Educators are facing a new challenge as artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT have become the go-to source for cheating in college. The rise of AI-generated chatbots has forced educators to rethink how they teach courses and assess students. While they want to embrace the technology’s potential to enhance teaching and learning, they also need to find ways to “ChatGPT-proof” test questions and assignments.
Instructors are taking different approaches to address the issue. Some are returning to paper exams, while others are asking students to show editing history and drafts to prove their thought process. However, identifying if a student has used an AI-powered chatbot dishonestly is nearly impossible, as AI-generated text is unique each time.
The emergence of chatbots has led to an explosion of academic dishonesty cases, with AI cheating accounting for about half of the issues. As a result, educators are overhauling their courses and implementing stricter rules forbidding the use of artificial intelligence. They are also urging instructors to clearly communicate these ground rules to students.
There are concerns about the reliability of AI detectors and the potential for false accusations. Plagiarism detection services have been found to be inaccurate, and there have been cases where students were wrongly accused of using chatbots.
The use of chatbots has also changed students’ study habits. Some online platforms offering homework help have reported a significant decline in usage due to the spike in student usage of AI platforms like ChatGPT. Students are finding shortcuts to find information quickly, even though chatbots are prone to making things up.
Educators are worried that students are missing out on important skills by relying on chatbots. They believe there will be a shift back to paper-based tests and are overhauling their courses to focus on personalized assignments that encourage students to express their own experiences, opinions, and perspectives.
However, some students find the use of AI confusing. They believe using AI to assist with certain homework is no different from using other online resources. There is a need for clarity on when it is appropriate to use AI and when it becomes cheating.
In conclusion, the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT has presented a significant challenge for educators. While they see the potential benefits of AI in teaching and learning, they are grappling with the need to prevent cheating and ensure students are acquiring essential skills. The use of AI detectors, stricter rules, and a shift towards paper-based tests are some of the ways educators are responding to this challenge.
