Tag Archives: Discontent

University Professors Utilize ChatGPT, Sparking Student Discontent

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In February, Ella Stapleton, a senior at Northeastern University, was going over her notes from an organizational behavior class when she stumbled upon something unusual. Was that a ChatGPT question from her professor?

Within a document created by her business professor for a leadership model lesson, she noticed instructions to chat “Expand all areas. More in depth and concrete.” Following these instructions was a list of leadership traits, both positive and negative, complete with definitions and bullet points.

Stapleton texted a classmate.

“Did you see the notes he uploaded to Canvas?” she asked, referring to the university’s software for course materials. “He created it using ChatGPT.”

“OMG STOP,” her classmate responded. “What’s going on?”

Curious, Stapleton began to investigate. She went through the professor’s slides and discovered more signs of AI involvement: inconsistencies in the text, skewed images, and glaring mistakes.

She was frustrated. Given the school’s tuition and reputation, she expected a high-quality education. This course was crucial for her business major. The syllabus clearly prohibited “academic fraudulent activities,” including the misuse of AI and chatbots.

“He tells us not to use it, yet he uses it himself,” she remarked.

Stapleton lodged a formal complaint with Northeastern’s business school, citing the inappropriate use of AI and other concerns about teaching methods, demanding a refund of the tuition for that class, which was over $8,000—about a quarter of her semester’s total.

When ChatGPT launched in late 2022, it created a whirlwind of concern across educational institutions It’s incredibly easy. Students tasked with writing essays could easily let the tool handle it in mere seconds. Some institutions banned it, while others introduced AI detection services, despite concerns about their accuracy.

However, the tide has turned. Nowadays, students are scrutinizing professors for their heavy reliance on AI, voicing complaints on platforms that analyze course content, using terms like “ChatGPT is” essential” and “algorithmic.” They call out hypocrisy and make financial arguments, insisting they deserve instruction from humans—not algorithms they can access for free.

On the other side, professors have claimed they use AI chatbots as a means to enhance education. An instructor interviewed by The New York Times stated that the chatbot streamlined their workload and acted as an automated teaching assistant.

The number of educators using these tools is on the rise. In a National Survey conducted last year, 18% of over 1,800 higher education instructors identified as frequent users of generative AI tools. This year’s follow-up surveys have nearly doubled that figure, according to Tyton Partners, the consultancy behind the study. AI companies are eager to facilitate this shift, with startups like OpenAI and Anthropic recently releasing enterprise versions of chatbots designed specifically for educational institutions.

(The Times is suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, as the company allegedly used news content without permission.)

Generative AI is clearly here to stay, yet universities are grappling with adapting to evolving standards. Professors are navigating this learning curve and, like Stapleton’s instructor, often misinterpret the risks of technology and student negligence.

Last fall, 22-year-old Marie submitted a three-page essay for her online anthropology course at Southern New Hampshire University. Upon checking her grades on the school’s platform, she was pleased to see an A. However, in the comments, her professor made multiple references to using ChatGPT, which included a grading rubric meant for chatbots and a request for “great feedback” for Marie.

“To me, it felt like the professor didn’t even read my work,” Marie shared, asking to remain anonymous. She noted that the temptation to lean on AI in academia was like having a “third job” for many instructors managing numerous students.

Marie confronted her professor during a Zoom meeting about this issue. The professor claimed that they had read her essays but used ChatGPT as an approved guide.

Robert McAuslan, Vice President of AI at Southern New Hampshire, expressed that schools should embrace AI’s potential to revolutionize education, emphasizing guidelines for faculty and students to “ensure this technology enhances creativity rather than replaces it.” A do’s and don’ts were recommended to encourage authentic, human-focused feedback among teachers utilizing tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly.

“These tools should not replace the work,” Dr. McAuslan stated. “Instead, they should enhance an already established process.”

After encountering a second professor who also appeared to provide AI-generated feedback, Marie opted to transfer to another university.

Paul Schoblin, an English professor at Ohio University in Athens, empathized with her frustration. “I’m not a huge fan of that,” Dr. Schoblin remarked after hearing about Marie’s experience. He also holds a position as an AI Faculty Fellow, tasked with developing effective strategies to integrate AI in teaching and learning.

“The real value you add as an educator comes from the feedback you provide to your students,” he noted. “It’s the personal connection we foster with our students, as they are directly impacted by our words.“

Though advocating for the responsible integration of AI in education, Dr. Schoblin asserted that it shouldn’t merely simplify instructors’ lives. Students must learn to utilize technology ethically and responsibly. “If mistakes happen, the repercussions could lead to job loss,” he warned.

He cited a recent incident where a Vanderbilt University School of Education official responded to a mass shooting at another university. An email sent to students emphasized community bonds. However, a sentence disclosed that ChatGPT was used to compose it. Students criticized the outsourcing of empathy, prompting involved parties to temporarily resign.

However, not all situations are straightforward. Dr. Schoblin remarked that establishing reasonable rules is challenging, as acceptable AI usage can differ based on the subject. His department’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment has instead emphasized principles regarding the integration of AI, specifically eschewing a “one-size-fits-all” algorithm.

The Times reached out to numerous professors whose students had noted AI usage in online reviews. Some instructors admitted to using ChatGPT to create quizzes for computer science programming assignments, even as students reported that these quizzes didn’t always make sense. They also used it for organizing feedback or to make it more positive. As experts in their fields, they noted instances of AI “hallucinations,” where false information was generated.

There was no consensus among them on what practices were acceptable. Some educators utilized ChatGPT to assist students in reflecting on their work, while others denounced such practices. Some stressed the importance of maintaining transparency with students regarding generative AI use, while others opted to conceal their usage due to student wariness about technology.

Nevertheless, most felt that Stapleton’s experience at Northeastern—where her professor appeared to use AI for generating class notes and slides—was unjustifiable. That was Dr. Schoblin’s view, provided the professor edited the AI outputs to fit his expertise. He likened it to the longstanding practice in academia of utilizing content from third-party publishers, such as lesson plans and case studies.

Professors using AI for slide generation are considered “some sort of monsters.” “It’s absurd to me,” he remarked.

Christopher Kwaramba, a business professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, referred to ChatGPT as a time-saving partner. He mentioned that lesson plans that once required days to create could now be completed in mere hours. He employs it to generate datasets for fictional retail chains used in exercises designed to help students grasp various statistical concepts.

“I see it as the age of steroid calculators,” Dr. Kwaramba stated.

Dr. Kwaramba noted that support hours for students are increasing.

Conversely, other professors, such as Harvard’s David Malan, reported that AI diminished student attendance during office hours. Dr. Malan, a computer science professor, integrated a custom AI chatbot into his popular introductory programming course, allowing hundreds of students access for assistance with coding assignments.

Dr. Malan had to refine his approach to ensure that chatbots only offer guidance, not complete answers. Most of the 500 students surveyed in 2023 found the resource beneficial, particularly in its inaugural year.

By freeing up common inquiries about referral materials during office hours, Dr. Malan and his teaching assistant can now focus on meaningful interactions with students, like weekly lunches and hackathons. “These are more memorable moments and experiences,” Dr. Malan reflected.

Katy Pearce, a communications professor at the University of Washington, developed a tailored AI chatbot trained on prior assignments she assessed, enabling students to receive feedback on their writing mimicking her style at any hour, day or night. This is particularly advantageous for those hesitant to seek help.

“Can we foresee a future where many graduate teaching assistants might be replaced by AI?” she pondered. “Yes, absolutely.”

What implications would this have on the future pipeline for professors emerging from the Teaching Assistant ranks?

“That will undoubtedly pose a challenge,” Dr. Pearce concluded.

After filing her complaint with Northeastern, Stapleton participated in several meetings with business school officials. In May, the day after graduation, she learned that her tuition reimbursement wouldn’t be granted.

Her professor, Rick Arrowwood, expressed regret about the incident. Dr. Arrowwood, an adjunct with nearly two decades of teaching experience, spoke about using class materials, claiming that AI tools provided a “fresh perspective” on ChatGPT, search engine confusion, and presentation generators labeled Gamma. Initially, he mentioned that the outputs appeared impressive.

“In hindsight, I wish I had paid closer attention,” he commented.

While he shared materials online with students, he clarified that he had not used them during class sessions, only recognizing the errors when school officials inquired about them.

This awkward episode prompted him to understand that faculty members must be more cautious with AI and be transparent with students about its usage. Northeastern recently established an official AI policy that mandates attribution every time an AI system is employed and requires a review of output for “accuracy and quality.” A Northeastern spokesperson stated that the institution aims to “embrace the use of artificial intelligence to enhance all facets of education, research, and operations.”

“I cover everything,” Dr. Arrowwood asserted. “If my experience can serve as a learning opportunity for others, then that’s my happy place.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Maryland’s Sewage Sludge Fertilizer: Virginians Express Discontent.

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In 2023, Maryland sewage treatment facilities began uncovering alarming issues. Hazardous “forever chemicals” were detected in the state’s wastewater, with many being converted into fertilizers and distributed across agricultural land.

To safeguard its food and drinking water, Maryland has started to limit the application of fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. Meanwhile, Synagro, a prominent manufacturer of sludge fertilizers, is seeking approval to expand their usage across state lines in Virginia.

Environmentalists, fishing associations, and some farmers are opposing this movement, arguing that the pollution poses a significant risk to farmland and delicate waterways that nourish the Potomac River.

“These sewage sludge fertilizers are coming to Virginia because they’re deemed unsafe for Maryland farms,” stated Dean Naujox from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, who advocates for clean water. “This is unacceptable.”

Virginia is finding itself entangled in a rising national trend as it scrambles to address the spiraling farmland pollution crisis.

In Virginia, Synagro, a key player in providing sludge for fertilizer, is requesting permission to increase its sludge applications in rural areas, based on local accounts. Synagro operates under the Goldman Sachs Investment Fund.

In a statement, Kip Cleverley, Synagro’s Chief Sustainability Officer, noted that the presence of trace levels of PFAS does not necessarily indicate contamination. He emphasized that the company’s expansion into Virginia is independent of Maryland’s guidelines.

According to industry reports, over 2 million tons of dry sewage sludge were utilized on 4.6 million acres of farmland in 2018. Farmers estimate they have secured permission to apply sewage sludge on nearly 70 million acres, or about one-fifth of U.S. agricultural land.

However, increasing research indicates that this black sludge, also known as biosolids, may contain perfluoroalkyl substances or substantial levels of harmful PFAs, resulting from wastewater from homes and industries. These chemicals are believed to heighten the risk for certain cancers and lead to birth defects and developmental delays in children.

For residents in areas like Virginia Gardens, the historical birthplace of George Washington, the threat feels doubly unjust. Much of the biosolids delivered across state lines originate from major urban areas like Baltimore.

The pollution that locals fear flows off farmlands into nearby rivers and streams, endangering farmers and watermen who rely on these resources.

“Water runs off the farms into the waterways,” explained Leedale, a seventh-generation waterman and owner of the Northern Neck Oyster Company, as he navigated his oyster boat through the winding tributaries of the Potomac. “And we’re experiencing substantial rainfall this season.”

His concerns are substantiated. New research published in Nature indicates that PFAS in sludge used as fertilizer can contaminate both farmland and adjacent rivers and streams.

“That stream could be part of your drinking water supply, and downstream, contaminants could accumulate in fish,” remarked Diana Oviedo Vargas, a researcher at the nonpartisan Stroud Water Research Center, who led the federally funded study. “There’s a lot we are yet to understand, but these pollutants are unquestionably reaching our surface waters.”

This presents a complex issue. While sludge fertilizers are nutrient-rich and significantly reduce the need for incineration or landfill disposal, they also counterbalance the use of synthetic fertilizers derived from fossil fuels.

Nevertheless, studies have shown that sludge can harbor pathogens and chemicals like PFAs. Synthetic PFAS compounds are commonly found in everyday items such as non-stick cookware and stain-resistant carpets, and are associated with various diseases.

The EPA regulates several pathogens and heavy metals in sludge used as fertilizers but has not established regulations for PFAs. This year, the EPA issued its first warning regarding health risks linked to PFAs in sludge fertilizers. The Biden administration also introduced the first federal drinking water standard for PFAS, asserting that virtually no safe level of these substances exists.

The absence of federal regulations regarding PFAs in sludge has shifted responsibility to states, leading to a jumble of regulations and the transfer of contaminated sludge into areas with less stringent oversight.

Maine banned the use of sludge fertilizers in 2022, resulting in some sludge being shipped out of state as local landfills could not accommodate it.

Maryland has temporarily halted new permits for sludge use as fertilizer. The Maryland Department of the Environment has also mandated PFAS testing at all sewage treatment facilities statewide. Despite treatment processes, contaminants have been detected in both wastewater and sludge, and while protocols are in place, guidelines are being established to report and dispose of high-PFAS sludge amounts.

In Virginia, groups against the importation of Maryland’s sewage are advocating for state-level PFAS regulation in sludge.

Meanwhile, data from Virginia shows that sludge from Maryland is already being transferred. An analysis by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network indicates that biosolids from 22 Maryland wastewater treatment plants have been approved for use as fertilizer in Virginia, all reporting PFAS contamination.

In Westmoreland County, Synagro is dealing with sludge from 16 plants in Maryland, all indicating PFAS contamination.

In December, Synagro applied for a permit expansion to use sludge on an additional 2,000 acres of farmland in Westmoreland. Following local feedback prompting a hearing, Synagro withdrew the application but is expected to reapply.

In Essex County, Synagro seeks to increase sludge applications over another 6,000 acres, raising this area by a third, according to their permit application.

Cleverley from Synagro assured that the biosolids applied in Virginia comply with Maryland’s PFAS standards.

Irina Karos, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, mentioned that Virginia hasn’t seen a significant increase in the amount of Maryland biosolids applied. The state is still evaluating the request for Synagro’s expansion.

Karos also stated that Virginia is unaware of any biosolids from Maryland exceeding the recommended PFAS levels. Environmental organizations counter that verifying this is challenging.

Maryland spokesman Jay Apperson emphasized that the state’s guidelines and testing protocols aim to assist utilities and farmers while prioritizing public health.

Rob Hinton, a fourth-generation farmer at Cedar Plains Farm in Heathsville, Virginia, has cultivated corn, soybeans, and other crops for 45 years. He worries that farmers in the Northern Neck are not receiving fair treatment.

“It’s tempting when people offer something for free or nearly free. I don’t blame farmers for considering it,” he remarked. “But it’s these large cities that are sending their waste to us.”

“I learned about PFAS only after discussing it with friends in the waterman community,” he shared. “I’m unsure whether Virginia has conducted adequate testing.”

Synagro actively engages with farmers and local residents. During a presentation in March, Synagro representatives, alongside Virginia Tech researchers, shared data suggesting that the PFAS levels from sludge fertilizers were significantly lower than the levels indicated in previous studies, similar to slides reviewed by The New York Times.

Synagro stated it cannot provide comprehensive research verifications since the company isn’t directly involved. The Virginia Tech researchers mentioned did not respond to requests for comments.

At a Virginia Water Management Board meeting in March, Bryant Thomas, the state’s Environmental Quality director, reported receiving 27 public comments on Synagro’s proposal to expand sludge use in Essex County. Of these, 26 expressed concerns regarding the impact of sludge on public health and wildlife, particularly shellfish.

The board subsequently requested further investigation and a report from the agency.

“I find it interesting that while Maryland is revising its regulations, they are still sending biosolids to us in Virginia,” remarked Waterboard Chair Lou Anne Jesse Wallas in an interview. “We in Virginia must remain vigilant to protect our water and our citizens.”

Experts believe Maryland’s approach is a constructive first step. However, a bill introduced to further restrict PFAs in biosolids failed at the last moment. “We are concerned about the regulatory patchwork between states,” expressed Jean Zhuang, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, an environmental nonprofit. “The federal government needs to step up.”

President Biden was poised to propose regulations limiting the discharges of PFAS by industrial facilities into wastewater. The Trump administration had previously rolled back this proposal but has recently indicated it may establish its own wastewater restrictions.

In the southern regions, the center is actively urging wastewater treatment facilities to demand local factories and industries clean up their wastewater before it reaches treatment plants. This would compel industries to manage contaminants at their sources or potentially eliminate the use of PFAs altogether, according to Zhuang.

“If a wastewater treatment plant takes action, then the industry will bear the costs of its pollution,” she noted.

On a recent evening, waterman Michael Lightfoot checked on a wire mesh cage of oysters raised in Jackson. He resides with his wife, Phyllis, in the creek. After nearly three decades in federal service, he retired in 2012 and has dedicated himself to waterman activities ever since.

Lightfoot is part of the ongoing oyster cultivation surge in Virginia, recognized as the top oyster producer on the East Coast and one of the largest in the nation. However, his proximity to the polluted farmland raises considerable concern for him. “There aren’t any farms in our waterways that aren’t discharging runoff,” he stated.

Source: www.nytimes.com