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How can instructors support academic integrity in the era of artificial intelligence?

This was the top concern shared at the faculty and staff town hall hosted by the Artificial Intelligence Learning and Teaching Task Force (AILTFF) last September. 

The AILTFF is now in the process of developing resources to help instructors navigate this challenge—but in the meantime, biology instructor and AILTFF member Agata Becalska emphasizes the power of transparency as a preventative measure when it comes to academic dishonesty.

“We are all going to come to different conclusions when it comes to what we think is an appropriate use of generative AI in our courses and teaching. But one thing that I think all faculty can do is communicate with students about the rationale behind those decisions so that they understand why we are asking them to behave in a certain way. This type of transparency is what will build a shared value around academic integrity—which in the end is the most powerful tool to reduce cheating.�

SFU’s academic integrity coordinator and task force member Arlette Stewart says that instructors should also be aware of what to do if, despite these preventative measures, a suspected violation has occurred. The good news: they don’t need to do it alone.

“Supporting academic integrity should foster a recognition amongst students that instructors will uphold fair grading in their class. If you are unsure how to follow up on a suspected infraction, reach out to me to discuss the case and what possible next steps are—there are guidelines and indicators that can help you consider the probability that generative AI has been used in ways that violate your course policies.�

Stewart adds that instructors can also reach out to their local academic integrity advisors.

“If you prefer to talk to someone from within your discipline, you can also contact your department’s academic integrity advisor, a faculty member who is familiar with the process of reporting violations that can provide you with suggestions on how to move forward. If you don’t know who that person is, ask your chair.�

More information about what instructors can do if they suspect a student has cheated, plagiarized or colluded on a course assignment is available in a two-page handout produced by the Registrar, the Faculty Guide: How to support academic integrity at SFU (and report suspected dishonesty.

If you have questions related to supporting academic integrity at SFU, contact Arlette Stewart at aic_sfu@sfu.ca.

Learn more about the AILTFF here.