The world is rapidly changing thanks to the advent of new and ever-changing technologies. New technologies often have the double effect of enhancing our life and work, but technology also causes challenges.
One of the newest technologies that we are all just now learning how to best utilize is AI. New apps like Chatgpt have opened up new possibilities for many. While we are still coming to understand all the capabilities, and uses for this new exciting technology, we have to be aware that this type of technology does make it easier for students to engage in academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty comes in many forms. Copying off of a partner’s paper, bringing a cheat sheet to an exam, and plagiarism have often been common forms of academic dishonesty. Most of us are familiar with those examples. The reason Academic dishonesty is so problematic is that when a pupil engages in these dishonest practices it becomes almost impossible to discern what a student can actually do and not do.
Students may be tempted to use AI to complete school work. For example, students can now simply type an essay topic into an AI application. Students can even ask the application to “dumb it down” to help evade detection. For example, a student can ask AI to generate an essay on the “Causes of the American Revolution in the style of an 8th grader.”
Students who use AI to complete their school are guilty of academic dishonesty. If caught, these students will be treated as though they cheated on an assignment. By using AI or similar apps, students prevent teachers from properly assessing the student’s proper level.
In time, AI might become a student and teacher’s best friend. But at this time, we want to ensure our students complete their work honestly, and to the best of THEIR abilities, not the abilities of some AI application.
