ChatGPT & Beyond: Revolutionizing homework or enabling cheating?

Artificial intelligence, Digital media, Teacher Education

Homework with just one click? Will ChatGPT and AI tools make cheating easier or is this the end of traditional homework as we know it?

2. May 2024

Ein Roboter sitzt neben einem Schüler und hilft bei den Hausaufgaben.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming many aspects of our daily lives, and education is no exception. AI tools such as ChatGPT are capable of composing text, answering questions, and even generating study plans and homework with a single click. This advancement raises important questions for educators, especially when it comes to homework and exams. Could ChatGPT mean the end of traditional homework?

AI tools belong in the classroom

Since its launch in November 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has dramatically reshaped several industries, including education. Despite initial concerns about privacy, AI inaccuracies, and numerous unresolved issues, recent state policies and recommendations from the Standing Scientific Commission have made one thing clear: ChatGPT and similar AI technologies are now essential tools for classroom integration. Understandably, these developments have left many educators feeling uncertain about the future of homework.

ChatGPT & homework = cheating?

The use of ChatGPT and other AI tools in homework continues to raise many questions, especially as some schools have yet to establish clear guidelines for the use of AI in assignments.

When it comes to whether using AI tools for homework constitutes cheating, the answer is nuanced: It depends. The appropriateness of using AI varies greatly depending on the nature of the assignment and the specifics of each case.

Clearly, students who simply type their homework assignment into an AI tool and copy the resulting text verbatim are engaging in behavior that could clearly be classified as cheating. To counter this, teachers might consider conducting oral exams to discuss the homework in detail and test the student’s understanding of the material.

Technically, no existing tool can definitively determine with 100% accuracy whether a text was generated by an AI. Although there are some products on the market, even OpenAI admits in its Education FAQ that AI detectors are not completely reliable (see this blog post for more details). However, teachers, who are often intimately familiar with their students’ work, can usually tell when submissions are mere copies of AI output rather than genuine student work.

Co-authoring homework with ChatGPT – cheating or independent work?

The situation becomes more complex when AI tools are used for homework, but students extensively modify the content by changing, expanding, condensing, and rewriting portions of the text. Even if the initial draft was AI-generated, this raises an important question: Does such extensive editing count as an individual contribution?

Legally, it is crucial to assess which element carries more weight: the AI-generated content or the personal changes made by the student. If only a few sentences were changed, the core of the text remains largely the work of the AI. However, significant revisions could tip the balance toward recognition of the student’s individual effort.

Webinar recording

The ABCs of AI – What Educators need to know

In this webinar recording, you will learn A- All about AI, B- The benefits of AI, and C- The concerns about AI in the classroom. Learn how AI and chatbots are impacting the classroom and exams, and how to prevent cheating.

Go to recording

In order for instructors to accurately assess the extent to which ChatGPT served as an inspiration or co-author in students’ work, it is essential that students transparently disclose their use of AI. This disclosure should include details about where AI tools were used, the specific prompts that were entered, the outputs generated by the AI, and how these outputs were subsequently modified by the student.

The exact format of such disclosures may vary from school to school and teacher to teacher. It will also be necessary to determine the level of detail required in these disclosures, including whether screenshots of AI-generated responses should be provided. This will help ensure clarity and maintain academic integrity in the assessment process.

AI tools for homework: The panacea?

Should AI tools be required for all homework and considered in every assignment? The short answer: No.
AI tools are undoubtedly becoming an integral part of our technological landscape, and it’s important for educators to recognize that students may use resources like ChatGPT for different assignments.

However, this doesn’t require a complete overhaul of existing assignment formats. Traditional methods of learning and assessment still have value and should remain viable options. It’s important to maintain a balanced approach that allows for learning both with and without the aid of AI tools.

It all depends on the task

Agreements on the permissible use of AI tools in the classroom should include provisions that allow teachers to identify specific tasks where the use of AI is either allowed or explicitly required. Effectively integrating AI into the classroom also means integrating it into assessment practices.

To illustrate this integration, some educators are using hybrid testing formats. In these environments, students first complete certain tasks using traditional methods, such as pen and paper, without digital tools. They then move on to additional tasks where the use of AI tools is permitted. This approach not only accommodates the evolving educational landscape, but also helps students navigate both traditional and modern learning methods.

To prevent students from using ChatGPT and similar AI tools to cheat, teachers can take several proactive steps to adapt their teaching strategies and homework assignments. These measures can help maintain academic integrity while also embracing the benefits of AI as a supplementary educational tool.

Strategies for Teachers to Mitigate AI Misuse in Homework

Promote Ethical Use of AI Tools:
- Education on AI Capabilities: Start by educating students about the capabilities and limitations of AI tools like ChatGPT. This understanding can foster responsible use.
- Clear Guidelines: Establish clear guidelines about how and when AI tools can be used, including the requirement for students to disclose any AI assistance in their submissions, similar to citing sources.
Adapt Homework Assignments:
- Beyond Screen Time: Ensure that not all homework relies on digital access or AI tools. Incorporate assignments that require hands-on activities, reflection, or personal interaction, which are less susceptible to AI completion.
- Local and Personalized Tasks: Design tasks that require specific local knowledge or personal input that AI cannot easily replicate, such as local history projects or personal reflection essays.
- Diverse Formats: Encourage students to express their understanding through various formats such as videos, podcasts, or physical models. This variety can reduce the feasibility of AI-generated text being the sole method of completion.
Integration of AI as a Learning Tool:
- Supervised AI Use: Incorporate AI tools into classroom activities where their use can be directly observed and guided by the teacher. This helps students learn to use AI responsibly and creatively.
- Collaborative Exploration: Work with students to explore the potential and limits of AI in educational settings. This collaborative approach can help demystify AI and integrate it transparently into learning processes.

Is ChatGPT the End of Traditional Homework?

The advent of AI like ChatGPT does not spell the end of homework but signals a need to rethink its purpose and execution. Homework should evolve to:

Foster Critical Thinking: Design assignments that require critical analysis and synthesis of information, skills that AI currently cannot replicate fully.
Promote Real-World Engagement: Encourage assignments that require students to engage with their environment or community, thus fostering skills and knowledge that are beyond the scope of AI.
Adapt to New Technologies: Continuously adapt homework practices to incorporate new technologies in a way that enhances learning without compromising academic integrity.

By taking these steps, teachers can help ensure that AI tools serve as aids to learning rather than means of cheating, fostering a learning environment that respects academic integrity while leveraging new technological tools for educational enhancement.

Transparency note: This text was created with the help of the fobizz AI tools.

Author: Michelle from fobizz

Michelle Schwaf studied German and history to become a secondary school teacher in Bavaria and worked as a self-employed social media manager during her studies. After a brief foray into the world of marketing and copywriting agencies, she quickly realized that her heart beats for digital education after all. She is now responsible for the live webinars and workshops at fobizz and manages the social media channels. She gives workshops and webinars on the topic of artificial intelligence and is responsible for parents’ evenings on the topic of artificial intelligence.

ChatGPT & Beyond: Revolutionizing homework or enabling cheating?

AI tools belong in the classroom

ChatGPT & homework = cheating?

Co-authoring homework with ChatGPT – cheating or independent work?

Webinar recording

The ABCs of AI – What Educators need to know

AI tools for homework: The panacea?

It all depends on the task

Strategies for Teachers to Mitigate AI Misuse in Homework

Is ChatGPT the End of Traditional Homework?

More blog articles

fobizz on the Road: Unforgettable Time in San Diego

ChatGPT & Beyond: Revolutionizing homework or enabling cheating?

Why AI detectors don’t work

Digital tools

Artificial Intelligence

About fobizz

Legal

Contact