In the last few years, AI has begun to affect classrooms across the world, bringing new tools such as Chat GPT and Snapchat AI. While these programs can be used to assist the classroom, they also bring an easier way to cheat for many students. Don’t have time to write your essay? Chat GPT will do it. Need some quick Chemistry answers? Snapchat AI will do the work for you. Although teachers have utilized software to combat cheating through AI, students are constantly finding new, undetectable platforms.
Below, I spoke to many different teachers who, although they have different teaching styles and classroom rules, have experience dealing with AI cheating and helping students walk through the consequences. Denise Picard is the AP Psychology teacher for juniors and seniors, Chris Haskett is the AP Language and English 4 teacher for juniors and seniors, and Andy Evans teaches English Honors for freshmen, AP Literature for seniors, and is the Journalism advisor for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Chat GPT also answered all applicable questions on the believed impact it will have on students.
How often do you have to deal with students cheating using AI?
Picard: I am a tech-free classroom, so not often. I never do homework or classwork in a way that would make it easy to cheat using AI, so that’s not a problem I have to deal with.
Haskett: So far this year, zero. In the past, a few times.
Chat GPT: The prevalence of students cheating using AI can vary significantly depending on factors like the educational institution, the level of monitoring, and the specific type of AI technology involved. However, it’s clear that AI tools, including language models like me, have made it easier for some students to engage in dishonest practices.
Do you think that AI (such as Chat GPT) should be banned in schools?
Picard: No, because I think there are great uses for it. It’s a great tool. I think the reason that it should not be banned is because schools should be a place to teach students how to use AI appropriately.
Haskett: It depends on the subject and the student’s level. Before a student should be using AI they should already know to write. Because writing is thinking, and if you never learn how to write you will never learn how to think, and someone else will do the thinking for you. It’s imperative that students still learn how to have their own thoughts. Just like in math how at first you learn the math and then you get a calculator, the same is with AI and writing.
Evans: No. I think if somebody masters knowledge then they can use AI to build upon that knowledge. For example, if I have a theme for a novel I understand, I can get more ideas from AI.
Chat GPT: Banning AI tools like ChatGPT in schools is a debated issue. While some argue it could reduce cheating and dependency, others believe AI can enhance learning and prepare students for future tech. A balanced approach might be best: setting clear guidelines, educating on responsible use, and monitoring how AI is used to support rather than replace learning.
Was cheating easier to combat before the use of AI?
Picard: For me, no difference. For other teachers, especially English, yes. In general, students cheat more out of desperation than laziness, so when there’s a big essay or project due, sometimes students’ stress levels lead them to cheat.
Haskett: Absolutely. Because there is no true detector of AI. All of the detectors are flawed.
Evans: It’s about the same.
Chat GPT: Cheating has always been a challenge in education, but AI tools like ChatGPT have introduced new methods and opportunities for academic dishonesty. While it’s difficult to quantify precisely, the ease of accessing AI for tasks like writing and problem-solving has likely increased the potential for cheating. Historically, cheating occurred with methods like copying from textbooks or peers, but AI has added a new dimension that schools need to address with updated policies and monitoring.
What consequences do you use on students cheating with AI?
Picard: It hasn’t happened in my classroom, but in general with cheating in my classroom the student just gets a zero on that assignment and I have a chat with them on why they made that choice.
Haskett: It depends on the kid because some genuinely think that it’s okay and that they are using it as a tool. So I have to explain that they have to develop their writing skill. So for them, it’s a point of learning and a lesson. Other kids are doing it out of laziness and I need to talk to their parents.
Evans: The Westmont Cheating Policy.
Do you think that AI is taking away students’ creativity?
Picard: Absolutely. Humans learn through struggling, and AI is taking away the struggle aspect of learning. Another thing is that creativity is a skill that you can build, so people who aren’t naturally creative think that they need to resort to cheating even though that is not true.
Haskett: It’s yet another tool, so hopefully it will be enabling them to be even more creative once they learn how to use it and once they learn how to write and think.
Evans: For those that are lazy, yes.
Chat GPT: AI can stifle students’ creativity by encouraging over-reliance and reducing personal effort in generating ideas, potentially leading to less original thinking.