In this edition:

• 🚮 Put AI Detectors in the Bin
• The ChatGPT Survival Kit for Teachers
• The AI Classroom is a Bestseller
• The Photo Competition Continues

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I’m going to give you my rubric for designing assignments that challenge students to go far beyond written work, which an AI chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Bard can complete in seconds.

Challenging our students to be more creative in their demonstration of knowledge and skills is now vital. I was on ITV’s Good Morning Britain recently arguing for this, but to my surprise, the other guest that joined me on the breakfast TV show was arguing for assignments to stay the same and just be more controlled and watched over at all times to prevent cheating with AI.

By embracing the challenge of designing more creative assignments rather than "doubling down" on old ways of doing it, educators can not only protect student integrity but also foster skills that students will carry into their careers and lives. They will gain critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, which are essential for success in the modern world. Maybe more importantly, they will learn how to collaborate with AI.

Unfortunately, some companies are trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube by developing AI writing detectors to catch out students using AI and some of us are using them.

Here’s the issue: they are unreliable.

Falsely accusing a student of cheating is not a great look. There are regular reports of this happening. 

Here’s one:

Relying on these AI detectors if even getting some writers fired:

When I first came across these tools I was able to fool the detector on my first go by simply asking ChatGPT to include some spelling and grammar mistakes. There are now specific tools that will help you generate AI content that can evade detection:

A recently published paper entitled Can AI-Generated Text be Reliably Detected? by Vinu Sankar Sadasivan, et al. at Cornell University explains that paraphrasing content from tools like ChatGPT can help evade these detectors, and even the best detector can only perform slightly better than a random classifier. The paper points out that improved paraphrasing models, smart prompting, and access to open-source LLMs could help attackers break AI detectors in the future. As a result, the practical applications of AI-text detectors can become unreliable, and the cost of misidentification can be significant.

AI detectors are literally a product of fear. Let’s not cower, but pursue a new path that will be beneficial for our students.

Unleashing Creativity: The Lifeline of Future-Proof Education

The crux of the matter is that we can struggle with designing assignments that challenge students beyond the capabilities of AI due to an exam system that focuses on written work and requires all learners to produce similar work. The rigidity of the system often stems from the belief that traditional methods have served us well thus far, so why change them? However, the world is evolving at breakneck speed, and education must adapt to keep up. There are some other reasons why we can’t seem to keep up:

• Reason #1: Apprehension towards technology and a lack of understanding about AI's potential role in education.
• Reason #2: Limited resources, creating a barrier to implementing innovative learning methods.
• Reason #3: The challenge in gauging the success of creative assignments compared to traditional written work.
• Reason #4: A skills gap, with educators potentially lacking the necessary training to effectively develop creative assignments.

Fear not, for I shall guide you through overcoming these hurdles and embracing a new educational paradigm that fosters creativity and collaboration with AI.

Step 1: Embrace the AI Revolution in Education

It's vital to appreciate that AI isn't a foe, but rather a formidable ally that can enrich the learning experience. By weaving AI into the educational tapestry, students can reap the rewards of personalised learning and support.

To embark on this journey, educators can begin by acquainting themselves with AI tools and platforms, such as ChatGPT, which can be employed to generate ideas and provide instantaneous feedback on student work. Moreover, they can explore successful case studies where AI has been seamlessly integrated into the classroom, sparking inspiration for ways to incorporate these technologies into their teaching repertoire. My book The AI Classroom is full of tools, case studies and guidance.

Step 2: Champion Creativity and Tackle Real-World Problems

Many educators fall into the trap of fixating on standardised tests and rigid curricula, which stifles creativity and innovation. Instead, they should champion assignments that encourage students to think critically, tackle real-world issues, and collaborate with others, including AI.

Examples include group projects where students unite to address a local challenge or individual assignments where students must concoct a novel solution to a given problem. These assignments test students in ways that AI-generated content cannot, fostering the development of essential skills for the future workforce.

Step 3: Celebrate Diverse Assessments and Evaluate Success Holistically

By redefining success beyond conventional metrics, educators can craft a more inclusive learning environment. This approach not only values creative expression but also recognises the myriad ways in which students can demonstrate their understanding.

Instead of solely relying on written assignments, consider incorporating presentations, projects, and hands-on activities that encourage students to apply their knowledge in innovative ways. In doing so, you create a vibrant learning ecosystem where students are eager to engage, nurturing a lifelong passion for learning that will serve them well in the ever-evolving world.

Here are my "10 Ways to Design Dynamic Assignments for Authentic Learning":

To download the PDF document click this link, retweet the tweet and I'll DM you the document instantly. 

This rubric is from the book The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education.

This 3-hour video course will supercharge your AI game.

The ChatGPT Survival Kit is a jam-packed practical course that will allow you to create better lessons and spend more time with your family.

Includes a 24-page supplementary e-booklet.

With 380+ pages we've packed this book full of guides, frameworks and strategies:

• Prep and Edit Prompting Framework
• 40+ Prompts for Educators
• 20+ AI Tools to Aid UDL Guidelines
• 30+ AI Tools Educators can use NOW
• Strategies to Save Teachers Time

Amazon.com link

Amazon.co.uk link

I'm giving two people free instant access to the 3-hour ChatGPT Survival Kit Course for Teachers.

All you have to do is take a selfie of yourself with The AI Classroom book and post it on Twitter or the Facebook AI Classroom group by 30th April. Make sure to use the hashtag #AIclassroom and tag me in it. Here are a few of the entries so far: