Students fight back over course taught by AI
2 days ago
- #student-frustration
- #university-policies
- #AI-in-education
- Students at the University of Staffordshire feel 'robbed of knowledge and enjoyment' after their digital careers course was largely taught by AI.
- The coding module, part of a government-funded apprenticeship, was intended to train cybersecurity experts or software engineers but relied heavily on AI-generated slides and voiceovers.
- Students confronted university officials multiple times about the AI materials, but the university continues to use them, even justifying it in a policy statement.
- University policies restrict students from using AI for their work, creating a double standard where faculty can use AI for teaching.
- James, a student, expressed frustration over wasting two years on a course he felt was done 'in the cheapest way possible.'
- AI-generated materials included inconsistencies like American English mixed with British English, generic information, and even a sudden switch to a Spanish accent in a lecture.
- AI detectors confirmed that many assignments and presentations had a 'very high likelihood of being AI-generated.'
- Students voiced their concerns in recorded lectures, with one saying, 'I do not want to be taught by GPT.'
- The university defended its use of AI, stating it supports 'the responsible and ethical use of digital technologies' while maintaining academic standards.
- Despite bringing in human lecturers for the final session, students felt it was 'too little, too late,' with Owen calling the course a 'waste of time.'