Technology has opened the gateway for so many amazing opportunities for our students. As technology options increase, SMCA must continue to discern what are the best options for our students. One of the popular options available is the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence). SMCA views academic honesty as a crucial part of school success. Because students need to work on foundational skills before using technology skills, use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on written assignments may not be used (SMCA Handbook, Section 14.2, Academic Honesty). Therefore, all students in 6-12 grade participated in an English workshop during the first week of school to learn all about proper MLA formatting, Plagiarism, the Definition of AI, AI Uses, and Ways to Avoid it. Mrs. Katie Schneider (Former SMCA English teacher) used a Nearpod lesson to show students how to be successful in their writing, as well as, help students to understand the “why” behind SMCA’s stance on Academic Honesty. The lesson ended with a fun game to help them remember important writing skills and rules. Here is what some of our
students said about the workshop:

One of the first things I learned was what can be plagiarized. You can plagiarize many documents and pages like books and pamphlets. – Savannah Charles (7th grade)

During the presentation, I was reminded that plagiarism is unacceptable no matter the circumstances. It was nice to learn how to cite sources correctly. – Miracle Mason (8th grade)

Mrs. Schneider talked about how you shouldn’t use other people’s work like using ChatGBT, Grammarly, other AI and many more. One thing that I didn’t know is that you could even copyright yourself by using previous work to do a new assignment. – Zoey Reed (8th grade)

I think that Mrs. Schneider’s presentation was excellent. Learning about how not to plagiarize and refrain from using AI was very helpful. – Isabelle Brown (9th grade)

I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Schneider’s presentation. I liked the fact that she mentioned that you can plagiarize your own work. She added in some helpful websites for citing and some websites to stay away from using. Overall, Mrs. Schneider gave lots of helpful information, and I will be more careful now about plagiarism. – Trinity Edwards (9th grade)

SMCA’s Upper elementary and secondary teachers also participated in a workshop regarding AI during their Professional Development Day. Mrs. Kayla McLaurin (SMCA Secondary Teacher) led the workshop with examples of how AI can be used and provided teachers with helpful websites to analyze students’ works. Teachers were amazed to learn that AI can even be used to solve math problems.

We are entering the 2024-2025 school year prepared and optimistic about continuing to improve our writing skills and abilities to be the teachers and students God has called us to be.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5: 8-10

-Mrs. Candace Crawford, Dean of Academic Affairs