Cornell Faculty Address AI's Impact on Academic Integrity and Student Learning

Cornell University is tackling one of higher education's most pressing challenges: how generative AI is reshaping academic integrity and classroom assessment. The university's Provost's Working Group on Innovation in Assessment will host a comprehensive event on November 12 to share practical strategies for faculty and students.

What Faculty Are Learning About AI in Education

Since ChatGPT's launch in late 2022, Cornell professors have been rethinking how they design assignments and evaluate student work. Rob Vanderlan, executive director of Cornell's Center for Teaching Innovation, notes that AI has pushed faculty to create assignments that truly motivate students to engage in meaningful learning rather than just complete tasks.

The event will feature keynote speaker M. Elizabeth Karns, who has developed practical recommendations for faculty on communicating AI expectations to students and responding to potential academic integrity violations.

Innovative Assessment Approaches Taking Shape

Two Cornell professors will share how they've transformed their teaching methods:

Tim Riley (Mathematics): Replaced traditional prelims and finals with homework portfolios and retakable quizzes, allowing students to improve their understanding over time.

Kate Navickas (Writing): Uses labor-based grading contracts that credit students for their work and improvement during revision, rather than just grading final products.

Building Student Responsibility

The focus isn't just on preventing cheating—it's about fostering genuine ownership of learning. Karns has created a Canvas course module to help students reflect on their personal values and academic goals.

The working group recently published new case studies showcasing novel assessment approaches developed by Cornell faculty over the past year.

This conversation reflects a broader shift in higher education—moving from AI as a threat to AI as a catalyst for more authentic, engaging learning experiences.

🔗 Full Article on Cornell Chronicle