Category: Personal Struggles

Academic Honesty in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A New Era for Universities

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we live, work, and learn. In education, tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and AI-driven writing assistants have opened up incredible opportunities for students to learn faster and work smarter. But they’ve also brought new challenges—especially when it comes to academic honesty. How do we navigate a world where students can ask an AI to write their essay or solve their problem set? And how can universities adapt to these changes while still encouraging integrity and learning?

These are big questions, and while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some clear steps universities can take to move forward.

How AI Is Changing the Game

Let’s be real: AI tools are everywhere, and they’re not going away. They can write essays, solve equations, generate code, and even create entire research papers. While these tools can make life easier, they also blur the line between “getting help” and “cheating.”

For example, if a student uses an AI tool to clean up their grammar, most people would see that as fair game. But what if they ask the AI to write the entire essay? Or to generate an answer without putting in much effort themselves? That’s where things get tricky.

To make matters more complicated, AI-generated content doesn’t look like traditional plagiarism. Instead of copying and pasting from an existing source, AI creates something entirely new—which makes it harder to detect and even harder to regulate.

What Can Universities Do About It?

This new reality calls for a fresh approach. Universities need to rethink how they define and enforce academic integrity while still preparing students to use AI responsibly. Here are a few ways they can tackle this:

  1. Set Clear Guidelines
    First and foremost, universities need to be crystal clear about what’s okay and what’s not when it comes to using AI. Are students allowed to use AI to help brainstorm ideas? To check their grammar? To write entire paragraphs? These boundaries need to be spelled out in policies that are easy for both students and faculty to understand.
  2. Teach AI Literacy
    If AI is going to be part of our everyday lives, students need to understand it. Universities can offer workshops or courses that teach students how AI works, what its limitations are, and how to use it ethically. The goal isn’t to ban AI but to help students use it responsibly—just like any other tool.
  3. Rethink Assessments
    Let’s face it: traditional assignments like essays and take-home tests are easy targets for AI misuse. To combat this, universities can design assessments that are harder for AI to handle. Think in-class essays, oral exams, or group projects. Even better, create assignments that require students to connect course material to their personal experiences or analyze real-world case studies. These types of tasks are harder for AI to fake and more meaningful for students.
  4. Use AI to Fight AI
    Interestingly, AI can also help universities maintain integrity. Tools like Turnitin are now being upgraded to detect AI-generated content. While these tools aren’t perfect, they’re a step in the right direction. Training faculty to use these technologies can make a big difference.
  5. Collaborate, Don’t Punish
    Instead of treating AI misuse like a crime, universities should focus on educating students about its ethical use. AI can be a powerful learning tool when used properly, and students need to understand that. Faculty can model responsible AI use by demonstrating how it can support—not replace—critical thinking and creativity.
  6. Build a Culture of Integrity
    Policies and tools can only go so far. What really matters is creating a culture where honesty and integrity are valued. This can be done through honor codes, open discussions about ethics, and mentoring programs where older students help younger ones navigate these challenges.

Moving Forward

Artificial intelligence isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool. Like any tool, it can be used well or poorly. Universities have a unique opportunity to embrace this shift, teaching students not just how to use AI but how to use it wisely.

By updating their policies, rethinking assessments, and fostering a culture of academic honesty, universities can ensure that AI becomes a force for good in education. The goal isn’t to resist change but to adapt to it in a way that upholds the values of integrity, learning, and critical thinking.

This is a big moment for education. If universities handle it right, they’ll prepare students to thrive in an AI-driven world—not just as users of the technology, but as ethical and innovative thinkers who know how to make it work for them.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of regulating Social Media.

With the advent of a congressional hearing on the pitfalls of social media I found it to be a good time to actually write a brief article on the pitfalls of social media as well the pitfalls of violating the first amendment rights of those that use social media.

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, shaping the way we connect, communicate, and consume information. While these platforms offer numerous benefits, there are growing concerns about the potential pitfalls, especially for the younger members of our community. Striking a delicate balance between safeguarding the youth and preserving the right to free speech is a complex challenge that requires thoughtful consideration.

The Pitfalls for Younger Generations:

  1. Cyberbullying and Mental Health:
    Social media can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, with younger individuals often being the primary targets. The anonymity provided by these platforms can empower bullies, leading to severe consequences for the mental health of victims.
  2. Addiction and Screen Time:
    Excessive use of social media can contribute to addiction and negatively impact the physical and mental well-being of the younger population. The constant exposure to curated images and unrealistic standards can fuel feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
  3. Privacy Concerns:
    Young users may not fully grasp the implications of sharing personal information online. This lack of awareness can make them vulnerable to privacy breaches, identity theft, and other online threats.
  4. Influence of Misinformation:
    Social media platforms are breeding grounds for the rapid spread of misinformation. Young minds, still in the process of developing critical thinking skills, may fall victim to false narratives, leading to misguided beliefs and opinions.

The Need for Protection:

  1. Developing Regulatory Frameworks:
    Implementing regulations to protect young users is essential. Age-appropriate content filters, privacy controls, and measures against cyberbullying can help create safer digital spaces for the youth.
  2. Educating Parents and Guardians:
    Empowering parents and guardians with the knowledge to monitor and guide their children’s online activities is crucial. Educating them about potential dangers and promoting open communication can help create a supportive environment.
  3. Collaboration with Tech Companies:
    Collaborating with social media platforms to implement responsible design practices and age-appropriate features can contribute to a safer online experience for younger users.

Balancing Act: Preserving Free Speech vs. Regulation

  1. Preserving Free Speech:
    Social media platforms have been hailed as bastions of free speech, allowing individuals to express their opinions and ideas. Heavy-handed regulation may risk stifling this freedom and impinging on the democratic ideals these platforms represent.
  2. Avoiding Censorship:
    Striking the right balance requires careful consideration to avoid inadvertently curbing free speech. Regulations should focus on protecting users without stifling diverse opinions and open dialogue.
  3. Ensuring Accountability:
    Rather than restricting speech, regulations should encourage accountability. Holding individuals responsible for the consequences of their words and actions can deter online harassment and the spread of misinformation.

Conclusion:

As we navigate the complex landscape of social media, it is imperative to address the pitfalls that pose risks to the younger generation. Balancing the need to protect youth with the preservation of free speech requires a nuanced approach, involving collaboration between policymakers, tech companies, and the community. Through responsible regulation and education, we can strive to create a digital environment that fosters both safety and freedom of expression.

Going Back to the Basics? An argument against using Web Frameworks.

There is a growing movement in the web development community to return to the basics of building websites using just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This approach often referred to as “vanilla” web development, is seen as an alternative to using frameworks such as React, Vue, and Angular.

One of the main arguments for using vanilla web development is that it allows for greater flexibility and control over the final product. Frameworks can be restrictive in terms of the design and layout of a website while using just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript allows for complete freedom in how the website is built. Additionally, using vanilla web development allows developers to have a deeper understanding of how the website is functioning and how it is interacting with the browser, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and debugging.

Another argument for using vanilla web development is that it can be more performant than using frameworks. Frameworks often add an additional layer of abstraction between the developer and the browser, which can lead to slower load times and increased memory usage. By using just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the browser can render the website more efficiently and quickly.

There are also benefits to using vanilla web development in terms of maintainability and scalability. Frameworks are constantly evolving and updating, which can make it difficult to keep up with the latest changes. With vanilla web development, the codebase is simpler and more straightforward, making it easier to maintain and update over time. Additionally, since the codebase is not tied to a specific framework, it can be more easily scaled and adapted to new technologies in the future.

However, it’s important to note that using frameworks can be beneficial in certain situations, such as when building complex, large-scale applications. Frameworks like React and Vue provide a set of tools and best practices that can make it easier to manage and organize large codebases. They also often provide additional features such as state management and built-in performance optimization.

In conclusion, there are valid arguments for using vanilla web development instead of frameworks when building websites. Vanilla web development allows for greater flexibility and control, can be more performant, and is generally easier to maintain and scale. However, it’s important to evaluate the specific needs of a project and weigh the pros and cons of each approach before making a decision.

Writing Consistently – What to do if you have a blog

First and foremost, writing consistently helps to establish your blog as a reliable source of information. When you publish new content on a regular basis, your readers will come to expect it and will be more likely to visit your blog frequently to see what you have to say. This can help to build a loyal readership and increase the overall popularity of your blog.

Additionally, writing consistently can help you to improve as a writer. The more you practice, the better you will become at crafting compelling and engaging content. This can be especially important if you are using your blog as a platform to share your thoughts and ideas with the world.

Furthermore, writing consistently can help to boost your search engine rankings. Search engines such as Google favor websites that publish fresh, relevant content on a regular basis. By consistently updating your blog with new content, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in search results, which can lead to more traffic and greater visibility for your blog.

Another important reason to write consistently is that it can help to keep you motivated and inspired. When you are in the habit of writing regularly, it can be easier to come up with new ideas and to stay focused on your goals. This can be especially useful if you are using your blog as a creative outlet or as a way to share your expertise with others.

Finally, writing consistently can help to build your personal brand and reputation. By consistently sharing your thoughts and ideas with the world, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your field and build a reputation for expertise and knowledge.

Overall, there are many benefits to writing consistently when maintaining a blog. By publishing fresh, relevant content on a regular basis, you can establish your blog as a reliable source of information, improve your writing skills, boost your search engine rankings, stay motivated and inspired, and build your personal brand and reputation.

This post among all the others is part of my plan to write every day of this year. So far I haven’t missed a day yet, and if I do happen to miss a day then I plan on publishing twice on the next day.

Why I deleted most of my social media accounts and the reasons you should consider doing it yourself.

Recently, I have been deleting and removing just about every social media account I created in the past. Now, this is for a multitude of reasons. Many of these accounts I just simply neglect, I don’t have the time or the energy to maintain them all.


As well, many of these accounts were created simply for reasons to advertise my website or other reasons other than just what those platforms were meant to be used for. Meaning, that the motive behind some, but not all, social media platforms was simply to try and drive traffic to where I wanted it to go.


That is really a bad motive to create something that is a “social platform”, it contradicts the intentions of the creators of those platforms. It is selfish to do this, you wouldn’t want someone to create an account on a website you built just to convince others to visit something you did on a different website.


As well, the reason I deleted many of these accounts is that I wanted to make my online profile as streamlined as possible. If someone wanted to find me, then they can do so here, on my own website. There is no reason to go to other websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Quora, and so on.


Having multiple accounts all over the internet increased the chances of my username/password being breached in a data breach. While I strive to make sure each password, I use is different on each website the usernames may overlap. The more data I put out there for someone to find the more likely they may be able to guess a password of mine.


You are not obligated to create accounts on all these social websites. The fact that each website is free simply means you are the product. Why chose to participate in something like that? You aren’t being paid to share such information, and the people who are enriching themselves off your data aren’t exactly doing so for charity or to make the world a better place. Many of these upper executives have very bad motives for the profits that they derive from the data you freely share.


Choosing to not participate in something is empowering. Not being a part of an endless cycle of spreading hate and misinformation means you can live truly free.
I believe as a society we must get back to being more private about our lives. We don’t need to share every aspect of what is going on.


Now, I may still use some of these platforms, but to spread education. I want to spread positivity, not hatred. We need to design platforms that discourage hatred but encourage positivity. Currently, these platforms base everything upon engagement and not the intent of the message. That needs to change.


Choosing to delete your social media profiles may be difficult to some, but I believe the rewards far exceed any potential drawbacks.

My Return to Facebook – How to use Facebook to your advantage!

Hey,

As everyone is removing or deleting their Facebook accounts I want to just briefly mention the reasons why I returned to Facebook. Quite simply this is best said in my YouTube video I posted up just a few hours ago.

https://youtu.be/mZFlCESVY3I

Of course, not everyone will agree with me and that is perfectly fine. Using social media should be to your advantage and not to the detriment of your own social life. As always, be cautious of what you read, think critically, and just be wise about your time.

Should Online Instructors ask their students what courses to make in the future?

There is something I see quite a bit online, and honestly, I am a bit perturbed by it. As an instructor, who will soon have some courses online, I don’t ask my students what I should study next to be able to teach them in the future. I believe as a teacher, or instructor, you should be the thought leader.

Now, in marketplaces such as Udemy and Skillshare, getting a feel for demand for a course is a wise idea. However, as someone who is a thought leader you should be able to anticipate the needs of your students beforehand. I can understand the reasons why some instructors do this as they don’t want to waste their time on creating a course that potentially will have no buyers.

Surveying your students about what they would like to learn next shouldn’t be your primary concern. Surveys’ amount to very little in the real world. Surveys don’t actually translate into sellable courses. What matters, and what should be the ultimate determinate of demand for your courses is how well they sell!

The old expression about “money talks” means quite a lot online.

Besides, if you are a true thought leader, you should be more concerned with creating an online curriculum that enhances every other course you make. By creating a curriculum, or a series of courses that can be tied together, you can in effect create more sales.

Anyways, this is something that has been bugging me for quite a while, and I had to get this off my chest and articulate my argument as best as I could! If you disagree with me, please don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments below!