The Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) is closely monitoring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education in Barbados. The Council is researching the benefits and challenges of AI and its implications for both itself and the institutions it accredits.
Jonre Waterman, Research & Development Officer at BAC, recently presented a paper titled “Investigating The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education In Barbados: The Opportunities for Innovation and the Implications for Academic Integrity” at the 20th Annual Conference of the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE), held in Jamaica.
Mr. Waterman highlighted the benefits of AI in higher education, but also emphasized the need to ensure that students do not misuse AI to cheat on assignments or exams. He noted that AI-powered tools are here to stay, and institutions worldwide are using them as legitimate research tools, not just for cheating.
Local higher education institutions must adapt to the changing landscape or risk falling behind in quality. This also challenges organizations like BAC to maintain and improve education standards.
A major concern is ensuring academic integrity. Mr. Waterman warned that if institutions ignore AI-related risks, students might earn qualifications that don’t truly reflect their knowledge, harming the credibility of higher education.
To address these concerns, BAC recommends the following steps:
- Assess AI’s Potential: Institutions should evaluate whether AI tools can improve their educational offerings. Even if AI doesn’t seem beneficial, this should be determined through proper assessment.
- Review Academic Integrity: Institutions need to identify how AI could threaten academic honesty and address these vulnerabilities.
- Update Quality Standards: BAC plans to revise its standards to ensure institutions tackle challenges brought by new technologies.
Cheating on homework using AI is a global issue. The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, automated essay generators, and problem-solving apps has made it easier for students worldwide to bypass the learning process by submitting work that isn’t entirely their own. Some key reasons for this trend include:
- Ease of Access: AI tools are readily available online, often for free or at low cost, making them accessible to students everywhere. However, some schools in the US and elsewhere have sites like ChatGPT blocked so that students cannot use them on school computers.
- Speed and Efficiency: AI can quickly generate essays, solve complex problems, and provide answers, saving students time compared to traditional effort.
- Lack of Awareness: Many students may not fully understand the ethical or academic consequences of using AI for dishonest purposes.
- Pressure to Perform: High academic expectations push some students to seek shortcuts, particularly in competitive educational environments.
Educational institutions worldwide are taking various approaches to tackle AI-assisted cheating. Here’s a breakdown of some key strategies being used:
1. Adopting AI Detection Tools
- Many schools and universities are integrating software like Turnitin, which has AI detection features, to identify assignments or essays generated by AI.
- These tools analyze patterns in the text, such as predictability or lack of originality, which are common indicators of AI-generated content.
2. Redesigning Assessments
- Focus on Process, Not Just Results: Institutions are moving towards assessment formats that emphasize the learning process, such as step-by-step problem-solving or reflective journals.
- In-Class Tests and Oral Exams: Assignments are increasingly being replaced or supplemented with in-class activities, oral presentations, or viva voce examinations, which are harder to fake.
- Project-Based Learning: Encouraging collaborative and practical projects that require creativity and hands-on work reduces the likelihood of AI misuse.
3. Educating Students on Ethics
- Institutions are including academic integrity and the ethical use of AI as part of their curriculum.
- Workshops and seminars teach students about the value of original work and the consequences of cheating, including both academic penalties and long-term skill deficits.
4. Updating Academic Policies
- Policies are being revised to explicitly address AI usage. For example:
- Some institutions allow AI tools but require proper acknowledgment and disclosure.
- Others have zero-tolerance policies, treating AI misuse as a form of plagiarism or academic misconduct.
- Rubrics and grading systems are being adjusted to consider AI-related challenges.
5. Promoting Transparent Use of AI
- Some educators encourage students to use AI tools responsibly, such as for brainstorming ideas or improving drafts, but not for generating complete assignments.
- Assignments are designed to include AI usage as a component, asking students to reflect on how they used the tool and what they learned from it.
6. Using AI to Counter AI
- Institutions are leveraging AI to detect irregularities in student work, such as sudden changes in writing style or disproportionately advanced responses.
- AI-based proctoring tools monitor online exams to flag suspicious behaviors like switching tabs or using unauthorized devices.
7. Building a Culture of Integrity
- Schools and universities are emphasizing a culture of trust and integrity through honor codes and student pledges.
- Peer accountability systems encourage students to uphold and respect academic standards.
8. Research and Collaboration
- Institutions are collaborating with education technology companies, governments, and academic bodies to stay ahead of evolving AI tools.
- Research into AI’s role in education helps identify new challenges and proactive solutions.
The following letter to a teenager was written by AI:
Dear Julie,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to talk to you about something that’s becoming a big topic in schools these days: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to write homework essays. It’s tempting, I know. Tools like ChatGPT can quickly create polished essays, and it might seem like a shortcut to save time. But I’d like to explain why it’s important not to rely on AI for your schoolwork, especially as a 10th grader.
1. You Lose Out on Learning
When you use AI to do your work, you miss the opportunity to practice and develop your writing skills. Writing essays helps you learn how to express your thoughts, organize ideas, and make arguments—all of which are essential for success in school and life. If you let AI do the work for you, you’re not giving yourself the chance to grow.
2. It Undermines Your Academic Integrity
Honesty is a key part of your education. Using AI to write your essays is essentially like copying someone else’s work—it’s not your own. If your teachers find out, there could be serious consequences, like failing the assignment or even more significant penalties. Beyond that, it could harm the trust between you and your teachers.
3. AI Isn’t Perfect
AI-generated essays might sound good at first, but they often lack depth, originality, or proper understanding of the subject. Sometimes, they can even include incorrect information. Your teachers can usually tell when an essay doesn’t reflect the knowledge or effort they expect from you. You’re much better off submitting your own work, even if it’s not perfect.
4. You’re Building Habits for the Future
High school is a time to build the skills and habits you’ll need later in life. Whether you go to college or start a career, being able to think critically, write clearly, and work through challenges will help you succeed. Taking shortcuts now could make things harder for you in the long run.
5. AI Can Be a Tool, Not a Crutch
This doesn’t mean you can’t use AI at all. AI can help you brainstorm ideas, find sources, or even improve your grammar. But it’s important to use it responsibly—as a tool to support your learning, not to replace your effort. Think of it as an assistant, not the author of your work.
6. Be Proud of Your Effort
When you write your essays yourself, you can take pride in your hard work and the progress you’re making. Even if it’s challenging, overcoming those challenges is what helps you grow. And trust me, your teachers—and your future self—will appreciate that.
Julie, you’re smart and capable, and I know you have great ideas to share. Trust yourself, put in the effort, and let your voice shine through in your essays. AI might make things easier in the moment, but the real reward comes from knowing you’ve done the work yourself.
If you ever
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