How Big of A Problem Are ChatGPT Essays in Top Private Schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At DC's school, they run essays through some sort of originality generator (reverse AI - lol!).

Teacher here. These AI checkers aren’t reliable. Version history is much better, but it still isn’t perfect. Students have figured out that cutting/pasting is obvious so they simply transcribe from AI.

In-class writing is really the only way to guarantee authentic work.

[Anonymous]

Our school is using more in class writing, and also asking for more oral defense of their written work. I really really support this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is using more in class writing, and also asking for more oral defense of their written work. I really really support this.

The extra “really” was a typo 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, apparently it is to the poster I was responding to in the first place. They literally said it was too demanding to have a student complete a test/essay in one class to prevent the help of AI and that tests/essays should instead be broken up over several classes.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect teachers to break up in class tests/essays over several days so it won't be too difficult for students who would be expected to get it done in 50 minutes. I think class time should be used for instruction and learning of that material should be assessed in a test or in-class writing assignment for one class period. Students who need accommodations for more time should take the steps with their parents to ensure they have them. The entire class should not need to be paced for those that need additional time or other support.

And yet you do not seem to comprehend the logistical consequences of what you are demanding.

There is no simple solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, apparently it is to the poster I was responding to in the first place. They literally said it was too demanding to have a student complete a test/essay in one class to prevent the help of AI and that tests/essays should instead be broken up over several classes.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect teachers to break up in class tests/essays over several days so it won't be too difficult for students who would be expected to get it done in 50 minutes. I think class time should be used for instruction and learning of that material should be assessed in a test or in-class writing assignment for one class period. Students who need accommodations for more time should take the steps with their parents to ensure they have them. The entire class should not need to be paced for those that need additional time or other support.

And yet you do not seem to comprehend the logistical consequences of what you are demanding.

There is no simple solution.

People who have never run a classroom are very easy to spot here. They have quick, tidy solutions for everything and can't imagine any problems.

It's comical. I just tune them out.

[Anonymous]

Since many essays are done in class by hand, it can be quite obvious to teachers, some of whom have had the student in prior years as well, when an at home essay is way off from the kid's voice and usual abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure about other top privates, but at ours (Basis Independent McLean) the faculty has done a great job adapting to AI and structuring assignments in ways that avoid the pitfalls that kids might fall into

What exactly are those "ways that avoid the pitfalls that kids might fall into"?

You teach critical thinking, analysis, prompting, proofreading, and tone alongside AI usage. You teach kids trust but verify.

[Anonymous]

Im all for going back to Blue Books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent I have looked at chat GPT and I wish teachers would incorporate it. After all, they usually allow Grammarly. Chat GPT is actually not a great writer and there could be a lot of teaching that would come with explaining why a specific revision improved or didn’t improve the paper. It works best for short iterative revisions as opposed to composition or revisions of full papers as the program gets off track easily. The student needs all relevant quotes and evidence. ChatGPT is notorious for making up facts.

Teacher here. I often use ChatGPT and Grammarly as examples of what we should AVOID in our writing.

ChatGPT almost always lists in threes… three reasons, three adjectives, etc. It’s overdone and excessively wordy. Grammarly often makes poor suggestions.

Just because teachers haven’t chimed in doesn’t mean this instruction isn’t happening. Many of us are incorporating AI and many of us attend workshops because AI is always evolving. This is our profession and we are staying informed.

lol! My prep boarding school would drill the law of threes into us. Every essay needed to be supported by three pieces of evidence etc. Drove us nuts. This was back in the typewriter and white out era.

[Anonymous]

Our school allows use of AI to a certain extent. Using AI for researching is allowed, but using AI to write any portion of the essay is not allowed. Email we received said so, so the school is embracing AI but at the same time still requiring students to work hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school allows use of AI to a certain extent. Using AI for researching is allowed, but using AI to write any portion of the essay is not allowed. Email we received said so, so the school is embracing AI but at the same time still requiring students to work hard.

Fairly certain all schools say AI is not allowed in writing, but kids are doing it anyway.

[Anonymous]

This is quite sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So typical.

?

When discussing bad behavior like cheating, bullying, vaping, etc., many posters on this forum say that it’s just typical of all ES/MS/HS kids, private and public. That the schools have no control and that’s just the way it is. When it comes to good behavior, private school students are sooo far above public school kids and their schools are magical places full of wonderful, tippy top students and faculty and staff, and of course, parents. And don’t you dare bring public school kids into the discussion.

Mmm hmm.

The relevant question isn't whether it's happening both in private and public, but whether [problem X] is more prevalent at one vs. the other.

And who might actually be collecting that data in a standardized format across school categories? Pssst the answer is no one.

But if you just want to make up something to satisfy your predetermined narrative, feel free…

[Anonymous]

Because there's data supporting your predetermined narrative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, apparently it is to the poster I was responding to in the first place. They literally said it was too demanding to have a student complete a test/essay in one class to prevent the help of AI and that tests/essays should instead be broken up over several classes.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect teachers to break up in class tests/essays over several days so it won't be too difficult for students who would be expected to get it done in 50 minutes. I think class time should be used for instruction and learning of that material should be assessed in a test or in-class writing assignment for one class period. Students who need accommodations for more time should take the steps with their parents to ensure they have them. The entire class should not need to be paced for those that need additional time or other support.

And yet you do not seem to comprehend the logistical consequences of what you are demanding.

There is no simple solution.

I would never expect my DC, who his miners LDs and ADHD, to hold up their class. It is the responsibility of the teacher and learning specialist to figure out how to manage extra time BEFORE the next class. This situation is a systemic situation so you ought to bring issue to the admin and not the teacher.