Greenville Technical College continues to navigate the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
Many in academia are concerned about the threat AI technology poses to academic integrity. On the other hand, this type of technology is seen as a useful tool for educating and preparing the future workforce.
Larry Miller, GTC vice president of learning and workforce development, said the college’s approach to AI technology aims to address both schools of thought.
Protections and policies
Higher education institutions across the country are finding students cheating on assignments by turning in content created by generative AI. This form of technology can produce content from information and prompts.
For example, Mimi Hume, an English professor at GTC, found four cases of AI plagiarism in the first two weeks of the new school year. These cases are now subject to the school’s academic-misconduct procedure.
“Usually, a few quick questions about the piece of writing will reveal that (the student) didn’t write it or they didn’t know the words,” Hume said.
To help protect academic integrity, Greenville Technical College formed an AI task force at the end of 2023-24 school year. The committee comprises eight faculty and staff members including Hume.
The AI task force was assigned three main objectives to accomplish by December:
- Develop a collegewide policy and supporting procedures for AI.
- To reduce the risk of plagiarism, review technologies and assessments designed to detect and deter AI.
- Create AI training plans and recommendations for faculty and staff.
Nathan Sasser, chair of the AI task force, said the committee has developed draft policies that will be reviewed by outside consultants. Sasser is an assistant professor of philosophy and the head of GTC’s humanities department.
“One policy is simply we should all look into AI and see how we can use it constructively, but if you’re a student, don’t use it in ways your instructor forbids,” Sasser explained.
The second proposed policy advises instructors to acknowledge their usage of generative AI. Miller said faculty and staff are encouraged to pilot AI technologies that would help them more efficiently and effectively educate students. The third policy prohibits employees from sharing protected personal information when using AI technologies.
Related – AI and education: Schools grapple with challenging technology
The college’s academic-misconduct procedure is also under revision and is expected to be finalized this semester. Miller said GTC has purchased a new software called Maxient to help faculty manage the increased workload from AI-related academic-misconduct cases. The technology was recommended by the AI task force.
Training and development
According to Cengage Group’s 2024 Graduate Employability Report, approximately 73% of employers use generative AI. However, 55% of college graduates said their courses did not teach them how to use generative AI tools.
Higher education institutions are recognizing a need to teach students about the latest technologies that will be used in their future careers. To accomplish this, GTC is investing in AI technologies for students to use and learn in the classroom.
For example, GTC ordered machine-learning orbital welding equipment for students in the college’s welding program to use and master. Miller said the technology increases a welder’s productivity by 400%.
“We want to make sure that we’re producing skilled technicians (who) know how to use this equipment,” Miller said. “When they leave our programs, that’s going to increase the likelihood that they’re going to get a job.”
Miller also recently approved funding for a new technology for GTC’s dental programs called Dentrix Detect AI. He explained the system uses machine learning to calibrate the diagnostic process of a patient’s oral exam. The new technology aims to improve the quality of the diagnostic training a student receives.
The college’s other AI initiatives include purchasing eight machine learning “co-bots” for GTC’s Center for Manufacturing and developing the new Center for Industrial Cyber and AI.
“We’re still in the exploration stage in terms of our workforce-related programs and I’m excited by the promise of some early-stage initiatives that we’re working through,” Miller said. “We have to remain skeptical and try these out, but then also look carefully to make sure that they are having the intended impact.”
Definitions
Artificial Intelligence: Technology that allows computers to simulate human functions including learning and problem-solving.
Generative AI: A type of artificial intelligence that can create original content including text and images.
Machine Learning: An artificial intelligence system that can be trained to make decisions from historical data
Source: IBM
Cheating with AI
56% of students said they have used AI to help complete assignments and exams.
53% of students said they had coursework that required them to use AI as part of an assignment
58% of students said their school or program has a policy about using generative AI to complete assignments or exams
79% of students had at least one instructor discuss the use and ethics of AI in the classroom
Source: According to a survey by Best Colleges in 2023.
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