Far Eastern University (FEU) and Turnitin have partnered to host a forum and roundtable discussion on AI technology’s challenges and opportunities. The event emphasized the role of educators in using AI competence to improve teaching pedagogy and enhance learning experiences. Turnitin, a leading educational technology company, uses AI writing detection solutions to promote academic integrity and is integrated into FEU’s Canvas Learning Management System.
“AI is not here to replace us; humanity in education is still here and should be here… Instead, we can embrace AI to help our students unlock their potential for their limitless opportunities. We should be the pioneers of change. We have the power to reshape, reinvent, and rethink education because we are teachers,” said Richmond Riyadhen Lim, FEU Education Technology Coordinator.
During the event, Lim and FEU Education Technology Director Catherine Catamora and other academic leaders and faculty members from different schools converged with Turnitin’s international team to discuss best AI practices and limitations in assisting teaching and learning.
Recently, FEU released a set of guidelines on the responsible and ethical use of AI for its faculty and students.
While AI can assist academic writing in various ways, a consensus emerged among the event participants that learning to write independently remains a critical skill. This is where faculty and teacher intervention and guidance become crucial, especially in providing student feedback and assessment.
One of the ways that Turnitin can assist teachers in providing feedback is by utilizing the platform’s Similarity Report feature, which scans student outputs and compares them to a more extensive database of student work and materials. This tool helps detect academic misconduct and empowers educators to identify areas where students may need additional support through constructive feedback.
Continuous evaluation and personalized instruction from educators play a vital role in helping students understand the value of their work and the importance of personal effort in their academic journey.
In the Philippines, the ongoing conversation on teachers’ workload centers on the heavy volume of administrative tasks they are expected to perform. A paper published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies highlighted that administrative workload takes away teachers’ focus on teaching.
While it cannot fully address the problem, adopting AI can alleviate tasks such as lesson planning and output assessment, enabling teachers to focus more on engaging with students and providing personalized instruction.
However, FEU warns that educators must not forget the value of authentic assessment, which can only be provided when they fully understand their students’ skills and abilities. While AI can assist, educators are encouraged to use it prudently concerning data reliability and integrity.
The exclusive forum hosted by Turnitin and FEU marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about the ethical use of AI within the academic community. As AI continues to influence the future of learning, FEU remains dedicated to fostering an environment where innovation coexists with academic integrity.
