The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into classrooms is transforming the way students learn and teachers teach. From personalized learning platforms to AI-powered tools for grading and lesson planning, this technology is reshaping education by making it more accessible, efficient, and tailored to individual needs. As schools embrace these innovations, the classroom experience is evolving to prepare students for an increasingly tech-driven world. Yet, this rise also sparks important discussions about ethics, equity, and the role of human interaction in education.
The paragraph you just read was generated by AI. When students submit texts like this, how can teachers tell whether they are AI-generated or not? Ms. Leyow, an experienced English teacher, explains her opinions about AI in this interview and how she differentiates AI text from real student writing.
To start, what is your overall opinion about the growing rise of ChatGPT?
“The short answer is I don’t like it; it leaves room for greater cheating. I do believe that ChatGPT and AI need to be addressed more, so teachers and students can get more knowledge on it. For students to know why it is so bad to be using AI, and for teachers to know how to detect AI.”
Do you see any benefits in students using ChatGPT? For example, could it be used to enhance their learning/writing?
“I could see benefits arising from it, but those benefits need to be taught to the students and teachers. As I said in the previous question, there needs to be more information being taught to teachers and students regarding AI.”
Have you personally used ChatGPT in your personal life? Was it for teaching purposes or any other reasons?
“No, I have not. I would be willing to if I had more training. To teach students in terms of writing, to teach students the differences between their writing and the writings of AI, and to overall educate the students more on AI.”
The conclusion and introduction paragraphs of two different texts were shown to Ms. Leyow and we had her identify which text was AI, and walk us through how she discovered which one was AI.
Text 1:
A woman’s work is never done: many American women grow up with this saying and feel it to be true. One such woman, author Jessica Grose, wrote “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier,” published in 2013 in the New Republic, and she argues that while the men in our lives recently started taking on more of the childcare and cooking, cleaning still falls unfairly on women. Grose begins building her credibility with personal facts and reputable sources, citing convincing facts and statistics, and successfully employing emotional appeals; however, toward the end of the article, her attempts to appeal to readers’ emotions weaken her credibility and ultimately, her argument.
Though Grose begins the essay by effectively persuading her readers of the unfair distribution of home-maintenance cleaning labor, she loses her power at the end, where she most needs to drive home her argument. Readers can see the problem exists in both her marriage and throughout the world; however, her shift to humor and sarcasm makes the reader not take the problem as seriously in the end. Grose could have more seriously driven home the point that a woman’s work could be done: by a man.
(Source:
Text 2:
In “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier,” Jessica Grose critically examines the persistent gender disparity in household labor, focusing on how cleaning remains largely a woman’s responsibility, even in households where both partners work. Grose presents this issue as an overlooked aspect of gender inequality, noting that despite strides in workplace and social equality, cleaning remains an “invisible labor” disproportionately assigned to women. Using a combination of data, personal examples, and cultural critique, Grose underscores the need for a societal shift in how domestic tasks are viewed and shared. Her analysis challenges readers to recognize and address these lingering biases embedded in modern relationships and domestic roles.
In conclusion, Jessica Grose’s “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier” calls attention to an often-overlooked aspect of gender inequality within the home. By revealing how societal norms continue to place the burden of cleaning on women, even as traditional gender roles evolve, Grose underscores the need for a more equitable division of domestic labor. She invites readers to question these deeply ingrained biases and consider how a balanced approach to household responsibilities can lead to healthier relationships and a fairer society. Grose’s essay ultimately serves as a powerful reminder that true gender equality extends beyond public spaces and into the private sphere of home life.
(AI)
Ms. Leyow’s analysis: “Right away just by looking at the paragraphs, the second set of paragraphs are AI. Speaking as an English teacher, certain phrases and concepts are very unlikely for a high school student to know. ‘The author critically examines the persistence gender disparity’ I question that, ‘Presents this issue as an overlooked aspect of gender inequality’ I question that, ‘noting that despite strides in workplace and social equality, cleaning remains ‘invisible labor’ disproportionately assigned to women.’ I question that. From my perspective, it is simply too doubtful for a student to understand these concepts or vocabulary. In terms of word choice, word use, and connection of ideas, this would make me question the student.”
So you think that it would not be possible for a student to create a text like this?
“Students in this generation are reading less and less. Their understanding of how to analyze ideas, and put ideas together is getting dimmer and dimmer, not that they are inherently incapable, but they just have less experience. If this was 20 years ago, maybe, but right now if a student submitted that, I would question it for sure.”
The overall takeaway from this interview for me was that students and teachers need to be educated more on the use of AI. Teachers need to learn how to better differentiate AI text compared to a student’s text, and students need to realize the dangers of using AI. Thank you Ms. Leyow for the interview!