The Rise of AI Tools in Education
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by students has forced schools to reassess what constitutes cheating. With AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, students can easily outsource their schoolwork, making traditional teaching and assessment methods obsolete.
The Prevalence of AI Use Among Students
According to educators, the use of AI has become rampant, with many students relying on chatbots to complete their assignments. "The cheating is off the charts. It’s the worst I’ve seen in my entire career," says Casey Cuny, an English teacher with 23 years of experience. Cuny notes that any assignment given to students outside of the classroom is likely to be completed with the help of AI. "Anything you send home, you have to assume is being AI’ed," he says.
Redefining Cheating in the Age of AI
The widespread use of AI has blurred the lines of what constitutes academic dishonesty. "We have to ask ourselves, what is cheating?" says Cuny. "Because I think the lines are getting blurred." To address this issue, educators are adapting their teaching methods to incorporate AI in a way that promotes learning rather than cheating. Cuny, for example, has his students do most of their writing in class, where he can monitor their laptop screens and block access to certain websites.
New Teaching Methods and Assessment Tools
In response to the rise of AI, educators are exploring new teaching methods and assessment tools. Kelly Gibson, a high school teacher in rural Oregon, has shifted to in-class writing and verbal assessments to evaluate her students’ understanding of assigned reading. "I used to give a writing prompt and say, ‘In two weeks, I want a five-paragraph essay,’" says Gibson. "These days, I can’t do that. That’s almost begging teenagers to cheat." Instead, she has her students engage in class discussions and presentations to demonstrate their knowledge.
Student Uncertainty About AI Use
Students are often uncertain about when AI use is acceptable and when it crosses the line into cheating. College sophomore Lily Brown uses ChatGPT to help her outline essays and summarize reading assignments, but she wonders if this constitutes cheating. "Sometimes I feel bad using ChatGPT to summarize reading, because I wonder, is this cheating? Is helping me form outlines cheating? If I write an essay in my own words and ask how to improve it, or when it starts to edit my essay, is that cheating?" she says.
Variability in AI Policies
Schools often leave AI policies to individual teachers, resulting in varying rules and guidelines. Some educators allow students to use AI-powered writing tools like Grammarly, while others prohibit them. This lack of consistency can confuse students, who may not know what is expected of them. "Whether you can use AI or not depends on each classroom. That can get confusing," says Valencia 11th grader Jolie Lahey.
Introducing AI Literacy and Guidelines
In response to the challenges posed by AI, schools are introducing guidelines and promoting AI literacy. The University of California, Berkeley, for example, has provided faculty with new instructions on how to address AI use in their courses. The university’s guidance includes sample syllabus statements that clarify expectations around AI use. Carnegie Mellon University has also developed new guidelines to help students and faculty navigate the use of AI in academic work.
Conclusion
The rise of AI tools has forced schools to reassess their approach to teaching and assessment. As AI technology continues to evolve, educators must find ways to balance its benefits with its risks and challenges. By promoting AI literacy and introducing clear guidelines, schools can help students use AI in a way that enhances their learning experience rather than undermining academic integrity.
FAQs
Q: What is the impact of AI on traditional teaching methods?
A: The increasing use of AI has made traditional teaching methods obsolete, as students can easily outsource their schoolwork to chatbots.
Q: How are educators adapting to the rise of AI?
A: Educators are adapting their teaching methods to incorporate AI in a way that promotes learning rather than cheating, such as doing most writing in class and using verbal assessments.
Q: What is AI literacy, and why is it important?
A: AI literacy refers to the ability to understand and use AI in a way that enhances learning and avoids academic dishonesty. It is essential for students to develop AI literacy skills to navigate the complexities of AI use in academic work.
Q: How can schools promote AI literacy and prevent cheating?
A: Schools can promote AI literacy by introducing clear guidelines, providing faculty with training and resources, and encouraging students to use AI in a way that enhances their learning experience.
