AI Chatbots in College: Cheating Crisis Sparks Educator Reforms
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in college classrooms has sparked a cheating crisis, forcing educators to rethink their teaching methods and assessment strategies. AI chatbots like ChatGPT have become the go-to source for students looking to cheat on assignments and tests. While educators recognize the potential of technology to enhance teaching and learning, they are now focused on ChatGPT-proofing their assessments.
Some instructors are reverting to traditional paper exams after years of digital-only tests. To prevent cheating, professors may require students to submit their editing history and drafts to demonstrate their thought process. However, not all instructors are concerned, seeing cheating as an ongoing issue with new options continuously emerging.
AI-generated chatbots, including ChatGPT that was launched in November, have raised critical questions for educators. One pressing challenge revolves around the reliability of AI detectors. Stephanie Laggini Fiore, associate vice provost at Temple University, says current plagiarism detection services like Turnitin are still incredibly inaccurate in identifying chatbot-generated text, particularly hybrid work.
Another concern is the potential for false accusations of AI-powered cheating. Last semester at Texas A&M, a professor wrongly accused an entire class of using ChatGPT on their final assignments. This incident highlights the difficulty in confirming if a student has dishonestly utilized an AI chatbot. Unlike traditional plagiarism, AI-generated text is unique each time, making detection nearly impossible.
Writing professors, like Timothy Main from Conestoga College in Canada, have experienced a surge in AI cheating cases. Main reported a significant increase in the number of academic integrity issues, with AI cheating accounting for about half of them. In response, he and colleagues are revamping their required freshman writing course to include more personalized assignments that encourage students to write about their own experiences, opinions, and perspectives. Strict rules against using artificial intelligence will be implemented.
To address the impact of chatbots on studying habits and information seeking, institutions have been urging professors to clarify the rules. Chegg Inc., an online homework help platform often involved in cheating cases, witnessed a drop in users after the emergence of ChatGPT. Temple University also reported a decline in the utilization of research tools among students. This shift towards chatbot shortcuts raises concerns about the accuracy of information retrieved and the potential loss of valuable learning experiences.
As a result of these challenges, educators are looking for innovative ways to modify their assessments and policies. At Michigan State University, faculty members are provided with a library of statements to shape their syllabi and assignments accordingly. Bill Hart-Davidson, an associate dean at MSU, suggests rephrasing questions to prevent ChatGPT from providing perfect answers. Instead, instructors can introduce errors in descriptions and ask students to identify and correct them.
The impact of AI chatbots in college extends beyond the realm of academic integrity. The ongoing debate about when it is acceptable to use AI tools demonstrates confusion among students. While some argue that utilizing chatbots for homework assistance is similar to seeking help from other online platforms, educators worry about the potential consequences of skipping crucial steps in the learning process.
To combat AI cheating, colleges and universities are considering a return to paper-based tests. Bonnie MacKellar, a computer science professor at St. John’s University, states that the discipline already faces a significant plagiarism problem, and the shortcuts offered by chatbots further undermine the development of necessary skills for upper-level classes. This fall, MacKellar plans to require students to handwrite their code and place greater emphasis on paper exams.
Nathan LeVang, a sophomore at Arizona State University, now runs his assignments through an AI detector to avoid any accusations of cheating. LeVang’s precautionary measures highlight the climate of paranoia that students may experience due to the presence of AI chatbots like ChatGPT.
As colleges and universities grapple with the challenges brought about by AI-powered cheating, educators, and administrators strive to strike a balance between embracing technological advancements and maintaining academic integrity. The ongoing reforms seek to protect the integrity of assessments while promoting authentic learning experiences and critical thinking skills among students.
