To ChatGPT or not to ChatGPT, that is the question.
In the same way that ‘Google’ has become a verb, so has ChatGPT. In the age of AI, when a fully formed essay is just a few clicks away at any given moment, the whole concept of online exams has been turned on its head.
From one point of view, it can definitely be argued that online exams have certain benefits. In an educational context, the implementation of online exams can ease some of the stress put on other resources. Rooms and halls do not have to be booked to fit an insane amount of students, invigilators do not have to be hired—from an institution’s point of view, the merits of online exams can definitely be understood. Even from a student’s perspective, the idea of online exams can be appealing—you can do it from the comfort of your own home, in your pyjamas, even in bed if you want. The options are endless.
But to me, online exams seem to be the bane of my existence. On top of the fact that there is always some kind of technical issue, the thought that I could be accused of using AI sparks a fear in me that just cannot be tamed. No amount of ‘just forget about it, you already submitted it’ pep talks calms the anxiety of wondering if you used too many em dashes in your essay. I just like proper punctuation, why should I be worried about that?
Personal grievances aside, the use of online exams in the AI age also calls into question academic integrity. Is there any point in upholding those values if they can be easily brought down by an algorithm? There’s nothing more soul crushing than hearing someone brag about how AI wrote their essay, after you spent 2 hours writing a paper you hope and pray will scrape the grade that you need. At that point, all the motivation just leaves your system. Whilst I do not believe that AI can write with the nuances that certain topics require, if an exam consists of a literal check list of things you need to achieve a specific grade, an algorithm can do that job very well.
I understand the need for online exams. Sometimes, circumstances cannot be helped, such as COVID-19. Or perhaps institutions don’t have the resources to host in-person exams. But in my opinion, they seem to cause more problems than they solve, for students and staff. In my mind, the pros do not outweigh the cons.
Give me a pen and paper, and I will move mountains. The same cannot be said about a keyboard and screen.
Photo by Levart_Photographer on Unsplash.
Related
Has AI Made Online Exams Redundant?
To ChatGPT or not to ChatGPT, that is the question.
In the same way that ‘Google’ has become a verb, so has ChatGPT. In the age of AI, when a fully formed essay is just a few clicks away at any given moment, the whole concept of online exams has been turned on its head.
From one point of view, it can definitely be argued that online exams have certain benefits. In an educational context, the implementation of online exams can ease some of the stress put on other resources. Rooms and halls do not have to be booked to fit an insane amount of students, invigilators do not have to be hired—from an institution’s point of view, the merits of online exams can definitely be understood. Even from a student’s perspective, the idea of online exams can be appealing—you can do it from the comfort of your own home, in your pyjamas, even in bed if you want. The options are endless.
But to me, online exams seem to be the bane of my existence. On top of the fact that there is always some kind of technical issue, the thought that I could be accused of using AI sparks a fear in me that just cannot be tamed. No amount of ‘just forget about it, you already submitted it’ pep talks calms the anxiety of wondering if you used too many em dashes in your essay. I just like proper punctuation, why should I be worried about that?
Personal grievances aside, the use of online exams in the AI age also calls into question academic integrity. Is there any point in upholding those values if they can be easily brought down by an algorithm? There’s nothing more soul crushing than hearing someone brag about how AI wrote their essay, after you spent 2 hours writing a paper you hope and pray will scrape the grade that you need. At that point, all the motivation just leaves your system. Whilst I do not believe that AI can write with the nuances that certain topics require, if an exam consists of a literal check list of things you need to achieve a specific grade, an algorithm can do that job very well.
I understand the need for online exams. Sometimes, circumstances cannot be helped, such as COVID-19. Or perhaps institutions don’t have the resources to host in-person exams. But in my opinion, they seem to cause more problems than they solve, for students and staff. In my mind, the pros do not outweigh the cons.
Give me a pen and paper, and I will move mountains. The same cannot be said about a keyboard and screen.
Photo by Levart_Photographer on Unsplash.
Share this:
Like this:
Related