Frequently Asked Questions: Tech Support

Tools for artificial intelligence (AI) are quickly evolving and impacting teaching and learning. This page offers resources to help faculty gain a better understanding of AI. 

What are AI, ChatGPT and AI Detection Tools? 

• According to EDUCAUSE, Artificial Intelligence or AI refers to computer systems that undertake tasks usually thought to require human cognitive processes and decision-making capabilities. To exhibit intelligence, computers apply algorithms to find patterns in large amounts of data—a process called machine learning, which plays a key role in a number of AI applications.       

• ChatGPT (or Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) is a generative tool that was launched in November 2022 by OpenAI.  According to Britannica, ChatGPT indicates its purpose “is to generate human-like text, which can be used for a variety of applications, such as chatbots, automated content creation, and language translation.” According to openai.com, the newest version, GPT4 is more creative and collaborative. It can generate, edit, and iterate with users on creative and technical writing tasks, such as composing songs, writing screenplays, or learning a user’s writing style. It accepts images as inputs and can handle up to 25,000 words.       

• AI Detection Tools are also being developed; however, they may not be reliable because they are just emerging. Faculty who choose to use a detection tool should use caution when interpreting results, because false positives are possible.

Consultation support for AI and ChatGPT as related to teaching and learning 

JMU Libraries provides support and consultation services for educational technologies, as well as instructional design expertise for authentic assignment, assessment, and course development.  

The Center for Faculty Innovation provides individual and departmental consultations for teaching and learning. 

Resources to support considerations about AI and ChatGPT for teaching and learning. 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education online research guide (JMU Libraries)

• CFI Toolbox, January 23, 2023: Chat GPT (JMU) 

• Teaching in the Digital Age: Artificial Intelligence and Online Writing Aids (William & Mary)

• Considering Generative AI and ChatGPT at Virginia Tech 

• The promise and peril of chatGPT for our courses (Radford University) 

• Turnitin’s New AI Writing Detection (and what it means for your teaching) (Vanderbilt University) 

• Authentic Assessment (Indiana University Bloomington)  

• Authentic Assessment Toolbox (John Mueller)