Leveraging ChatGPT to Enhance Clarity in Nursing Education Communication
Leveraging ChatGPT to Enhance Clarity in Nursing Education Communication
Lufei Young
As a nursing faculty member whose first language is not English, I often face challenges when crafting announcements and assignment instructions for students in our learning management system, Canvas.
While I possess strong clinical knowledge and teaching skills, I occasionally struggle to convey complex ideas in precise and natural-sounding English. This can lead to misunderstandings, especially in online courses where students rely heavily on written communication for guidance.
To bridge this gap, I have incorporated ChatGPT as a professional tool to help refine and clarify my written messages. This has not only improved the quality of my communications but has also enhanced the learning experience for my students.
ChatGPT assists me in revising the tone, grammar, and structure of announcements and assignment instructions. For example, when I write an assignment prompt, I input my original version into ChatGPT and request suggestions to make it clearer and more
concise. The tool helps me rephrase long or complex sentences and ensure that key details are not lost in translation. By doing this, students receive directions that are easier to understand, reducing confusion and the number of clarification emails I
receive. This streamlines both their workflow and mine, allowing more time to focus on meaningful teaching and feedback.
One particular benefit of using ChatGPT is that it helps maintain a warm, supportive tone in my announcements—something that is important in nursing education. Instructors set the tone for the online classroom, and I want my messages to be welcoming and encouraging. ChatGPT helps me avoid unintended harshness or overly formal expressions that can occur when translating ideas from my native language to English. It offers suggestions for more conversational language, which fosters a more inclusive and approachable learning environment.
Moreover, using ChatGPT aligns with the principle of continuous improvement in nursing practice.
Just as we encourage students to use evidence-based tools in clinical settings, ChatGPT offers a pedagogical aid that supports my professional growth. It empowers me to communicate more effectively and confidently, which is especially important when teaching a diverse group of students who may also come from multilingual backgrounds.
It is important to note that I use ChatGPT as a support tool—not a replacement for my own voice or teaching. I always review the suggested edits to ensure they reflect my teaching style, course objectives, and cultural context. I also remain mindful of the need for academic integrity and clarity in grading expectations.
In conclusion, integrating ChatGPT into my teaching practice has significantly enhanced the clarity and tone of my written communication in Canvas. It has helped bridge language barriers, reduced student confusion, and allowed me to express my knowledge more effectively. As a non-native English speaker and nursing educator, I find that tools like ChatGPT not only support my own development but ultimately lead to a better learning experience for my students.