AI and Higher Ed

An instructor from one of the University Center’s partner schools recently contacted our office to request our assistance with a class issue. The class connects to multiple campuses, and there had been issues at some sites with students using AI to generate responses to exam questions. While they did not believe University Center students were involved, they requested that a staff member visit the class and remind students of the institutional and class policies regarding AI use.

Artificial Intelligence is infiltrating higher education just like it is every other part of our lives. How are colleges and universities dealing with it, and why does it matter?

Q: How are your partner schools addressing students’ use of AI on assignments, and what constitutes unauthorized use?

Plagiarism has always been an issue in higher education. AI has just created new possibilities. Every institution has an academic integrity policy that defines expectations and consequences for student academic work. When AI began to emerge, institutions pointed to existing policies and expanded expectations based on the recent technology.

For example, Northern Oklahoma College has an AI policy that establishes general parameters, and most instructors define their own expectations. The NOC policy states, “Students may use AI tools to enhance creative thinking, research and problem solving” (NOC Student Handbook, p 58). Anything outside of those boundaries constitutes unauthorized use unless the instructor specifically allows it.

Q: How are professors changing the way they design assignments because of AI, and what approaches are proving effective?

The availability of AI mandates that instructors adjust. They must be aware of the technology and intentionally define their expectations regarding its use. For example, an instructor might state that AI can be used as a tool to generate ideas for topics for a research project, but specify that AI cannot be accessed to perform the research or generate the paper.

I have seen instructors moving away from technology-based assignments and exams to paper/pencil. Also, when students take exams at the UC, they are required to turn in all personal possessions to UC personnel for the duration of the exam. This includes laptops, cell phones and smart watches.

Another shift is in the assignments that are given. There is a greater move toward project-based and hands-on learning that, while it may require limited access to technology, the bulk of the assignments and the follow-up presentations are not technology-based.

Q: What are students saying about AI in regard to their education?

Most students realize that AI is a powerful tool. They use it for everything from generating funny memes to share with their friends to choosing the perfect Christmas gift for the moms. Educationally, they must discover how to use AI appropriately in their learning and anticipated careers. Many worry that they will spend years becoming skilled and knowledgeable in their chosen fields, only to find themselves replaced by AI. The more they can learn about AI and its appropriate uses, the better prepared they will be to tackle their futures.

Q: What are some appropriate uses of AI for college students?

Just for fun, I used this question as a prompt for ChatGPT. It generated 10 specific suggestions, including brainstorming, explaining difficult material, creating practice questions, providing feedback on assignments and time management help. Ask your preferred chatbot and see what responses it generates for you.

Also, appropriate AI use varies by course. A class in AI Technology will have different requirements than Composition I, College Algebra or a nursing course in Pharmacology.

Q: What changes in higher education are needed in the next five years because of AI?

Because it is evolving so rapidly, I do not think we can fully know what all needs to change. What is certain is that change will be required. Universities, educators and students must continue to learn and adjust as AI consumes more and more of our lives.

AI is here to stay, and its impact will continue to broaden. A student cannot be considered educated in any field of study if AI has done all the work for them. Students must skillfully use AI as a tool to enhance their education rather than as the means by which they earn their education.

Keep learning!