When ChatGPT Fails: The Consequences of Delegating Academic Work

The Story of the Texas A&M Professor

In 2018, a professor at Texas A&M University made headlines for failing his entire class. His reason? He discovered that they had all used a ghostwriting service called ChatGPT to write their papers.

ChatGPT is just one of many online platforms that offer to do academic work for students. For a fee, students can submit their essay assignments to the site, and within hours receive a completed paper supposedly written by an expert in the subject.

According to the Texas A&M professor, the papers submitted by his students were of unusually high quality, with sophisticated language and arguments that were beyond the level of their previous work. The professor became suspicious and ran the papers through an anti-plagiarism software, only to find that they had been lifted word-for-word from academic journals and other sources.

As the story goes, the professor proceeded to fail all his students, arguing that they had not only cheated by using a ghostwriting service, but had also compromised their own learning and future careers by failing to put in the necessary work to improve their writing and critical thinking skills.

"Learning is a process, and if students think they can just bypass it by paying others to do their work, they are undermining themselves in the long run," the professor said in a statement to the press.

The story of the Texas A&M professor highlights the growing problem of academic dishonesty and the role that ghostwriting services play in it. In this article, we will examine the implications of delegating academic work, and offer some strategies for avoiding the pitfalls of cheating.

The Numbers Speak Louder Than Words

While the Texas A&M case may be an extreme example, the reality is that ghostwriting services are a booming industry, with millions of students around the world using them to complete their coursework. In fact, a recent study by EdTech Magazine found that:

• 75% of college students admit to cheating at least once during their academic career.
• 53% of college students believe that using a ghostwriting service is not a form of cheating.
• 30% of college students have used a ghostwriting service to complete an assignment.

These statistics are staggering and should not be taken lightly. They suggest that academic dishonesty is far from a fringe issue, and that students' attitudes towards cheating are becoming more permissive.

The Consequences of Delegating Academic Work

The consequences of using ghostwriting services are numerous and far-reaching. For one thing, it is a violation of academic integrity, which is one of the core principles of higher education. Students who cheat are not only deceiving their professors, but also themselves, as they are not truly learning and developing their own skills.

In addition, cheating can have serious consequences for students' future careers. Employers are increasingly placing emphasis on skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and written communication, all of which are undermined by cheating.

Moreover, cheating can have long-lasting effects on students' mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that cheating can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety, which can have negative effects on students' academic and personal lives.

What Can Students Do?

If you are a student, the best way to avoid the pitfalls of cheating is to take your academic work seriously and put in the necessary time and effort to improve your skills. Here are some tips:

• Start your assignments early so that you have plenty of time to research, write, and revise.
• Take advantage of on-campus resources such as writing centers and academic advisors.
• Develop good study habits, including time management and note-taking skills.
• Be honest with yourself and your professors about your weaknesses and areas for improvement.
• If you are struggling with a particular assignment, ask for help and guidance from your professors or classmates.

Ultimately, the decision to cheat is up to the individual student, but the consequences are real and long-lasting. By choosing to do your work honestly and with integrity, you are not only improving your own skills, but also contributing to a culture of academic excellence.

"Education is not just about getting good grades or landing a good job, but about developing the skills and knowledge that will enable you to make a positive impact on the world," the Texas A&M professor said. "That cannot be achieved by cutting corners or taking shortcuts."