Professors Take a Closer Look at Marking Essays Written with AI
Historically, students have grappled with the age-old challenge of producing a coherent and well-written exam essay. However, this year a particular essay has caught the eye of esteemed historian and professor Diarmaid Ferriter, who revealed that the best essay he read this year was an angry and refreshingly human one.
Ferriter expressed his surprise at the assumption that thinking and writing are mutually exclusive activities, pointing out that this notion may stem from the increasing reliance on AI tools in education. He reminisced about his own experiences marking exams at the University College Dublin (UCD) at the RDS in Ballsbridge, bringing back memories from over 30 years ago when he would attend for various arts degrees.
The Rise of AI-Generated Essays and Their Implications
Ferriter’s observation highlights the growing concern about the use of AI tools in academic settings. It appears that students are increasingly using these tools to generate essays, which can make the task of marking more challenging for professors. This raises questions about the validity of exams as a measure of a student’s knowledge and understanding of a subject.
The idea that thinking and writing are not separate processes is nothing new, yet it’s becoming increasingly relevant in the age of AI. While AI tools can certainly assist with writing, they can also produce generic and unengaging content. As Ferriter pointed out, a well-written essay is more than just a collection of coherent sentences – it’s a reflection of the writer’s thoughts, ideas, and emotions.
The Future of Exams and the Role of AI
What this means is that professors and educators need to rethink their approach to exams and assessment. Rather than relying solely on AI-generated content, they should focus on evaluating students’ ability to think critically and express themselves in a clear and concise manner. This may involve incorporating more subjective and human-centric assessments into exams, such as evaluating a student’s emotional intelligence and empathy.
The debate around AI-generated essays is far from over, and it’s likely that we’ll see a shift in the way exams are structured and assessed in the coming years. As AI tools become more sophisticated, it’s essential to consider their implications on education and ensure that they align with the values and goals of teaching and learning.
