts of information, ChatGPT can aid researchers
in identifying emerging trends and shaping the
direction of synthetic biology research. Additionally,
an analysis of ChatGPT's utilization in academic
writing within the biomedical field highlighted its
usefulness in advancing academic research [11],. This
dataset underscored how LLMs can support
researchers in generating high-quality scientific
content and contributing to the biomedical knowledge
base. Other datasets and studies have explored diverse
applications of LLMs in biology. For instance, some
datasets focused on automating bioinformatics
programming tasks [14], assisting in computational
biology [15], empowering newcomers in
bioinformatics [16], and exploring the potential of
LLMs in medical education [17]. These studies
collectively contribute to our understanding of the
wide-ranging applications and potential impact of
LLMs in the field of biology.
The utilization of various datasets has provided
valuable insights into the capabilities and potential
applications of LLMs in biology research and
education. These datasets have demonstrated the
effectiveness of LLMs in engaging in specialized
discussions, supporting research inquiries, identifying
trends, advancing academic writing, automating tasks,
empowering newcomers, and enhancing medical
education. Through their diverse applications, LLMs
offer significant potential for transforming various
aspects of biology and shaping the future of scientific
2
exploration and discovery. and the Vietnamese students in scores from 2019-
The advancement of AI technologies has opened 2022. The figure shows that ChatGPT outperformance
up new possibilities for educational practices. to the Vietnamese students in almost years, this
ChatGPT, a powerful language model, has the demonstrates that ChatGPT has potentials to become a
potential to transform the way biology is taught and virtual assistant in supporting biology education.
learned in Vietnamese high schools. This paper aims
Table 2. Score of ChatGPT and Vietnamese students (Table adopted
to evaluate the capabilities of ChatGPT in biology
from [10])
education and explore its potential applications in the
ChatGPT AVS MVS
Vietnamese high school context. 2019 6 5.64 6.4
2020 6 5.6 5.25
2021 5.25 5.51 5.25
II. Capabilities of ChatGPT in biology 2022 5.75 5.02 4.5
2023 6
In this section, we dicuss the capabilities of AVG 5.8

ChatGPT in Vietnamese biology at high school level.

Firstly, we consider the performance of ChatGPT in
biology.
To assess the performance of ChatGPT in biology,
we analyzed its scores in the Vietnamese national high
school graduation examination. Table 1 presents the
average performance of ChatGPT in the biology test
over the past five years. The results show that
ChatGPT achieved an average score of 58%, Figure 1. Comparison in biology (Figure adopted from [10]).

indicating a relatively consistent performance.

III. Potential of ChatGPT in biology learning and

Table 1: Perforamance in biology test of the vietnamese national

teaching at Vietnamese high school
high school graduation examination (Data adopted from [10]) The potential applications of ChatGPT in biology
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 AVG education at Vietnamese high schools are vast.
ChatGPT 60 60 52.5 57.5 60 58 ChatGPT can serve as a virtual tutor, providing
personalized and adaptive learning experiences for
Table 2 shows the score of ChatGPT and students. It can answer questions, explain complex
Vietnamese students. The findings show that ChatGPT concepts, and offer real-time feedback, promoting
performed better than both the average score (AVS) active engagement and deeper understanding of
and the most attained score (MVS) of the Vietnamese biology topics. Moreover, ChatGPT can assist teachers
students. This demonstrates that ChatGPT performs in lesson planning, resource development, and
better than the typical scores obtained by Vietnamese assessment design, saving valuable time and
students. This demonstrates the potential application enhancing the quality of instruction.
of ChatGPT in Vietnam's high school biology The integration of ChatGPT in the classroom can
education. create an interactive and dynamic learning
Figure 1 shows a comparison between ChatGPT environment, fostering student-centered and

3
collaborative approaches to biology education.
Students can benefit from instant access to
information, continuous support, and the opportunity
to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
through dialogue with ChatGPT.
This section provides an overview of the potential
benefits of ChatGPT in enhancing biology education
at Vietnamese high schools including:
Personalized Learning Experiences: ChatGPT
can provide personalized learning experiences by
adapting to the individual needs of students. It can
answer questions, provide explanations, and offer
tailored feedback based on students' specific learning
styles and pace. By interacting with ChatGPT,
students can gain a deeper understanding of biology
concepts, fostering a more engaging and effective
learning process.
Interactive Support: ChatGPT serves as a virtual
tutor that is available round the clock. It can assist
students in resolving queries, clarifying doubts, and
guiding them through complex topics. This interactive
support system enables students to receive immediate
assistance, enhancing their comprehension and
problem-solving abilities in biology.
Enriched Learning Resources: ChatGPT can act
as a vast repository of biology-related information and
resources. It can provide access to a wide range of
study materials, research articles, and multimedia
content, enabling students to explore additional
learning resources beyond the traditional classroom
setting. This availability of enriched resources can
stimulate curiosity and encourage students to delve
deeper into the subject.
Enhanced Teacher Support: ChatGPT can
support biology teachers by providing them with
valuable resources and insights. Teachers can use
ChatGPT to access lesson plans, generate interactive
activities, and design assessments. Moreover,
ChatGPT can assist in grading assignments, thereby
reducing teachers' administrative workload and
allowing them to focus more on instructional planning
and individual student support.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Engaging
with ChatGPT encourages students to think critically
and analytically. By posing challenging questions and
stimulating discussions, ChatGPT can foster higher-
order thinking skills. Students can learn to evaluate
information, formulate hypotheses, and engage in
scientific reasoning, thereby developing essential
skills required for future scientific endeavors.
Overcoming Language Barriers: For students
who face language barriers or struggle with scientific
terminology, ChatGPT can provide support by
offering translations and simplifying complex
language. This feature enables a more inclusive and
accessible learning environment, ensuring that all
students can actively participate in biology education.
Collaboration and Peer Learning: ChatGPT can
facilitate collaborative learning among students. It can
promote group discussions, encourage peer-to-peer
interactions, and facilitate knowledge sharing.
Students can collaborate on biology projects,
exchange ideas, and collectively solve problems,
fostering a cooperative and supportive learning
community.
The potential of ChatGPT in biology learning and
teaching at Vietnamese high schools is immense. By
harnessing the capabilities of AI, educators can
provide personalized learning experiences, interactive
support, and enriched resources to students.
Furthermore, ChatGPT can empower teachers by
offering valuable insights and reducing administrative
burdens. As Vietnamese high schools embrace AI
technologies, further research and implementation
4
efforts are necessary to optimize the integration of
ChatGPT into the biology curriculum and ensure its
long-term effectiveness in improving student
outcomes.
IV. Conclusion
This paper shows that ChatGPT has promising
potential in biology teaching and learning at
Vietnamese high schools. Its consistent performance
in the Vietnamese national high school graduation
examination, along with its superiority over the scores
achieved by Vietnamese students, indicates its value
as an educational tool. By leveraging the capabilities
of ChatGPT, educators can enhance biology
education, providing students with personalized
learning experiences and fostering a deeper
understanding of the subject matter. This study
initiates research on the application of ChatGPT in
Vietnamese biology education, specifically focusing
on biology at the high school level. Future research
should focus on exploring the optimal integration of
ChatGPT in the Vietnamese high school curriculum
and assessing its long-term impact on student learning
outcomes.
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