It is important to note that any information entered into ChatGPT will be used by OpenAI to train its language models. The data collected through ChatGPT may also be shared with third-party vendors, law enforcement, affiliates, and other users, as stated in the privacy policy. It is worth mentioning that ChatGPT is not intended for use by children under 13 years old, as this violates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule.
According to the End-User License Agreement, users must be at least 13 years old to use ChatGPT, and those under 18 years old must have parental or legal guardian permission. Although users can request to have their ChatGPT accounts deleted, any prompts that have been entered cannot be deleted. Therefore, if sensitive or controversial topics are discussed, the data cannot be removed.
There is no AI detection service that can definitively determine whether content was generated using artificial intelligence
The current suite of AI plagiarism detectors only flag content that might have been generated by AI and will often flag content with false positives and negatives. There are many ways to edit and format the text as a way to "get around" the plagiarism detectors as well (see AI Plagiarism tab for more details).
Be on the lookout for signs of AI plagiarism
- does the student change their writing style from one assignment to the next? Does their "voice" change?
- Grammatically "perfect" English could be a sign of AI plagiarism (or a student using spell check proficiently)
- "feels" off or wrong
Be mindful before accusing student of AI plagiarism
If you think a student has plagiarized with AI, note that there is no surefire way to be 100% certain of the plagiarism in most circumstances. Be wary of accusing a student of plagiarism simply because a plagiarism checker came back with a positive reading on a text.
Accusing a student of AI plagiarism when they did not commit it can have significant downsides. First, it may create a lack of trust between the student and the instructor, as the student may feel unfairly accused. This lack of trust can erode the relationship between the two and negatively impact the student's academic experience.
Secondly, being accused of cheating when one did not do so can lead to a lack of motivation to keep working. The student may feel demotivated to put in effort if they feel that their hard work is not being recognized and that they are being unfairly punished.
Lastly, false accusations of AI plagiarism can undermine the student's faith in the entire academic process. They may begin to question the validity and fairness of the assessment methods used in the course, which can have long-term consequences for their academic success. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider all evidence before making an accusation of AI plagiarism and to handle any such situations with sensitivity and care.
Rather than outright banning this technology in the classroom and opting for traditional methods such as handwritten essays and oral exams, it may be beneficial to explore how this tool can help you reimagine the way you teach and your students learn. It's worth considering that traditional methods can create more anxiety for students and can be more challenging for disabled students, and that technology can provide an alternative approach that caters to a wider range of learners.
Generative AI language models like ChatGPT offer incredible potential to enhance learning in college classrooms. Faculty can use this technology as a tool to teach essential information literacy skills that are so critical in today's world. Students can learn how to assess the credibility of sources and critically evaluate the accuracy of the information presented.
Moreover, ChatGPT can be used to generate text that students can critique and improve upon. Different models can be compared and contrasted, helping students develop their analytical and evaluative skills. Additionally, requiring student reflection on each step of the process encourages metacognition and enhances the learning experience.
Using ChatGPT in the classroom can foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among students. This technology can prepare them to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. There are many ways that faculty embrace this powerful technology and explore the ways in which it can be used to enhance teaching and enrich the learning experiences of students.
Below are some tips and ideas for how faculty can adapt their courses and assignments with ChatGPT in mind.
Update syllabus:
- Check out the Sentient Syllabus Project for potential language you might use in your syllabus about ChatGPT.
- Read Update Your Course Syllabus for ChatGPT written by Prof. Ryan Watkins from GW University.
Utilize extrinsic to intrinsic motivation:
- Students are more likely to cheat when “the class reinforces extrinsic (i.e., grades), not intrinsic (i.e. learning), goals.” (UC San Diego, 2020).
Connect assignment prompts deeply to in-class discussions and activities:
- AI language models do not have access to your course content, so requiring mention of topics or ideas specific to your class negates the value of AI-generated content.
Require multiple drafts:
- Have students work during class to revise and improve on their initial draft. Even if students used AI-generated content on sections of their first draft, they will be invested and be forced to engage in the revision process for the second draft.
Break down assignments into multiple process-focused steps:
- when you break down the assignment into multiple steps that focus on each part of the writing process, this forces the student to more directly engage with the writing process even if they attempted to use generative AI to complete the assignments
- Also require student reflection during each step of the writing process.
Encourage primary research, where applicable:
- This requires the student to engage with materials not on the internet (interviews, reviews of hands-on materials, etc.)
Engage Students in critiquing and evaluating ChatGPT responses:
- Have students analyze, provide feedback and reflection on, and even grade text produced by the language model.
Help students build information literacy skills:
- ask students to research claims generated by ChatGPT to see if it is correct about the claims that it is making.
Have students use ChatGPT as writing tool:
- Have students use ChatGPT as a creative writing tool. Students can then submit reflections on the writing process both using ChatGPT and when not using ChatGPT and reflect on the limitations of the software and its ethical applications.
Portions of this tab were adapted from the "ChatGPT & Education" slide deck that was developed by the Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library at Trinity Christian College and ChatGPT in Your Classroom Libguide by Atticus Garrison at Blackhawk College.