Digital technology has changed the way education works for both students and teachers alike. There is no getting around the fact that such technologies are here to stay so the education sector has to find ways to adapt when it comes to things like digital plagiarism, AI-generated artworks, and spun essays that have been produced by a computer, not a human. What can students do to make their work more distinctive in an age which seemingly approves of like-for-like copies of existing work? Read on to find out.
Go Analog Whenever You Can
To begin with, there’s no need for students to only use the digital tools at their disposal. The old ways still work, after all. Okay, so not many people will want to write a long essay or science report by hand these days, but this fact doesn’t mean that written work always needs to be emailed to college professors and other teaching staff. Consider having such work professionally printed and even bound for something important, such as an end-of-semester report or post-graduate thesis. Doing so will make an impression when so many other students choose to go full electronic with their submissions, after all. These days, essay printing services are quick, so you won’t have to plan for an analog print out of your work well in advance of your deadline.
Use AI But Use it Creatively
In numerous seats of learning, AI has already been given the green light. Teaching staff now expect their students to use it. However, if you simply ask an AI service to respond to simple instructions on the production of reports and essays for you, then you’re missing its potential. AI will typically only produce a rehash of what is already available. To use it for better marks, get it to analyze different texts and works, some of which may be seemingly relevant to your field of study. AI is good at bringing disparate ideas together. Be prepared to challenge its conclusions, though, so you can drill down into the logic behind what it comes up with. Creative use of AI can be ground-breaking if you are prepared to bounce your ideas off it to come up with something truly original.
Talk it Through
A viva assessment may be nothing new but it isn’t the only chance to make your voice heard. Speak up in class and during informal assessments, such as seminars. If you have said something about the studies you’re working on, then this is likely to reflect when your written work is later graded. Assessments tend to be looked on more favorably when the tutor knows the person they are marking has been engaged in class. This simple method can help your written work to stand out from others. At least, it will help to contextualize what you are saying on paper so it comes across better.
Conclusion
Digital technology in education can be empowering. However, old-school analog methods still have their place, so try to blend the two for the best outcomes possible.
