For this week’s blog post I wanted to connect to our discussions about technology from class this Monday! Specifically, I was interested in AI usage in the classroom and some benefits and drawbacks of it for teachers and students alike. This article discusses that!
https://www.edweek.org/technology/more-teachers-are-using-ai-detection-tools-heres-why-that-might-be-a-problem/2024/04
As generative AI usage has increased in classrooms, a majority of teachers have begun to use AI detection software, which while helpful, is not always completely accurate. Teachers have begun to punish students and whole classes for using generative AI because it came up in their detection software, even sometimes when it was not actually used.
8 in 10 teachers says their school has a policy for the usage of generative AI in the classroom, and 73% of teachers say that their school is doing a good job with the monitoring of AI. This is a positive sign, and can be built on in the future. However, to quote from the article,
- “Twenty-eight percent of teachers said they have received guidance on how to respond if they think a student is using ChatGPT;
- Thirty-seven percent said they have received guidance on what responsible student use of generative AI technologies looks like;
- Thirty-seven percent also say they have not received guidance on how to detect whether students are using generative AI in their school assignments;
- And 78 percent said their school sanctions the use of AI detection tools.”
This can lead to a lack of trust in their students’ work, and lead to harsher grading, and even false positives on AI detection tests that could frighten students, or give them punishment for actions they did not do.
What are your thought about AI usage in the classroom? Should it be completely banned, or should it be allowed for specific usages? Is there anything you would suggest for teachers detecting and grading with the new issue of AI generated work? What experiences have you had with generative AI in your classes, or if you are currently teaching, in your schools?
Hi, Tess! I love that you used this opportunity to connect our content to such a trending topic right now. It is easy to say AI should be banned in a classroom setting given the uncertainties it raises overall. However, given the fact that it is a technology students will encounter outside of school, they need to learn how to use it and should encounter it at some point in their education for that reason. I took Technology-Enhanced Instruction last semester and we spent a lot of time talking about and using generative AI. On the teacher side, we talked a lot about simple tasks (ex: making a seating chart for you) and prompt engineering for more complicated tasks (ex: making a grading rubric). There was a lot of appeal to generative AI for things like this, as long as you know how to utilize the tool for the most benefit, acknowledging where it might fall short, and editing when necessary. On the student side, it was a little more tricky. Students need to learn certain skills through assignments that using generative AI would prevent. Just because you want students to learn prompt engineering with generative AI and to gain a comfort level around the technology does not mean we can overlook learning to write more complex papers, for example. I think you ultimately have to decide from assignment to assignment what you want your students to gain from completing the assignment and if generative AI really fits into that puzzle. And like all technology, staying current yourself is a key to your student’s success as well.
Hi Tess! AI is such an interesting topic since it is so new to all of us. I actually am not sure what I would limit with AI in the classroom but I do think it may be unneccesary for a younger classroom. AI can take the creativity and critical thinking out of a lot of children if used as a clutch to get through assignments. Since I only started using AI in college, I will say the only time I ever use it is to make an outline for my papers which has helped me start papers alot easier. I always struggle with writing a paper and always want to write an outline but sometimes get stuck on what to include. ChatGPT allows me to put in the prompt along with the sections I want to create and creates an outline for me to follow. This allows me to still write creatively and with my own opinion but with the help of some structure. I think this should only be used in college with the idea that we all use it responsibly, most of the time college kids WANT to be there and learn but in terms of using it for grade school, I think too many people would use it to cheat and take advantage of the system. I think there could be ways to incorporate it into a classroom if closely monitored but not to be used for “original work”
Hey Tess, AI is such an interesting topic to discuss! While I am still kind of confused on AI and all that comes with it, it is to my knowledge that AI is used to help assist in problem-solving and achieving a specific goal. I also know that students can use AI to help complete schoolwork. The purpose of AI sounds like it would be extremely helpful but I think with the generations that are in grade school it does more harm than good. Due to COVID and quarantine, many students fell extremely behind in their academics. It has gotten so bad that are students in middle and high school that still cannot read nor have knowledge of the foundations of math. Therefore, it is just not realistic to think that these students can be brought up to grade level in one school year. With being said, the students that are not on grade level get insecure/uncomfortable about asking for help so they don’t. When it is time to complete an assignment, they cant do it alone and refuse to ask for help so they end up cheating which is where AI comes in. An AI could write an entire assignment for a student and if you just change up a couple words, the teacher would probably never find out. This will only keep bringing the student further and further behind in their schoolwork. So no, in that specific scenario I am not a fan of AI. But on the other hand, I know that this generation is heavily dependent on technology and that the education system must constantly change to fit the needs of the current generation or society. Maybe, AI could be modified or the usage could be a little strict. I do not really know because I have nothing from history to use as an example to help persuade me other than the fact that technology was not even a factor for someone like my grandma when she was in school and I think that generation turned out pretty fine without it.
Hi Tess, I think this is a great topic to discuss especially due to its increasing relevance in today’s society. I think that the increasing use of generative AI in classrooms presents both opportunities and challenges for educators. While AI technologies can enhance learning experiences and offer valuable tools for student engagement and creativity, the potential for misuse and the limitations of AI detection software raise important considerations for educators.
Completely banning AI from classrooms may not be feasible or desirable, as it can limit access to innovative learning resources and hinder students’ exposure to emerging technologies. Ideally, schools should develop clear guidelines and policies for responsible AI usage, teachers could receive comprehensive training and guidance on how to effectively detect, assess, and respond to AI-generated content. This includes understanding concepts like the capabilities and limitations of AI detection tools but all in all this is not feasible for schools to be able to make this happen for all teachers and it is not likely it is an easy skill for teachers to learn and would depend on each individual’s previous knowledge and experience with technology. I think that a culture of trust and open communication between teachers and students is key for addressing concerns related to AI usage and maintaining academic integrity in the classroom but I think that there is not yet a way that I can think of to manage the possibility especially as AI is a continually evolving sector.
Hi Tess, excellent post; even in college, this post (unfortunately) points to a significant problem. I think the use of Generative AI, like most things of this nature, is a double-edged sword. There are negatives and positives, and it is essential to consider both when deciding how to proceed best.
Students can undoubtedly use Generative AI positively, such as to Grammar check their work or suggest sources for them. However, due to its growing power, it can also write papers and analyze complex passages, leaving students heavily relying on it and not their brains. Students are getting to college and are unable to analyze passages or solve math problems on their own just because using AI can be so easily covered up. I think teachers need to be clear in their expectations for students, and if a case of improper AI usage can be reasonably inferred, punishments need to be sanctioned. I also think that teachers should gather samples of students’ past work where AI cannot be used, like tests and quizzes, and gauge anything they suspect of being AI based on that.