We have to have up front and transparent conversations about AI technology with kids ASAP. As I’ve said in every task so far, they’re already using it. Asking them their opinions on the ethics of using AI is important. Is it cheating? Is it plagiarism? What if you “get caught”, should you receive a zero? Be displaced or ineligible to participate in Academic Honor Societies? Should our school revisit the standard definition of what constitutes ‘plagiarism’? I have talked openly and honestly to my students about why doing their own work is important; about why educational ethics, integrity and morality are important. I have explained to them that the learning experience is what school is all about. We have discussed the consequences of relying on AI, especially that AI won’t get them through a Regents or AP Exam.The strategy from TurnitIin that I liked was about establishing strong relationships with students, and how that that may be the single most important thing we can do as educators. Relationship-building is more important now than ever. I liked how the article said that “we can’t control technology, but technology will never replace human connection”. The more we know our students, the more we listen to them, the more invested they may be in what we are teaching them. I also liked how they mentioned that writing is thinking. That writing is how students learn, process and make connections. AI can’t think for them. Creating tasks that allows kids to personally respond may help.
