AI (Artificial Intelligence) concept. Deep learning. GUI (Graphical User Interface).
Study: Faculty and Students Differ on Risks of AI
Last year, instructors were steadily and cautiously bringing AI into their curriculum. Looking beneath the surface, both students and professors agree on two things: AI is here to stay, and cheating facilitated by AI is on an upwards trajectory.
Wiley, a global publication covering all things research, recently put out their report Academic Integrity: Instructor & Student Experiences, Attitudes, and the Impact of AI 2024. The report showcases the growing role of AI in academia and reveals that both students and instructors see a rise in cheating.
NEARLY ALL PROFESSORS ASKED BELIEVE STUDENTS CHEATED USING AI
Nearly all, 96%, of professors believe that some of their students have cheated this past year using. That’s a significant leap from their thoughts three years back in 2021, when around 72% of them believed their students had cheated using AI. It’s important to note that these are beliefs, based on surveys of 850 instructors and 2,067 students in March 2024
Students themselves see increased dishonesty, with more than half (53%) of students saying there’s more cheating now than last year, and 23% of them saying it’s significantly more cheating.
While AI raises integrity concerns, both students and professors see the flip side of the coin as well. The report showed that many appropriate uses include using AI to help generate ideas or break down difficult content to save time.
‘AI CAN BENEFIT LEARNING WHEN USED THE RIGHT WAY’
“While students and instructors have a general belief that AI will be used in ways that are detrimental to academic integrity, they also seem to sense that AI can benefit learning when used the right way,” says Lyssa Vanderbeek, Wiley group vice president for courseware.
“These data drive home the need for faculty to rethink our learning outcomes, teaching strategies and assessments,”
David A. Rettinger, an applied professor of psychology at the University of Tulsa, expands on Vanderbeek’s point. “AI will affect every aspect of learning, and faculty must determine whether the impact is positive or negative,” he tells Wiley. “AI is disruptive. It is not a fad that we can ignore and hope it goes out of style.”
INSTRUCTORS SEEK GUIDANCE
Where do we go from here? One thing is clear – instructors are looking for guidance. Many have explored how to adapt, with in-person exams and clearer communication on academic integrity. Wiley is offering resources to help instructors navigate this newer territory.
