The Disrespect of AI: Educators Using Technology While Students Are Penalized
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology has played a paramount role in shaping how knowledge is disseminated and evaluated. Yet, as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into academic practices, a palpable tension has emerged between students and educators. One of the most striking manifestations of this tension is the paradox faced by students who are prohibited from using AI tools, while their teachers utilize these tools extensively to grade and provide feedback. I recently experienced this firsthand, as all four of my teachers this semester proudly declared that they rely almost exclusively on ChatGPT to mark and assess projects. This revelation left me feeling both bewildered and disrespected.
The Dilemma of Academic Integrity
At the core of education lies the concept of academic integrity—a value that emphasizes honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Educational institutions often prohibit the use of AI tools by students for fear of academic dishonesty. The rationale behind these restrictions is understandable; students must be encouraged to develop independent critical thinking, creativity, and writing skills. The widespread concern is that if students lean too heavily on AI, they may forfeit the opportunity to grow as independent thinkers, inadvertently diminishing the value of their education.
However, the irony of this strict prohibition becomes glaringly apparent when one considers that educators using AI to assess student work are themselves circumventing the very principles they uphold. If teachers can delegate the heavy lifting of grading to an algorithm, what are they teaching students about the value of thorough evaluation, mentorship, and personalized feedback? Instead of fostering a constructive learning environment, this disparity raises serious questions about the authenticity of the educational process.
The Teacher’s Perspective: Efficiency vs. Quality
From an educator’s standpoint, the use of AI tools like ChatGPT presents an array of benefits, primarily centered around efficiency. With larger class sizes and mounting administrative duties, teachers often find it challenging to devote adequate time to grading. Automated tools help save precious hours, allowing instructors to focus on curriculum development or to engage with students in other meaningful ways. Yet, this reliance on AI handling the intricacies of assessing writing also stirs debate about the depth and quality of feedback provided.
Despite the instantaneity AI offers in evaluating essays, the nuance of human feedback—which often requires understanding the context, intention, and emotional underpinnings of a student’s work—seems fundamentally lost. Can a machine truly grasp the subtleties of tone, creativity, or