title: Re-designing forum discussions to combat GenAI use

authors: Gibbons, Stephanie

abstract: Our online Philosophy papers make extensive use of forum posts for discussion of moral issues. It is tempting for students to make use of GenAI for these short, informal contributions. My aim in these courses was to discourage the use of AI, to demonstrate to students the shortcomings of GenAI, and to reduce any advantage of using it.
I seeded forums with clearly identified examples of what GenAI would write. Students could earn marks for sensible criticisms of AI contributions. But no marks were available for writing the kind of things GenAI produces. This technique prevents me from having to prove AI use: such posts are simply not worth marks. While the assessment design cannot prevent students from using GenAI, it both raises their awareness of its shortcomings, and reduces any advantage from its use. Successful use of this method requires careful communication in setting up the assessment, and regular monitoring and reinforcement. I was straightforward with students about what I was trying to achieve, and why. I learned a great deal about how to frame assessment questions, and what to emphasise to students. My constant refrain was “this is what AI can do already. What value are you adding?” The method showed some success in reducing GenAI use, and response from students was very positive.

text: Re-designing forum discussions to combat GenAI use Our online Philosophy papers make extensive use of forum posts for discussion of moral issues. It is tempting for students to make use of GenAI for these short, informal contributions. My aim in these courses was to discourage the use of AI, to demonstrate to students the shortcomings of GenAI, and to reduce any advantage of using it.
I seeded forums with clearly identified examples of what GenAI would write. Students could earn marks for sensible criticisms of AI contributions. But no marks were available for writing the kind of things GenAI produces. This technique prevents me from having to prove AI use: such posts are simply not worth marks. While the assessment design cannot prevent students from using GenAI, it both raises their awareness of its shortcomings, and reduces any advantage from its use. Successful use of this method requires careful communication in setting up the assessment, and regular monitoring and reinforcement. I was straightforward with students about what I was trying to achieve, and why. I learned a great deal about how to frame assessment questions, and what to emphasise to students. My constant refrain was “this is what AI can do already. What value are you adding?” The method showed some success in reducing GenAI use, and response from students was very positive.

year: 2024

title: Algebraic invariants arising from the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs

authors: Delbourgo, Daniel

abstract: This paper investigates some algebraic properties of the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs, i.e. graphs which have three internally disjoint paths sharing the same two distinct end vertices. We give a complete description of the Galois group, discriminant and ramification indices for the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs with three consecutive path lengths. We then do the same for theta graphs with three paths of the same length, by comparing them algebraically to the first family. This algebraic link extends naturally to generalised theta graphs with k + 1 branches.

text: Algebraic invariants arising from the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs This paper investigates some algebraic properties of the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs, i.e. graphs which have three internally disjoint paths sharing the same two distinct end vertices. We give a complete description of the Galois group, discriminant and ramification indices for the chromatic polynomials of theta graphs with three consecutive path lengths. We then do the same for theta graphs with three paths of the same length, by comparing them algebraically to the first family. This algebraic link extends naturally to generalised theta graphs with k + 1 branches.

year: 2014

title: Mana whenua / Belonging through assessment: A kōhanga reo perspective

authors: McMillan, Hoana

abstract: This article presents the findings from a Teacher Led-Innovation Fund (TLIF) project where kaiako set out to develop and then explore Ngā kōrero tuku iho as an assessment approach within kōhanga reo. Underpinned by kaupapa Māori research protocols, wānanga (discussions) were held with kaiako and whānau to evaluate the approach. The findings from wānanga with whānau are presented and discussed in this article encouraging new ways of thinking about Mana Whenua/Belonging within the context of assessment and beyond.

text: Mana whenua / Belonging through assessment: A kōhanga reo perspective This article presents the findings from a Teacher Led-Innovation Fund (TLIF) project where kaiako set out to develop and then explore Ngā kōrero tuku iho as an assessment approach within kōhanga reo. Underpinned by kaupapa Māori research protocols, wānanga (discussions) were held with kaiako and whānau to evaluate the approach. The findings from wānanga with whānau are presented and discussed in this article encouraging new ways of thinking about Mana Whenua/Belonging within the context of assessment and beyond.

year: 2020