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Can A.I. Be Your New TA?

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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 33

Poster presentation
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Presenters

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Digital Learning Specialist
Denton Independent School District
@doctorodyssey
@doctor_odyssey
ISTE Certified Educator
Dr. Joshua Tabor is a digital learning specialist and district esports lead in Denton Independent School District in Denton, Texas. He has been in education for over 22 years where, prior to his current role, he taught high school social studies and coached volleyball and softball. His research fields include effective online learning, blended learning, and gamification. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas in the department of Learning Technologies. Joshua lives in McKinney, Texas with his wife, Amanda, son, Braxton, and four furry children. (2 cats, 2 dogs)

Session description

In our district, we undertook a research project across five high schools, assessing the effectiveness of AI-graded English papers compared to teacher grading. Join our session to discover if AI can be a valuable ally to educators, potentially freeing up their time for more impactful teaching activities.

Framework

This research was conducted within the framework of mixed methods research and adopts a social constructivist perspective. This framework was selected because it allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. Qualitative data was collected through teacher surveys, which provided valuable insights into their impressions and opinions. Additionally, quantitative data in the form of rubric scores was gathered for comparative analysis. This mixed methods approach enabled a well-rounded exploration of the research questions by considering both the subjective experiences of teachers and objective data for validation

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Methods

Data Collection:
For this study, we began by selecting a sample of 30 student essays from various campuses within the school district. These essays were chosen based on their relevance to our research topic, specifically discussing the impact of the book '1984' from junior English courses.

Participant Selection:
To gather teacher input, we designed a pre-survey to understand their initial impressions of AI grading and AI technology in general. With the assistance of the district English coordinator, we reached out to teachers across the district, and participation was entirely voluntary. Those who chose to participate were asked to use a rubric to grade the selected essays as they would any other student work. Importantly, the identity of the papers was concealed from the teachers.

Grading Process:
While teachers were grading the essays, the researcher entered both the rubric scores and the essays into the generative AI model, ChatGPT. The results from ChatGPT's grading were recorded alongside the teachers' scores.

Analysis:
Upon completion of the grading process, we conducted a comparative analysis to assess the level of agreement between AI grading and teachers' grading. This comparison was based on specific grading criteria and statistical analyses, the details of which are available in the study's supplementary materials. The results were shared with the teachers and a post-survey was conducted to gather their final opinions.

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Results

My results will not be complete until the end of the first semester of school, mid-December. I anticipate that the AI's scores for the papers will, on average, be lower compared to those graded by the teachers. This expectation is based on the consideration that AI grading is not influenced by factors such as fatigue, distraction, or individual teacher bias. While these factors may affect teacher grading, AI grading remains consistent and objective. Additionally, the removal of teacher-student familiarity, which often impacts teacher grading, further contributes to the expected variance in scores.

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Importance

The educational and scientific importance of this study lies in its response to the evolving landscape of education technology, where generative AI is increasing in usage. This study holds valuable insights for ISTE attendees, offering them a glimpse into the possibilities and implications of incorporating generative AI into educational practices.

By conducting this research, we aim to provide ISTE attendees with a nuanced understanding of how generative AI can, possibly, be effectively utilized in the grading process. If the experiment demonstrates a substantial similarity between AI and teacher grading, it can spark discussions among educators on how AI can serve as a supportive tool in their grading workflows while preserving the essential role of the teacher. Conversely, if the experiment reveals significant differences in grading outcomes, it will signal a cautionary note, suggesting that teachers may need to exercise discretion in adopting AI-based grading solutions. Ultimately, this study empowers educators to make informed decisions about integrating AI into their teaching practices, ensuring that it aligns with their pedagogical goals and the best interests of students.

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References

Original research

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Session specifications

Topic:
Artificial Intelligence
Grade level:
6-12
Audience:
Curriculum/district specialists, Professional developers, Teachers
Attendee devices:
Devices not needed
ISTE Standards:
For Coaches:
Collaborator
  • Personalize support for educators by planning and modeling the effective use of technology to improve student learning.
Professional Learning Facilitator
  • Evaluate the impact of professional learning and continually make improvements in order to meet the schoolwide vision for using technology for high-impact teaching and learning.