Overview
With the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, many teachers have wondered how they will prevent students from using these tools to cheat on assignments and assessments. These concerns are not new. Each time that new technology is introduced, teachers must navigate the ways that this change will impact instruction. This was certainly the case when calculators, spell-check, grammar checkers, internet browsers, and one-to-one devices first entered the classroom. While there is no perfect way to prevent cheating, there are strategies that educators can use to help mitigate the concerns and also help promote and retain academic integrity in the classroom.
Strategies to Consider
- Determine why kids may cheat and address those factors:
- May be from a lack of relevance or motivation.
- May be from a lack of preparation or skill development.
- Generate expectations and guidelines collaboratively with your students.
- Use T-Charts (Word template, Google Docs template).
- Use Y-Charts (Word Template, Google Docs Template).
- Have students sign an academic integrity contract.
- Write it together.
- Sign a commitment to academic integrity.
- Redesign your assignments and assessments.
- Make them project-based.
- Tie them to something personal or local.
- Make them multimodal.
- Facilitate collaborative creation in the classroom.
- Have students document how they use AI.
- AI doesn’t cite sources well.
- This strategy encourages student accountability for content used.
Approaches to Avoid
- Don’t create a “gotcha” environment.
- Don’t just lock it and block it.
- Don’t violate terms of use.
Integration Ideas
We have entered the age of generative AI, and students will find themselves graduating into a workforce where the ability to navigate this new technology will be an expectation. As classroom teachers, we can help educate and guide students through this learning process while mitigating negative consequences at the same time. While each educator will need to find what works for them, through a combination of transparent conversations and expectations together with thoughtfully redesigned assignments and assessments, they can address their concerns and change the narrative from catching students cheating to helping students thrive in an AI world.
How can I learn more?
For more information about AI, explore the following AVID Open Access article collection: AI in the K–12 Classroom.