Does Blackboard Check for AI?

Does Blackboard Check for AI? Understanding AI Detection in Learning Management Systems

As artificial intelligence AI tools like Chat GPT and other advanced language models become more integrated into education one question that has been on the minds of both students and instructors is: Does Blackboard check for AIgenerated content? With the increasing use of AI by students for writing assignments generating ideas or even completing entire tasks understanding how AI detection works in learning management systems LMS like Blackboard is crucial.

In this article we will explore whether Blackboard can check for AI generated content how AI is being used in education and what tools are available to detect AI generated work.

Does Blackboard Check for AI?

Currently Blackboard does not have builtin capabilities specifically designed to detect AI generated content such as text produced by models like Chat GPT. Blackboard is a Learning Management System LMS that allows instructors to upload assignments manage course content and grade student submissions. It provides various features like gradebooks discussion boards and plagiarism detection through Safe Assign but it does not actively check for AI authorship in student work.

The key takeaway is that Blackboard cant automatically detect AI generated content as its core functionalities are not focused on distinguishing between human written and AI written material. However there are some features and external tools that may help detect AI use indirectly or highlight suspicious patterns in submitted work.

Understanding Blackboards Current Capabilities

While Blackboard Umas  lacks specific tools to detect AI content it does offer features that indirectly address academic integrity which may help instructors identify potential issues with AI use.

1. SafeAssign: Plagiarism Detection

Blackboard includes SafeAssign a plagiarism detection tool which checks submitted work against a vast database of academic papers journals and web content. While SafeAssign is excellent at detecting direct plagiarism or instances where students have copied or paraphrased content from published sources it is not designed to identify AIgenerated content.

AI models like ChatGPT produce unique content that does not necessarily appear in SafeAssigns database. For example if a student submits an essay generated by ChatGPT SafeAssign will not flag it unless portions of the AIgenerated text match other existing works. In other words SafeAssign primarily checks for similarities to known sources but it doesnt specifically identify AIgenerated text.

2. No AISpecific Detection

AIgenerated text particularly from advanced language models like ChatGPT often exhibits a natural flow of language coherent structure and proper grammar. This makes it difficult for traditional plagiarism tools to identify. Blackboard does not yet have AIspecific detection mechanisms in place to flag text that was written by an AI. For example an essay generated by ChatGPT would look as though a human wrote it making it almost impossible for Blackboard to discern whether it was created by a machine or a person.

How Are AI Tools Being Used in Education?

Students are increasingly turning to AI tools for a variety of academic tasks from brainstorming and writing essays to answering exam questions and creating summaries. Some of the common uses of AI in education include:

1. Writing Assistance

AI writing tools like ChatGPT can generate essays research papers or creative writing based on a prompt given by the student. Students might use these tools to complete assignments more efficiently sometimes submitting AIgenerated content without significant modifications. While these tools can be helpful for drafting ideas and overcoming writers block they raise concerns when they are used to replace original thinking or bypass academic integrity rules.

2. Research Assistance

AI tools can help students quickly summarize articles research papers or topics. For example ChatGPT can explain complex concepts provide definitions or offer insights into a particular subject area. This can be a valuable resource for students seeking to understand course material better. However it can also become problematic when students use AI to complete entire assignments without engaging with the content themselves.

3. Proofreading and Editing

Many students use AIbased tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to proofread and edit their work. These tools can catch spelling errors improve sentence structure and suggest better phrasing. While this use of AI is generally considered acceptable relying too heavily on AI for editing can compromise the authenticity of a students work.

AI Detection Tools: Whats Available?

Though Blackboard doesnt directly check for AIgenerated content several thirdparty tools have been developed to help educators detect whether an assignment was written by a machine. These tools analyze patterns in writing to determine the likelihood of AI authorship. Some of the most wellknown tools include:

1. Turnitins AI Detection

Turnitin one of the most widely used plagiarism detection services has started integrating AI writing detection. In addition to identifying instances of plagiarism Turnitins AI detection tool analyzes writing patterns structure and coherence to flag potential AIgenerated content. Turnitin looks for signs such as unnatural phrasing repetitive sentence structures and inconsistencies that are often indicative of AIgenerated writing.

While Turnitin is a useful tool for spotting AIgenerated content it is not foolproof. Some AI tools such as GPT3 and ChatGPT can generate text that mimics human writing so closely that it can pass Turnitins AI detection.

2. GPTZero and Other Detection Tools

GPTZero is another emerging tool designed specifically to identify content written by AI models like ChatGPT. It works by analyzing linguistic features sentence structure and writing style to assess whether a text is likely generated by a machine. Tools like GPTZero are still in development and may not always produce accurate results but they show promise in distinguishing AIgenerated content from human writing.

3. Custom AI Detection Solutions

In some cases universities and educational institutions are developing their own AI detection solutions tailored to their specific needs. These tools may combine machine learning algorithms with traditional plagiarism detection methods to spot AIgenerated text. The effectiveness of such tools will depend on the sophistication of the AI model and the detection algorithm.

What Should Educators Do?

Although Blackboard doesnt check for AIgenerated content directly there are several steps instructors can take to encourage academic integrity and discourage the misuse of AI:

1. Provide Clear Guidelines on AI Use

Instructors should establish clear guidelines on the acceptable use of AI in coursework. For example AI tools may be allowed for brainstorming or research but using them to generate entire assignments may be prohibited. By setting expectations upfront instructors can help students understand the ethical boundaries of AI usage in academic work.

2. Use Assessment Methods That Are Less Susceptible to AI

To mitigate the risk of AI misuse instructors might consider using assessment methods that are harder for AI to complete. This includes oral presentations live discussions and inclass writing assignments that require personal reflection and critical thinking. AI tools can struggle to generate content that reflects personal experiences and deep understanding making these types of assessments more effective for testing student knowledge.

3. Monitor Submissions for Unnatural Writing Patterns

Even if AI detection tools are not available instructors can still assess the quality of student work for signs of AI involvement. If an essay seems overly generic lacks personal insight or follows an unnaturally perfect structure it could be an indication that AI was used. In such cases instructors can ask students to explain or elaborate on their work which may reveal inconsistencies or a lack of understanding.

Conclusion

To sum up Blackboard does not currently check for AIgenerated content. Its primary focus is on managing courses and providing basic tools for assignment submission grading and communication. While SafeAssign can detect plagiarism it does not detect content created by AI. However thirdparty tools like Turnitin and GPTZero are evolving to identify AIgenerated content. See more details relate to this on Saeed developer for more detail.

In the future as AI technology continues to improve Blackboard may integrate AI detection features but for now instructors need to rely on their judgment clear guidelines and emerging tools to ensure academic integrity. As AI continues to shape the educational landscape it will be important for both students and educators to navigate its use responsibly.