Shared by Stephanie Whalen, Academy Chair, English & Interdisciplinary Studies
With new advancements and applications of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, that can be used by students to generate anything from essays to original art and even solutions to complex math and science problems, there has been a lot of chatter among the faculty about what can be done to ensure students are learning as opposed to AI performing learning activities for them.
Although homework services have been available for quite some time that students could contract with along with other platforms students could search and even apps where students could scan problems and find and submit material that was not their own, AI generated work is causing greater concern.
What makes AI different? Like many other online resources, AI is currently free and widely available, but the way AI can generate original material from input the user provides may pose a greater threat as it could blur the lines on what constitutes cheating and plagiarism on assignments.
Although AI technology does pose some challenges for educators, its use may prompt us to be more transparent about how engaging in the learning experiences we have designed for students will benefit them as well as underscoring the value of doing one’s own work to develop understanding and skills. We may also be prompted to be more intentional about creating assignments that require students to demonstrate their learning in ways AI could not do the work for them.We may even find ways these tools can be utilized to support learning without crossing ethical lines. For example, AI could be promoted to students as a potential to assist those who have trouble with writing to gather ideas about how to express their thoughts, so long as they know any AI-generated passages should not be presented as one’s own work. Similarly, a science student may ask AI for help understanding and explaining a principle, but they should reference the source of any information they include that was put together by AI. These tools may seem to threaten education as we know it, but they may end up increasing our efforts to make the purpose and ways of engaging with learning clearer to student, thus increasing their perceived value, level of deep engagement, and motivation.
The following compilation of resources can serve as a way to learn more about tech tools and responses from a variety of disciplines so that we can continue to explore how AI might affect teaching and learning:
ChatGPT Resources for Faculty (Wakelet created by Janet Woods, Instructional Technology Coordinator)
- This Wakelet (a tool to gather, organize, and share multimedia resources) was created by Janet Woods, Instructional Technology Coordinator. It features ChatGPT resources for faculty including: What is ChatGPT?; ChatGPT in the News; Give ChatGPT a Try; and Ideas and Resources for ChatGPT Use in Education.
“Tips for Dealing with A.I. in the Classroom” (Article by Jennifer Lau-Bond, Coordinator of Library Instruction)
- Librarians have been helping both faculty and students cope with the challenges, temptations, and opportunities related to plagiarism for decades. The tips provided in this article were created by Coordinator of Library Instruction, Jennifer Lau-Bond, based on her experience in instructional design and helping faculty create effective research assignments.
AI, Chatbots, and Students (Video of a panel discussion hosted by Dr. Pearl Ratunil, English)
- Early in February 2023, Pearl Ratunil (English), Michael Horton (Philosophy), Michael Vanlandingham (Student Conduct), and Jen Lau-Bond (Library) met to discuss the impact of AI and chatbots in student writing. In this 15-minute video, the panelists focused on students who might be using AI and their perspective: What do we need to know about AI? Is it plagiarism? What happens if I use AI and am accused of plagiarizing? If I can use AI, how do I cite it? Is it bad? This interdisciplinary panel discussed AI from the student perspective and ponders the following question: Is it a good tool?
Harper College Library’s Teaching and ChatGPT Webpage (Webpage with resources from the Library)
- The Harper College Library has created a guide with resources and strategies for handling ChatGPT and other AI in the classroom.
Blackboard’s Response to ChatGPT and SafeAssign (Email from Blackboard with information and resources)
- Blackboard sent an email with information regarding ChatGPT and SafeAssign, including examples of how they are seeing educators embracing the disruptive nature of AI and changing the nature and approach to classroom activity and assessment.
Questions? Please fill out the Academy Request Form and an Academy team member will follow-up with you.