College Professors Turn Back to Blue Books to Combat ChatGPT...
As college students use ChatGPT to complete take-home tests, finish homework, and write essays, professors are using blue books. Blue books are inexpensive, stapled exam booklets with a blue cover and lightly lined pages, to ChatGPT-proof the classroom. According to The Wall Street Journal, the demand for blue books has increased significantly. They cost 23 cents apiece in campus bookstores and were first introduced in the late 1920s.
Increasing Demand for Blue Books
Blue book sales have seen a surge in recent years. Texas A&M University reported a sales increase of more than 30%, while the University of Florida and the University of California, Berkeley, saw sales rise by nearly 50% and 80%, respectively, over the past two years. Roaring Spring Paper Products, the primary manufacturer of blue books, mentioned to the Journal that sales have picked up due to the use of AI, as professors opt for these traditional books for in-person exams in a classroom setting.
Impact on Academic Integrity
Kevin Elliott, a lecturer at Yale University, transitioned from at-home essays to blue books after discovering students using AI to complete assignments. Elliott observed instances of AI-generated content, such as fabricated quotes from renowned philosophers, in student papers. Implementing blue book exams resulted in improved academic integrity, prompting Elliott to continue using this method for the upcoming academic year.
Concerns Over AI Tools
Many university leaders express concerns about the rise of AI tools leading to increased cheating. A survey by the American Association of Colleges and Universities and Elon University revealed that 59% of university leaders reported a rise in cheating since the widespread availability of AI tools. The survey also indicated that over half of these leaders believe faculty struggle to differentiate between AI-generated work and student-written submissions.
Adapting to Technology
Despite the pushback against AI use in academia, some professors acknowledge the potential benefits of familiarizing students with tools like ChatGPT. Arthur Spirling, a politics professor at Princeton University, finds it peculiar to restrict ChatGPT in classrooms when students may encounter it in future professional settings.
Conclusion
As educators navigate the challenges posed by AI technologies like ChatGPT, the debate over maintaining academic integrity while preparing students for the digital age continues. Whether through traditional methods like blue books or innovative approaches, the evolving landscape of education emphasizes the importance of ethical use and adaptation to emerging technologies.
