Copilot for Students - Cheating with AI

 

Controversy with Copilot/AI for Students - Cheating with AI

Yes, there has been some controversy and concern among educators about students potentially using AI tools like Copilot to cheat on assignments. The use of AI tools in education is a new and evolving field, and it’s important for both students and educators to navigate this responsibly and ethically. Here are some key points:

1. Use in Assignments: Some students have admitted to using AI tools like ChatGPT on assignments or exams. In some cases, students have been disciplined for using, or being accused of using, generative AI to complete classroom assignments^.
2. Concerns Among Educators: Teachers are concerned that students who rely heavily on AI tools might not develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. They also worry about the accuracy and safety of the information provided by these tools.
3. Trust Issues: The use of AI tools has made some teachers more distrustful of their students.
4. Need for Guidelines: There is a need for clear guidelines on how students can use AI tools without violating school rules². Only a small percentage of teachers have been trained on how to respond if they suspect a student used generative AI to cheat.
5. Potential for Positive Use: Despite the concerns, some educators see potential in these tools. For example, one teacher allowed a student to work with an AI tool to improve his writing and research skills.

  Tips to Prevent Cheating with Copilot:

1.        Honor Code: Establish an honor code where students pledge not to use Copilot to complete assignments that are meant to be done independently.

2.        Unique Assignments: Design assignments that are unique and cannot be easily solved by querying Copilot. This could involve applying concepts in a new way or combining multiple concepts.

3.        Understanding-Based Assessment: Focus on assessments that test understanding rather than rote memorization. For example, ask students to explain the code they wrote, how it works, and why they chose that approach.

4.        Code Reviews: Regular code reviews can help ensure that students understand the code they’ve written, even if they had assistance from Copilot.

5.        Plagiarism Detection Tools: Use plagiarism detection tools to check student’s work for similarity with known sources or other students’ work.

Remember, Copilot is a tool designed to assist and enhance learning, not to replace it. It’s important to use it responsibly and ethically. Happy learning! 😊