GenAI Proof Your Discussion Forums

July 02, 2024 / Digital Learning / Tags: AI, Online Teaching, Discussion Boards

studenrts chating with eachother

Introduction

Online education is always changing and staying current in our teaching practices is a challenge. Recently, a new challenge has emerged with the increasing use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT by students in their discussion forum responses. While these technologies can offer valuable assistance, they also pose a risk to academic integrity and the development of critical thinking skills. Many of you have expressed concerns about ensuring that student contributions remain authentic and reflective of their own understanding. Addressing this issue requires innovative approaches to discussion prompts and response formats that encourage deeper engagement and original thought. Below you will find some strategies to prevent students from using GenAI to answer discussion prompts and foster a more enriching and genuine learning experience while interacting with peers in discussion forums.

The Plan

1. 1. Have a detailed GenAI policy in your syllabus.
  2. Discuss with your students the authorized use of AI and how you will check/know if they are using it inappropriately.
  3. Create discussion prompts that utilize personalization, future predictions, class-specific content, and local contexts (see below for details).
  4. Have students reply to discussion prompts in ways that GenAI cannot replicate (see below for examples).
  5. Follow the AI Detection Process if you suspect a student is using GenAI in an unauthorized way.

Discussion Prompt Ideas

Creating discussion prompts that are challenging for students to generate using GenAI can encourage original thought and deeper engagement. Here are ten strategies to achieve this:

- Personal Experience and Reflection:
  - Ask students to relate the topic to their own personal experiences or observations. For example, "Describe a time when you applied the principles of [concept] in your own life. What was the outcome?"
- Current Events and Local Context:
  - Incorporate recent news articles or events, especially those that are highly specific to the local community or the campus. For instance, "Discuss how the recent policy change at our university impacts student life. Provide examples from recent campus events."
- Class-Specific Content:
  - Reference materials covered in class, such as specific lectures, discussions, or unique assignments. For example, "Based on our discussion last week about [specific topic], how would you apply these ideas to solve [a particular problem]?"
- Comparative Analysis:
  - Require students to compare and contrast specific readings or case studies discussed in class. For example, "Compare the perspectives of Author A and Author B from our readings this week on [topic]. Which do you find more convincing and why?"
- Creative Problem Solving:
  - Present a novel scenario or problem that requires original thinking to solve. For example, "Imagine you are the head of a nonprofit organization focused on [issue]. How would you address the main challenges identified in our readings?"
- Debate and Defense:
  - Ask students to take a stance on a controversial issue and defend their position with specific references to class discussions. For example, "Argue for or against the implementation of [policy], using evidence from our class debates."
- Interdisciplinary Connections:
  - Encourage students to connect the topic with another subject they are studying or are interested in. For example, "How can the principles of [topic] in this class be applied to your major field of study?"
- Future Predictions:
  - Ask students to make predictions based on current trends discussed in class. For example, "Based on our discussion on emerging technologies, predict how [specific technology] will evolve in the next five years and justify your prediction."
- Peer Interaction:
  - Design prompts that require interaction with classmates' posts, asking for specific feedback or extensions of their ideas. For example, "Choose a classmate's post and offer a constructive critique or build upon their argument with additional evidence."
- Process-Oriented Questions:
  - Focus on the student's thought process rather than the end result. For example, "Describe the steps you took to arrive at your conclusion on [specific issue]. What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?"

These strategies can help ensure that students engage more deeply with the material and rely less on GenAI-generated responses.

Response Format Ideas

Encouraging students to respond to discussion prompts in diverse formats can enhance engagement and help students to understand the content in different ways.

- Video Responses:
  - Students can record short video responses where they articulate their thoughts and ideas. This can be done using platforms like Flipgrid, YouTube, or directly within the learning management system (LMS).
- Audio Responses:
  - Students can create audio recordings or podcasts to share their insights. Tools like Audacity or even voice memos on their phones can be used to record their responses.
- Infographics:
  - Students can design infographics to visually represent their responses. Tools like Canva or Piktochart can help create professional-looking infographics that summarize their ideas creatively.
- Slide Presentations:
  - Students can create slide presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) to present their responses. This allows them to combine text, images, and multimedia to convey their points effectively.
- Mind Maps:
  - Using tools like MindMeister or simple drawing tools, students can create mind maps to organize and present their thoughts in a visual format.
- Artistic Expressions:
  - Depending on the subject matter, students can create artworks, such as drawings, paintings, or digital art, to express their ideas and perspectives.
- Interactive Posters:
  - Students can design interactive posters using tools like Glogster, incorporating text, images, and videos to present their responses.
- Dramatizations or Role-Playing:
  - Students can act out scenes or role-play scenarios related to the discussion prompt. This can be recorded and shared as a video response.
- Social Media Posts:
  - Encourage students to create social media-style posts (e.g., Twitter threads, Instagram stories) that succinctly convey their responses. These can be shared on a class-specific platform or simulated within the LMS.
- Digital Stories:
  - Using tools like Storybird or Adobe Spark, students can create digital stories or animations to illustrate their responses.
- Collaborative Wikis:
  - Students can contribute to a class wiki, collaboratively building a comprehensive response to the prompt.
- Debate or Discussion Panels:
  - Organize live or recorded debate sessions or discussion panels where students can orally present and defend their viewpoints.
- Data Visualizations:
  - Students can create charts, graphs, or other data visualizations using tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or Tableau to present and analyze data related to the discussion topic.

- Interactive Quizzes:

- - Students can design and share interactive quizzes or polls related to the topic, using tools like Kahoot, Quizlet, or Google Forms, to engage their peers and stimulate further discussion.
- Annotated Bibliographies:
  - Students can compile annotated bibliographies of relevant readings or resources, providing summaries and reflections on each source's contribution to the discussion topic.
- Case Studies or Scenarios:
  - Students can write detailed case studies or hypothetical scenarios that relate to the discussion topic, posing questions and inviting classmates to analyze and respond to the situation.

Utilizing varied response formats can make discussions more dynamic and inclusive, allowing students to leverage their strengths and creativity.

Conclusion

Incorporating these strategies into your course design is a powerful way to foster critical thinking and diminish reliance on GenAI-generated answers. By prompting students to consider personal contexts and express their ideas through diverse formats—such as videos, infographics, and interactive projects—you encourage them to engage deeply with the material, reflect on their learning, and draw connections to their personal experiences and current events. This approach not only enriches the learning experience but also nurtures originality and independent thought. As students explore various ways to articulate their understanding, they develop essential skills that go beyond rote memorization and superficial responses, leading to a more meaningful and authentic educational journey.