As technology grows more relevant in our modern world, so does the presence of artificial intelligence. The term ‘AI’ was first coined in the 1950s when computers started becoming more accessible. Since then, AI has become widely researched and more integrated into modern society.
As AI infiltrates numerous aspects of many people’s lives, it’s also worked its way into schools. This new tool comes with both benefits and drawbacks, but one of the rising concerns many teachers are facing is the rise of plagiarism.
“I define plagiarism as using anything that isn’t your own idea and claiming it as your own and AI plagiarism is achieving the same thing as the copy-paste technique,” said Sisters High School English teacher Brittney Hilgers.
As AI-based websites such as ChatGPT become more accessible by students through phones or personal computers, the urge to find an “easy” way out of a large homework load increases. Most of this misuse occurs in essays for classes such as English or history, where AI can create a convincing answer to the prompt given.
As a result, this growing pattern has had a considerable effect on the way schoolwork is analyzed by teachers and how classes are carried out.
“I’m trying to be more creative with my assignments where, yes, you have a thesis but [you] also have something you can’t AI such as personal connections,” said Hilgers.
Teachers at SHS noticed an AI usage peak in the spring of 2024, leading a group of SHS educators to take an AI training course on the risks and benefits of the tool.
“A goal for me is teaching students how to think, not what to think,” says SHS History teacher Gail Greaney, “and AI only works if you have a base level of knowledge, which is where we see it’s only helpful if you evaluate it,” said Greaney.
The idea of AI being helpful if you have a certain quantity of understanding on a topic is vital in weeding out students who plagiarize their work. Teachers describe being able to usually tell when students are using AI because of small mistakes that go unnoticed or the wording used.
“The difficult part is getting students to confess if the AI detecting system doesn’t flag the work. I’ve had many instances where there were students that weren’t detected and they lie about it when confronted,” said Hilgers.
Looking at this growing dilemma, it’s easy to pick one side to stand by. However, research shows that while AI has many negative effects in the classroom, it can also enhance student experiences.
Artificial intelligence is able to personalize student learning. By analyzing student performance data, AI-powered tools can determine which students need support to improve their learning experience, and the best way to help those students, in a study done by Walden University.
AI exists as both a powerful tool and a detrimental source of information. Learning how to thoughtfully and morally use Artificial Intelligence can make or break your assignments, and more importantly, how well you learn.