Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, Bard, and DALL-E, and their usage in higher education nationally has been a growing area of concern.
Generative AI tools are a class of algorithms that generate new and unique outputs and have been in the news for their advanced natural language processing capabilities. They can generate human-like text and assist in tasks such as writing, research, creating computer code, and language translation among other tasks. These tools can generate various types of content based on input data and parameters, including text, images, voice, music, computer code, etc.
Although AI tools like ChatGPT offer new possibilities for innovation in teaching and research, they also present possible challenges. As the availability of these tools increases, so does their usage by students to complete assignments, provide answers to tests, generate creative content, etc. While these tools may be used positively related to education, there is a concern that higher education institutions may see a rise in students using these tools to engage in academic misconduct without proper citation or attribution. However, generative AI tools are here to stay and will evolve rapidly in the coming years.
In response to generative AI, Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University has formed a working group as of Summer 2023 (led by CTET with partners including Academic Senate leadership, the Writing Center, and the Student Conduct Office) to study the issues and implications of these AI tools, and its activities will include the following over the coming year:
- As CTET has announced separately, the system-wide contract for the TurnItIn Academic Integrity suite will end in early 2024. As such, SSU will be leading a multi-campus pilot of alternatives to provide comparison with TurnItIn. This pilot will be supervised by the Academic Senate’s Academic Technology & Instructional Spaces Subcommittee (ATISS). This pilot program will also include review of AI generated content detectors that are now a part of the features provided by TurnItIn and their competitors. Faculty interested in participating in this pilot are encouraged to reach out to CTET (email: ctet@sonoma.edu).
- A series of professional development workshops (see offerings at bottom of this page) will be hosted by CTET and partners on a variety of topics related to AI in education including, assignment creation, student centric approaches to academic integrity concerns, and teaching both writing and research with AI. Look for a separate announcement regarding the schedule.
- We recognize that not all faculty are in the same place when it comes to how best to approach generative AI in your courses, so we have developed a selection of sample syllabus statements you may wish to consider including or adapting for your own classes.
Teaching Resources
Communications to Campus
- Provost Email to All Employees from Tue, Jan 19, 2024 " Sonoma State Approach to Generative AI"
- Provost & VP of Student Affairs Email to All Students from Tue, Jan 22, 2024 "Student Use of Generative AI"
Recordings and Resources from Past Events
- Demystifying ChatGPT, by Matthew Paolucci and Kyle Falbo
- AI & Academic Dishonesty, by Matthew Paolucci
- AI & Academic Dishonesty Slide Deck, by Matthew Paolucci
- Teaching Research in the Age of AI, by Kaitlin Springmier & University Librarians