Image credit: Author using Nightcafe
Alex
It was the month before Christmas, when all through the college,
Instructors were stirring, asking students for knowledge,
The assignments were posted on the platform with care,
In hopes students would submit their original responses there.
The students were nestled all snug in their homes,
While visions of good grades danced in their heads;
And mamma at her home, a-wishing my visit, but I at mine, a-wearing my glasses,
Had just settled my brains for long gen AI writing in classes.
When from my computer there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the desk I flew like a flash,
Tore open the PC and drew up the email that will now make a splash.
November 30, Sunday, is the first of Advent, marking the start of the Christmas season and symbolizing hope.
A few weeks ago, after a very thought-provoking ENAI student panel discussion webinar by Mary Davis, I had begun thinking about whether we as instructors can actually teach academic integrity. I had asked students to respond. I received only one email with a response.
In the meantime, I have been reading several take-home but also in-class assignments with extremely high AI-percentages – identified by Turnitin even 100% – and language and content so obviously ChatGPT that one did not need Turnitin.
Last night, I was in a desperate state, fearing that we’re faced with an unbeatable foe. Then I reread this one student’s responses.
When I lit the first candle on the advent wreath the first Sunday of Advent, this email had given me hope.
Ilias Malamos
Answer: Yes, I believe that the honesty of a person does not apply based on situations overall. Honesty and Loyalty are characteristics of someone’s behavior based on their values towards peers, cooperators and approach to their life. Being honest is not about fear nor short/ long term advantages.
Answer: Yes. Academic honesty and honesty overall should be taught to students. Not only can teachers contribute to building a student’s honesty, but also parents. I think that it is very important for students to learn to be ethical and honest from an early age. Ethical values are everywhere. If a kid gets spoiled and believes that they are superior to others, because they can get away with any form of misbehavior, then this is the “green light” for them to be dishonest both in academic and nonacademic environments.
Answer: The only difference between AI generated essay and paying someone else to write the essay for you is the financial attribute. Neither of these 2 options can make the essay to be yours. And this is not about the payment since you tag your name on the essay. You are officially lying to your professor that way.
Answer: For everything, there is a reason and an excuse. Someone could have zero time to focus on their essay because of working long hours each day. This is an excuse and valid, I think. But it's not a valid reason to cheat. Most of the students I heard that they are paying for someone to write their essay or use AI tools, are doing it because of laziness. Also, the feeling that “I can get away with it and then feel like I’m a player” is contributing a lot to their actions. The thing is that especially when it comes to a college/ university, you pay for every single course; Cheating and paying extra for an essay means to me that you are more like a victim of your own ego...
Answer: Sometimes, I've used AI tools like DeepSeek to concentrate on all the useful information I've gathered into one page. Also, when i have trouble understanding a theory i might use AI to help me understand it more clearly. But it doesn’t work all the time. I don’t like to use AI tools straight forward to my own essay because I believe I can make it on my own and don’t really appreciate the idea that a robot can do my work while I have a brain and ideas. My professors can evaluate my work in the draft papers, and that way I can get more intel about what I should improve or keep doing in my essay for my final version.
Alex
And I almost feel I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
* Adapted from "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823)
Alex Jeikner, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor, English and Modern Language Department, American College of Greece – Deree.
Ilias Malamos is Sophomore Undergraduate student, Department of Marketing and School of Business, American College of Greece – Deree.
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