Just this week, Turnitin, a well-known education software company, activated a new AI detection capability in its plagiarism detection tool.
If you haven't heard of Turnitin. It's a company founded in 1998 that serves academic institutions worldwide, incuding more than 10,000 schools, colleges, and universities. Their tools help educators identify plagiarism, provide feedback on student work, and foster academic integrity.
The introduction of this new technology to detect AI-generated content immediately raised concerns for me. As a mother of two young men, I can't help but question the idea of deterring or punishing students who are resourceful and, in my mind, learning a hugely important skill of how to enter a good prompt.
However, I also understand that there are valid concerns about using AI tools like ChatGPT in education, including issues related to academic integrity, writing skills development, assessment fairness, authenticity of work, dependency on technology, and privacy and data concerns.
Moreover, the potential disparity in access to AI tools among students may lead to unfair advantages for some and exacerbate existing inequalities in educational outcomes. It's crucial for educators to be aware of these potential disparities and consider ways to level the playing field for all students.
Instead of outright discouraging the use of AI tools, I propose that educators and institutions should adapt their teaching strategies and assessment methods to address the evolving technological landscape while still prioritizing student growth, learning, and equal opportunities.
One potential solution is to have students present their learnings orally in front of their teacher or peers. This would allow educators to gauge a student's understanding of the subject matter while still allowing the use of AI tools like ChatGPT. Additionally, providing equal access to AI tools and resources, offering additional support to students who need it, or adapting assessment methods can help ensure fairness for all students, regardless of their access to AI tools.
Recently, Paul Roetzer, the Founder & CEO of Marketing AI Institute and Co-Author of Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing and the Future of Business, shared his thoughts on the potential issues surrounding AI writing detection tools like Turnitin in a LinkedIn post. Reading this is what triggered my blog.
Roetzer's concerns echo the need for caution in implementing unproven technology in educational settings, especially when it could negatively impact students' scores and futures.
In conclusion, striking a balance between leveraging AI tools for learning and ensuring that students still develop essential skills and maintain academic integrity is crucial. By being mindful of the potential challenges and adapting teaching and assessment strategies, educators can better prepare students for the future while fostering a fair and inclusive learning environment.
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I'm curious what you think. Looking for input from all you especially my teacher friends, other parents and your students. Please comment with your thoughts.
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