Having the Talk: Unauthorized AI Use at the Dawn of the AI Era
Maybe you’ve talked to your students about AI from day one of the semester, clarifying acceptable use in your course. Still, you suspect that a student in your class has used AI in ways that you have not permitted. Talking to the student under these circumstances is absolutely necessary.
How we approach this discussion matters. Given that higher education and society as a whole are still working through the ramifications of these technologies, old models based upon how we deal with plagiarism and other forms of student misconduct may not apply. The all too common underlying metaphor is one of policing, where we play the cop and treat students like criminals. This approach will only inhibit our ability to adapt and grow in this new learning environment.
Instead, consider focusing on how you can turn the unauthorized use of AI into an opportunity for both you and the student to learn and grow. A calm, honest conversation about why and how the student used AI tools can provide you with insight into how the student perceives both the AI tools and your course. This information is far more valuable than any satisfaction to be gained by busting the student. So instead of playing gotcha with the student, seek answers to the following questions:
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In this early period of AI adoption, this information is crucial to you and your colleagues. Better to grant wide leniency and gain the inside scoop than punish a student for failing to navigate these new waters. Once the student has provided detailed answers to these questions, you can turn to addressing how you can help the student and what the student can do to document their learning without violating your guidelines. Try asking the student what they think they could do to fix the situation before you rush to apply some sort of penalty.
To follow up on any of these ideas, please contact me at fglazer@nyit.edu. This Weekly Teaching Note was adapted from a contribution to the Teaching and Learning Writing Consortium hosted at Western Kentucky University.
Contributor:
Jeff Rients
Associate Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation
Center for the Advancement of Teaching
Temple University