Let's rethink how we assess student success in the age of AI and focus on what they can do, not just what they know.

Cheating or Changing: The AI Debate in Modern Classrooms

As technology advances, so do the methods by which students can leverage these tools. Sometimes unethically. 

Reports of students using browser extensions and AI tools like ChatGPT to cheat on tests and essays have emerged. The rise of these new tools has sparked a significant debate in educational circles, with many institutions struggling with whether to encourage, control, or forbid the use of AI.

There are better paths forward than banning AI tools. We must consider how we can create fair learning environments, prepare students for the real world, and assess students while relying more on practical learning experiences. Here’s why.

Creating Fair and Consistent Learning Environments

Banning AI tools such as ChatGPT can inadvertently deepen the digital divide. In response to the disruptive potential of AI, several schools and universities have imposed strict prohibitions. 

For instance, numerous K-12 districts in the U.S. and educational institutions worldwide quickly banned ChatGPT following its debut due to concerns over plagiarism and misinformation. However, as educator Andy Canales points out, banning AI tools “risks widening the gap between those who can harness the power of this technology and those who cannot,” thereby harming students’ educational and career prospects.

Not all students can access or are familiar with AI tools, but this technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in professional settings. The effective use of AI is already becoming a crucial skill in various fields, from law to real estate and even politics.

Insights from a 2022 IBM report noted that 34% of companies currently use AI, with an additional 42% exploring its potential​​. That same report shows that 35% of organizations are training and reskilling their teams to use AI and automation tools. A more recent 2023 IBM report found that about 42% of enterprise-scale organizations (over 1,000 employees) surveyed actively use AI in their businesses.

To prepare students for this new era of AI, educational institutions must ensure all students have access to AI tools, fostering a fair and equitable learning experience. AI tools can also function as tutors, coaches, mentors, and teammates, offering on-demand explanations and personalized experiences to fill in the gaps. Providing AI training and resources across all socioeconomic backgrounds can help level the playing field, allowing every student to succeed.

Preparing Students for the Real World

Learning with AI involves integrating these technologies into educational practices to support thinking, learning, and creativity. Contrary to the perception that students use AI primarily for cheating, many use AI chatbots for brainstorming, writing enhancement, and personalized learning.

With the increasing integration of AI into the workplace, employers are looking for graduates who have practical experience with AI tools.

This new power is great for businesses and professionals, but keeping that human touch is essential. AI can handle repetitive tasks, but it lacks the empathy, critical thinking, and creativity that only humans can provide. So, it’s important to highlight AI as a tool rather than a crutch. 

Educating students on AI’s ethical, legal, and social implications can empower them to make informed decisions about using these tools in their careers. For instance, political science students might explore the ethics of AI-generated campaign ads, while business students might debate the productivity and ethical considerations of mandatory AI usage in the workplace.

Focusing on What Students Can Do, Not What They Know

It’s clear AI is impacting education. Though many say AI is ruining education, we must adapt much like we did with calculators and search engines. Not by resisting these tools, but by rethinking assessments to emphasize what students can do over what they simply know.

These new technologies require a more significant shift toward experiential learning, or learning by doing. This concept isn’t new. In fact, it has proved many benefits over time, including increased retention and engagement.

According to an article from Faculty Focus, alternative assessment strategies could include project-based learning, where students work on long-term projects that require continuous input and cannot be easily outsourced to AI. Oral exams and presentations can also test students’ understanding and ability to articulate their knowledge without relying on written aids. Additionally, educators might consider incorporating AI tools into the assessment process itself, allowing students to demonstrate their proficiency in using these technologies ethically and effectively.

In a May 2023 report titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning,” the U.S. Department of Education stated, “The Department’s long-standing edtech vision sees students as active learners; students participate in discussions that advance their understanding, use visualizations and simulations to explain concepts as they relate to the real world, and leverage helpful scaffolding and timely feedback as they learn.”

As the department recommends, simulations are an effective way to assess students’ knowledge. Stukent offers an innovative solution for combatting cheating in the age of AI: Simternships

These simulated internships place students in entry-level roles as accountants, marketers, public relations specialists, and more, challenging them with job-like tasks that go beyond traditional multiple-choice questions. Each Simternship immerses students in the day-to-day tasks of a professional role, offering hands-on experience. For example, in a marketing Simternship, students might develop marketing plans, conduct market research, and analyze campaign results, all within a simulated environment.

This approach has been positively received by students for its practicality and relevance to their future careers. “Stukent’s contribution to my understanding of real-world practices has been monumental,” said Carter Bagley, a Utah Valley University student who used the Marketing Principles Simternship. “The Simternship helped me learn and master concepts that textbooks alone couldn’t provide.”

What’s Next?

In embracing innovative methods, we can redefine the role of AI in education. The future of learning depends not on resisting technology but on harnessing its potential to create equitable, engaging, and forward-thinking educational environments. By using AI as a tool for enhancing learning rather than a threat to academic integrity, we can empower students to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Let’s commit to fostering a generation that is not only adept at using advanced technologies but also equipped with the critical thinking, creativity, and ethical understanding needed to navigate and shape the future. In this way, we can transform our educational systems into incubators of innovation, preparing students not just to succeed, but to lead in the AI-driven era.

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