Statement from the editor: As mentioned in this article, you will find that Artificial Intelligence does have many advantages in the academic setting. However, here at the Brackety-Ack, we pride ourselves in writing our articles and publishing our paper without the use of ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence platforms. We urge you to be creative and train your brain to function without an overreliance on AI, and take this article into consideration. Sincerely, Kara Hopkins, News Editor
There is no doubt that the emergence of artificial intelligence has changed the way we teach college classes. But what some members of the Roanoke College community may not know is that these changes may not be all bad. Spanish professors Christine Stanley and Sarah Hord told The Brackety-Ack about how they have had to adjust to a shifting academic world with Artificial Intelligence. Professor Stanley is the fellow for the Teaching Collaborative program on campus, and Professor Hord is currently serving as the Academic Integrity Council Chair for the 2025-2026 school year.
Sometimes the changes may not be obvious to students, but professors have had to change their classroom teaching to keep students from using AI to cheat. Pen-and-paper in-class assessments make it easier for professors to tell if their students are cheating. In addition, Stanley stated that in-class writing has become increasingly more common, and some professors have resorted to creating checkpoints at each step of the writing process to ensure their students’ investment. In addition, in Stanley’s experience, some professors have found it helpful to develop assignments that are “AI resistant” by creating assignments that are personalized to in-class activities.
Although AI has arguably created more work for professors by forcing them to redesign assignments, Stanley stated that AI can also be used “behind the scenes to support the design of the class.” Professors can use AI to create practice quizzes, formative feedback, and more advanced instructional design. Stanley ensures that the privacy of her students is always protected when she uses AI to give feedback on her students’ assignments; she stated that “we don’t know where this data is stored.”
When asked if there is a consensus among Roanoke College professors about whether AI enhances or diminishes higher education, both Hord and Stanley stated that professors cannot agree. Hord states that it especially varies by discipline, noting that there is almost no use for AI in majors like Creative Writing. However, moving forward, Stanley and Hord continuously stressed one point: There needs to be clear, continuous communication between faculty and students about AI usage in the classroom. Considering the students’ perspective, Stanley puts it best: “Students are caught between excitement and fear of AI.”
Madeline Wall
Staff Reporter
