Are you worried your students might be using ChatGPT to shortcut their learning?
You’re not alone — many professors are concerned that AI tools are eroding academic rigor. But it is possible to balance the power of AI with meaningful learning.
Below are three simple, effective strategies to discourage AI plagiarism while increasing student engagement and learning outcomes.
1. Use Google Docs Version History
One of the easiest ways to detect potential AI misuse is by reviewing a document’s edit history.
Google Docs automatically tracks all edits, showing you exactly when and how a student composed their assignment.
💡 On Microsoft campuses? Have students submit Word files with “Track Changes” enabled from the start.
How it Works:
In the image above, you can see at 9:07 the document was empty but by 9:08, it is full of text, which is a good indicator of some kind of AI plagiarism.
If students know you can see all their edits, they will think twice about copying and pasting from AI.
Having this ability to turn back the clock is one strategy of maintaining academic rigor.
But what if you could accomplish the same goal in real-time, so you don’t have to spend your time “chasing” students?
We’ve made that possible with Feedback Loops!
2. Incorporate Feedback Loops
Want to prevent AI misuse and increase student learning at the same time?
Feedback Loops, the latest addition to the Experiential Entrepreneurship Curriculum (ExEC), use AI to provide students with instant, personalized feedback as they complete their assignments.
This quickly boosts engagement, especially in those students most difficult to engage.
This tool gives students guidance right away, rather than waiting days for you to review their work.
Feedback loops coach students with the help of AI so they can iterate and improve responses without losing momentum.
Real-time assistance boosts engagement, and engaged students are more likely to earn higher grades (and deliver more positive teaching evals).
Feedback loops discourage AI plagiarism because they automatically detect, and reject, large amounts of pasted text:
This system requires students to to engage and write their own responses.
If you want to engage your students with personalized, real-time feedback, while reducing their reliance on AI, we’re building Feedback Loops now!
Request a preview of ExEC to explore this brand-new feature.
3. Video Submissions
Our final tip for ensuring academic rigor:
Have students submit a video or audio recording explaining key parts of their assignments.
Asking students to record a short video or audio clip to explain their thinking:
- Develops communication and presentation skills
- Increases engagement and reflection
- Encourages them to process and internalize the material
Even a 1–2 minute video explaining key concepts can make a big difference.
See our sample video submission below:
Want To Use All 3 Strategies?
Each of these tools — Google Docs history, Feedback Loops, and video submissions — is powerful on its own.
But together? They’re a trifecta of academic rigor in the age of AI.
If you want to incorporate all three strategies, check out the Experiential Entrepreneurship Curriculum.
ExEC includes modern entrepreneurial exercises and tools to ensure students get the most out of your course.
Want to see how ExEC can help you balance AI with academic rigor?
