In 2025, blue books made a surprising comeback in colleges. Professors turned to these familiar, sky-blue booklets as a way to curb cheating by keeping students from using AI tools like ChatGPT during exams. However, experts suggest this may not be effective. New AI technologies, like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses with an integrated assistant, can assist students discreetly. Imagine a student in the back of the class whispering for help while wearing these glasses. “Do we ban glasses next?” asks Luke Hobson from MIT. He raises a valid point about relying solely on old methods to keep students honest.
AI is everywhere. Students can get help from wearable tech like smartwatches or even explore brain-computer interfaces from companies like Neuralink, which are in early testing. These advancements let users interact with devices just by thinking. “Students can take courses with AI tools embedded in browsers,” Hobson adds, emphasizing a need for fresh assessment strategies rather than just searching for AI among student work.
Experts have found that relying on detection tools for AI-generated writing is nearly impossible. Instead, educators should focus on engaging students with diverse teaching methods to motivate learning. Hobson expresses this shift, advocating for innovative assessments that combine creativity with critical thinking. He’s developed methods like recorded journals, where students share their learning experiences and connect them to real life. They also engage in peer interviews, fostering collaboration.
Oral assessments are making a comeback too. By discussing their work in real-time with professors, students face challenges they can’t sidestep with AI. This ancient method is effective, as it demands genuine understanding and communication. Meanwhile, Hobson’s strategy of having students critique AI helps demystify technology and show them its limitations, easing fears about job security in the age of artificial intelligence.
Hands-on projects are also a stronghold against AI in education. Leon Furze, a Ph.D. candidate from Deakin University, highlights that many practical fields resist AI’s influence. “You can’t rely on AI to do tasks like carpentry or electrical work,” he notes. This hands-on approach emphasizes skills that machines can’t replicate.
Carlo Rotella, a Boston College professor, chooses not to ban AI outright. He believes focusing on in-class interaction is more effective. “The time we spend together is crucial,” he explains. Rotella encourages participation and requires students to engage deeply with the material, suggesting that AI cannot replace rich classroom discussions. By limiting technology in class, he ensures students focus on learning from each other.
Furze agrees that personal connections with students can help identify shifts in their writing style, possibly revealing AI usage. Building relationships makes it easier to encourage authentic engagement. He emphasizes the importance of consistent practice in learning. As Rotella puts it, “Joining a track team but riding a scooter around the track isn’t practicing.”
In an age of rapid technological change, educators must balance the integration of AI with enriching traditional learning methods. Engaging students in hands-on, thoughtful, and innovative assessments can create a meaningful educational experience that technology simply can’t replicate.
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