November 10, 2024

Dealing with AI Usage in University Writing Classes

By R. Paul Lege

While there are advantages and disadvantages to allowing some use of AI tech in completing assignments, trying to establish an actual boundary as to what constitutes improper usage is becoming harder to nail down (especially as AI evolves). The problem is particularly acute because AI has taken over the once useful corrective software tools on the market (such as Grammarly or translation tools), and most learners cannot distinguish between soft corrective instruction and an AI agent engaging in a re-write. As a result, instructors are having to spend more time in guiding, monitoring, detecting, and policing such usage. While no perfect solution exists, banning AI or avoiding the problem altogether seems impracticable, particularly as the technology advances. At present, numerous AI software writing programs exist on the market (see for example, Jasper, Propensity, Prowriting AID, Trinka, WriteSonic, Scribo, and Quillbot) that may help instructors gain some control over this run away problem. While I cannot say which is best, I can say that our department has purchased one for this fall, and we are already seeing some improved management of the issue.