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AI-Generated Content in Academic Coursework: A Case Study
The rapid proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, in academic environments presents unique challenges and opportunities for educators and students alike. This article explores a case study from an Engineering Capstone Design Course for Electrical and Software Engineering where AI-generated content in some student team reports raised concerns. This article presents insights into handling AI-generated content in students work, and my approach to addressing challenges while emphasizing transparency, ethical use, and academic integrity.
The Course
During the Fall 2023 semester, I coordinated the first part of a two-semester capstone design project course where students are tasked with producing substantial engineering reports. The capstone design project, which is a critical component of the students final-year curriculum, had 156 students divided into 39 teams, each comprising four students. The deliverables in the Fall semester includes two reports: the first report focuses on the problem identification, research on related solutions, and requirements specification; and the second report focuses on concept design generation and prototyping.
From the outset, I proactively addressed generative AI tools in the very first class emphasizing their ethical use. I informed students that while the use of such tools was permitted in the course, it is necessary to disclose and adhere to transparent citation practices. I demonstrated to the students my daily use of the tool, illustrating how it enhances productivity by brainstorming, creating outlines, and refining a message tone, while emphasizing to never directly copy and paste. Additionally, I provided them with our library resources on Citing Generative AI and ChatGPT, as well as an my article on Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI, setting the course environment for honest and ethical academic behaviour in the generative AI era.
Initial Findings
Despite the initial guidelines, the submitted reports revealed a significant variance in the extent and acknowledgment of AI-generated content. Utilizing Turnitin at the time of submission, a similarity detection service that includes AI content detection, I identified…
