Skip to main content

ChatGPT & Academic Integrity


 

The edu-sphere is abuzz with the potential of ChatGPT, both for good and for evil. How should teachers and schools react? 

If in the madness of teaching during the holiday season, you missed the coverage of the new chatbot that writes a variety of genres, including essays, lesson plans, and even computer code, you can read more here and here

I concur with Matt Miller and others that blocking access to one chatbot is an exercise in futility. For one, filters likely only work on campus networks. Moreover, more chatbot tools will likely emerge as the technology grows in popularity. It would be a waste of manpower to try to keep up with all of them. 

What can teachers do, then, but embrace the potential? Embrace, also, the responsibility to incorporate education and model best practices.

For instance, MLA and other style guides provide guidelines for citing the outputs of chatbots and other AI tools. Did you use ChatGPT to generate that stellar parent-teacher conference letter like this? Be sure to give credit to your source. OpenAI provides guidance for ChatGPT specifically as well. 

Schools, programs, and teachers should also educate students in appropriate and inappropriate uses for all forms of AI. Teachers and content developers should also continue to design courses thoughtfully, so that not only are answers not easily google-able, but they also are not easily AI-generated. Ask students to reflect on personal experiences in writing essays. This will not only foil the knowledge of the chatbot, but also make the learning "stickier" for the student. 

If you suspect a student used an AI tool, start a conversation. Since these tools are new, seize this as a teaching moment and not necessarily as a time for harsh consequences. Likely, this will necessitate a live conference by phone or video, as the tone is often lost in an email. First, confirm the tool used and remain positive about the student's use of available tools. Give the student information about how to use AI to generate ideas, and how to translate those ideas into their own work, just as they would do during the research steps of any project. Finally, share the proper way to cite AI sources. 

While chatbots and AI are not a part of the world in which I prepared to become an educator, they will always be a part of the world in which my students live. A well-rounded education will prepare them to thrive in this world. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why I’m Not “Just” an Online Teacher: The Reality of Teaching in the Digital Age

Every now and then, someone refers to me as "just an online teacher." It might be said with curiosity, confusion, or even subtle dismissal. It’s a phrase that seems small, like my work is somehow less than what happens in a traditional classroom. But here’s the truth: I’m not just an online teacher. I am an ONLINE Teacher. I remember a quote about Ginger Rogers that says she "did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels." Online teachers do everything but on a computer and in a different location from their students.  Online Teaching Is Real Teaching Let’s get this out of the way: online teaching isn’t easier, simpler, or less demanding than face-to-face teaching. It’s not an escape hatch from “real” education. In fact, it often requires more intentional planning, more data-driven decision-making, and more individualization to meet student needs. I don’t just post assignments and hope for the best. I analyze engagement data, craft personali...

Using AI? Student Facing Graphic

 

Student Conferences: Maximize the Value of Conference Time

Conferences can be hard. You have: determined which students need support. communicated, usually multiple times, in order to find a time to meet. held a conference with parents/students/other staff. Now what? First, setting the conference up for success is important.  See my previous post on managing virtual parent/teacher conferences.  During the conference, keep the goal in mind. SMART goals, that is. With as much student input as possible, set a short-term goal that is measurable.  Next, consider these tips to ensure you get the most return on your efforts to meet with students. 1. Manage Your Communication.  Where possible, you want to build relationships with students. You do this by tracking previous conversations so that each meeting feels like a continuation of the relationship. I use several Google tools to manage my communication with students and families. Google Sheets: I use a Google Sheet to keep a list of my students. I use this list to email students ...