AI use questioned in, outside of classroom
Last week’s column on artificial intelligence drew a lot of interest. Here are two responses.
Q. As a teacher for over 30 years,10 at the college level, I struggle to find any glimmer of positive in the AI craze. I repeatedly told my students in the last years to write their own papers; when I ran our college’s AI checker, most of them still used AI. I gave them an opportunity to rewrite the papers and found some continued to rely on AI. Your column last week was spot on. It may sound harsh, but my new policy this school year is simple: If a student’s paper checks over 50% AI generated, they get a failing grade on the paper. Am I overreacting? – Not a teen but I read your column
Mary Jo’s Response: I hear you. Technology often moves faster than our ability to work with it. Your ultimate role is educator and mentor. Ask yourself what messages you give if you allow some students to write their graded papers with the use of AI and others do so without. I think you need to establish an equitable policy and stick to it.
Obviously, this policy must be in writing, and the students need to be informed before it is implemented. They need to know you’re using the college’s AI checker, and your grading is not subjective. I’d also share that you are responsible for assessing their knowledge. Are they learning? You could test/quiz them on the subjects in the papers after submission, to assess retention, but I think you’d need to test all students to be fair. If your students follow the research data, those who put in the effort to write their papers themselves will know more. I’d also check with your department chair or ask if the college has an AI policy. Such policies would override yours as a professor. Good luck.
Q. A girl on my bus is using AI as a counselor. Honest, it’s not me. I worry because she just started sharing this with me and my friend. I know she has a lot of trouble at home. Her parents just split up and she’s feeling sad a lot. Should I tell someone, besides you, I mean? My friend says it’s not our business. I’m concerned? It doesn’t feel safe. – 14-year-old
Mary Jo’s Response: Yes, you should be concerned. I understand your friend’s desire to stay out of this young person’s business, but there are times when speaking up is important. This is one of them. I’d suggest you tell a trusted adult – pick one who won’t overreact. Your parent? A favorite teacher? I know young people who have used AI “counseling” programs. It’s easy for them to forget the responses they’re receiving are not from a human. The counseling program cannot seek help if someone is suicidal, for example, but a real counselor would know what to do.
It’s also possible this young person needs a friend and is reaching out. She told you for a reason. Do you know what it means to hold space with someone? I was a hospice nurse and a birth doula, and I learned to hold space with those who needed support in both those roles. When we hold space, we give the gift of our presence – of us. We listen without judging or giving advice.
I suggest you hold space with this troubled teen and listen. I also suggest you make a trusted adult aware of your concerns. Teens like you can be wonderfully helpful to their peers who feel alone. Thank you for being you.
Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.