Upholding Academic Integrity in the Age of AI

Guest post by Micah Miner, Ed.S.

Introduction:

Imagine a classroom where every essay, every homework assignment springs from the well of individual thought and effort. This is the academic ideal, but as AI technologies become ubiquitous classroom companions, the lines defining academic integrity are being redrawn. How do we uphold the honor of independent scholarship when students have access to tools that can generate a polished essay in seconds?

As we navigate the era of digital transformation, AI emerges as both a beacon of innovation and a test of our educational principles. The White House’s executive order recognizes AI’s “extraordinary potential for both promise and peril” (Executive Office of the President, 2023, p. 1), while the Department of Education’s report cautions us at this “inflection point” where we must choose to either diminish or bridge educational disparities (Department of Education, 2023, p. 6). In this climate, the academic integrity of our classrooms hangs in the balance, necessitating a nuanced approach to integrating AI in education.

The Call for Ethical AI:

In a unified call for ethical AI, both the executive order and the Department of Education’s report emphasize the necessity of human oversight and equitable use of AI technologies. These documents compel us to create AI policies that not only comply with ethical standards but also reflect a shared vision for high-quality, equitable education (Executive Office of the President, 2023, p. 2; Department of Education, 2023, p. 10). We must forge policies that are adaptable to the rapid advancements in AI, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.

To navigate this terrain, the following steps can serve as a compass for schools:

Assessment of Current GenAI Usage:

Begin by evaluating how students and teachers are currently engaging with generative AI tools. Understand the ethical, academic integrity, and privacy concerns that arise with their usage.

AI Literacy and Understanding:

Invest in building a comprehensive AI literacy program. Ensure that every member of the school community, from students to educators, understands the capabilities and limitations of GenAI.

Designing Clear Guidelines:

Devise clear, actionable guidelines for how students and teachers can use GenAI tools responsibly. These guidelines should encourage the ethical use of AI while also fostering academic integrity.

Stakeholder Partnerships:

Collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders—including students, parents, teachers, and tech experts—to create a policy that is inclusive and representative of the community’s values and needs.

Policy as a Living Document:

Recognize that an AI policy is not set in stone but is a living document that will evolve as new multimodal technologies come, and where insights and challenges emerge.

Stakeholder-Specific Examples:

Provide concrete examples that resonate with various stakeholders, illustrating the appropriate use of AI in a way that is relevant and understandable to each group.

The policy should explicitly address:

Appropriate Use Cases: Clearly define scenarios where generative AI can be used to assist with assignments, ensuring that the use enhances learning without compromising on integrity.
Citation and Tracking of Generative AI Use: Establish norms for how students should cite and track their use of GenAI, promoting transparency and accountability.
Data Privacy and Security: Set firm boundaries to safeguard the data privacy and security of students and teachers, aligning with the best practices in digital safety.

By considering common issues such as generative AI grading challenges, the proliferation of misinformation, and the risks of overreliance on AI, policies can be designed to preempt and address these concerns effectively.

Introducing the Policy:

Implementing the policy can be done through varied educational strategies. Engage the school community in faculty meetings, workshops, debates, and peer learning sessions to foster a deep understanding of the policy. Also, include student voice in the process and find ways to creatively communicate to parents and community members. This multi-faceted approach ensures that as AI tools become more integrated into the educational fabric, they are used in a manner that is safe, secure, and aligned with the ethos of academic excellence.

Drawing from the four foundations suggested by the Department of Education—centering people, advancing equity, ensuring safety and effectiveness, and promoting transparency—we can outline strategies that educators can implement to develop AI policies that foster integrity and inclusivity (Department of Education, 2023, p. 10).

The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Academic Honesty:

AI can be a powerful ally in education, offering personalized learning experiences and support. However, it can also inadvertently encourage shortcuts. AI-powered platforms that complete math problems or auto-generate essays can detract from the learning process. Conversely, AI that supports students in research, data analysis, and the exploration of multiple perspectives can enhance critical thinking and original work.

AI holds the power to both enhance personalized learning and inadvertently encourage academic shortcuts. The Department of Education underscores the need to ensure safety and effectiveness of AI tools (Department of Education, 2023, p. 10), aligning with the executive order’s directive for rigorous evaluations of AI systems (Executive Office of the President, 2023, p. 2).

Balancing Act: Case Studies and Hypothetical Scenarios:

Consider the use case of a school district that implemented an AI tool designed to help students learn how to structure essays. The tool was effective, but teachers noticed an uptick in nearly identical essay outlines. The district responded by updating their policy to specify that while AI can be used for learning and practice, all submitted work must be uniquely crafted by the student, ensuring the final product demonstrates individual learning and critical thinking. This approach aligns with the administration’s emphasis on equity, as articulated in the executive order: “My Administration cannot — and will not — tolerate the use of AI to disadvantage those who are already too often denied equal opportunity and justice.” (Executive Office of the President, p. 3)

A district’s use of AI for essays can help lead to policy updates ensuring student work remains original, mirroring the White House’s stand on equitable AI use (Executive Office of the President, p. 3). AI in assessments should aid educators, not supplant them, providing a detailed look at student performance across various tasks. Feedback on drafts and support for authentic, real-world tasks are where AI shines, but human judgment remains the most important aspect of assessment, and is crucial to the student-teacher relationship. This balanced approach to AI leverages its strengths while upholding academic integrity and educational values.

Conclusion:

As we stand at the intersection of innovation and tradition, the path forward requires a delicate balance. We must embrace the tools that propel our students toward a bright future while instilling the timeless values of honesty and effort. It is not just about teaching students how to use AI responsibly; it’s about nurturing a mindset that values the learning journey as much as the destination. Ensuring AI systems “function as intended, are resilient against misuse or dangerous modifications” (Executive Office of the President, p. 3) is paramount in this endeavor.

Engagement Poll:

What is your biggest concern regarding AI and academic integrity? Share your thoughts and let’s address these challenges together.

References:

AI for Education. (n.d.). AI Resources for Educators and Schools. Retrieved from https://www.aiforeducation.io/ai-resources/ai-policy-guide-school

Biden, J.R. (2023). Executive order on the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence. White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial intelligence and the future of teaching and learning: Insights and recommendations. https://tech.ed.gov/ai-future-of-teaching-and-learning/

About Micah

District Administrator Instructional Technology & Social Studies at Maywood, Melrose Park, Broadview School District 89, American Consortium for Equity in Education Contributing Writer, Times 10 Publications Author

https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-j-miner/

http://www.micahminer.com/

https://twitter.com/minerclass

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions for your school about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more!

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