Should Colleges Use AI to Teach?

One thing students and teachers can agree on is that artificial intelligence is going to change higher education forever. Still, academia has done everything in its power to shield academic integrity from the AI revolution.

With a reported 86% of students using AI and the undependability of AI content detectors, academia might not be able to stop the wave of new technology.

If knowledge is power then educators are never powerless. New innovative solutions are available to teachers that make embracing AI less ethically questionable.

From brainstorming classwork to personalizing curricula, AI might shed new wisdom wisdom on the old adage "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"

Table of Contents

• AI Assisted Learning Beyond ChatGPT

• How Are Teachers Using AI?

• Should College Professors Use AI to Teach?

• Conclusion

• FAQ

AI Assisted Learning Beyond ChatGPT

AI in education is often associated with plagiarism but what about tools that teach students proper studying habits. Beyond generative AI models like ChatGPT, students also use various AI studying tools that are meant to elevate student learning instead of hindering it.

Study tools like StealthGPT’s Study Simulator are able to isolate the key points of any class materials and consolidate them into study guides which can then be used to create quizzes that students use to prepare for exams.

When I was in college, I wish I had a tutor that would've helped me get better grades in history but I never had the extra money or time to afford one. Now with AI tutors available to every student, there is no reason why anyone's learning has to end when the classroom empties.

AI tutors are beneficial for both teachers and students because both parties in higher ed have limited bandwidth. AI tutors minimize the amount of time spent studying while maximizing results, increasing student AI competency with a healthy tools that keep them engaged in class.

How Are Teachers Using AI?

The most prevelant AI software among teachers are AI detection tools and generative AI for creating syllabi, lesson plans, and other course documents. Universities also employ AI for sorting through applicants for admissions.

It's hard to keep up to date with new technology coming out everyday. Just like previous generations had trouble adapting to smart phones, some teachers feel that embracing AI is a daunting task. Below is a poll that determines how open teachers are to using AI:

The data shows teachers are reluctant to use AI tools beyond ChatGPT. This reluctance is partly due to ethical standards but lack of awareness and competency of new tools are just as much to blame.

More teachers simply need to be introduced to ethical AI tools that increase student engagement without sacrificing their thinking skills, professional development, core-competencies and problem-solving faculties.

The image above shows numerous tools teachers can utilize in the classroom. I imagine most teachers are unfamiliar with many of these tools and could benefit greatly from any of them.

Forbes broke down AI's potential role in higher education from a teacher's perspective citing a few key benefits including:

• Academic support with a student's own chatbots

• Immediate mental health support in real time

• AI tutoring

• Adaptive learning

• AI grading and feedback

Still, some teachers would look at these tools and determine they come at the cost of losing quality teaching. So, the question remains: Should teachers be using AI?

Should College Professors Use AI to Teach?

Absolutely. AI is meant to tackle problems that humans do not have the capacity to do themselves. So, if addressing every unique learning style present in a classroom seems overwhelming, an AI tool will be able to personalize a teacher’s curricula down to each individual so no one gets left behind.

Imagine two failing students in your class. The first student learns best visually and they sit next to the second student that learns best listening to podcasts. What if a tool existed that could take your lesson plans and alter them to each student's unique strengths to ensure they both learn?

The Downsides to Using AI in College

The benefits of using AI in education might be obvious but there are some negatives aspects we don't often consider. Cornell university has a progressive AI ethics code that points out a range of problems that include the following:

• Environmental concerns

• Privacy

• Equity

• Nonconsensual mining of datasets from teacher and student inputs

Teachers using AI should be aware of these factors but they shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater when the difference could mean the success of every student.

Cornell isn't the only top tier university looking forward with optimism instead of alarmism. Harvard reported on how teachers can take advantage of AI in 2023 and one year later, Harvard university has integrated generative AI into every level of learning, from research to writing.

Conclusion

Teachers should be using AI to lighten their loads, as should students, because too often school work involves activities that stop students from learning. By perfecting the learning process with AI, school work becomes fun, easy, and manageable for any learning style.

Teachers don't just educate their students on a given subject, they lead them through the most crucial years of their development. That leadership should extend beyond the classroom and with AI tools like the Study Simulator, teachers can make AI competency a seamless part of the learning experience.

FAQ

What AI Tools Are Teachers Using?

Teachers use submission portals like Canvas and Blackboard which integrate AI like Turnitin into their platforms. Gradescope helps teachers grade assignments and Curipod helps them fact-check submitted work.

To learn more chek out this long list of AI tools used by educators compiled by Common Sense Education.

Who Uses StealthGPT?

Everyone from students, teachers, and professional marketers use StealthGPT for all their generative AI needs. StealthGPT also includes detection and study aids to give users a full content creation toolkit whether it's for assignments, social media, SEO, blogging and more.

Is Using AI Plagiarism?

If you use AI to ghostwrite your essay and hand in those words as your own work, you’re committing AI plagiarism, not traditional plagiarism. Your AI isn't stealing anyone else’s words without citation, which is what plagiarism is. Still, AI plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct that can land you in a lot of trouble.