With artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT becoming more accessible to students, classrooms across the country are changing, including here at Mount Pisgah. Teachers are beginning to rethink assignments, assessments and academic honesty as AI becomes more common.

Math teacher Mr. Denham and Bible teacher Dr. Varner shared their perspectives on how AI is affecting their classrooms.

Denham said AI has not significantly changed the assignments he gives students, since many math problems could already be solved with technology.

“In math, it hasn’t changed my assignments at all,” Denham said. “I know students use these tools at home, but they cannot use them during class. When test time comes around, I’ll know who learned only with AI instead of putting in the hard work.”

Instead, he focuses on making sure students show their thinking.

“I still require students to show all their work before arriving at a solution. No work. No credit,” said Denham.

Denham believes AI presents both challenges and opportunities for students, but real knowledge will still matter.

“When it comes down to interviewing for a job…one candidate actually knows what they’re doing while the other doesn’t. I know who will get the job,” said Denham.

Varner said AI has influenced some of the assignments he gives students. In response, he has incorporated more handwritten essays to help ensure students are developing their own ideas.

“With AI in mind, I have assigned more handwritten essays than I ever have before,” Varner said.

However, he also believes AI can be useful when used correctly.

“AI is a great and useful tool, but it is not a replacement for real thinking and originality,” Varner said.

Some students say they use AI as a learning tool when working on homework.

“I use ChatGPT on homework assignments to either help me with a problem I’m stuck on or teach me how to do it,” said freshman Sam Olivera.

As AI continues to grow, teachers and students alike are learning how to adapt and use the technology responsibly.