Teacher uses AI worksheets, gets called out by student using AI to create study guides: 'It looks the same'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 24, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

What does it mean when even the person doing the teaching uses AI as the teacher?

Generative AI has been the biggest shake-up in the educational system since who knows when, and probably not for the better. When a kid can just ask ChatGPT to do all their homework, the possibility of them actually learning anything useful drops even lower. Half the time, it might not even give the correct answers, either. Both the student and the computer look stupid.

However, what is perhaps worse than children being drawn to the easy way out is the fact that many of their teachers seem to like it, too. We all know that the workload of an educator can be overwhelming, but that doesn't mean that re-routing much of it through artificial intelligence is going to solve that problem. If it is producing an inferior quality teaching product, it isn't going to be much help to students. Somebody has to be making the effort to learn; otherwise, there isn't any point in it. Part of being a teacher in an AI-infused future is showing kids how to use the technology responsibly, not to shirk responsibility for work.

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  • A group of schoolkids stands in the hall discussing homework.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A group of schoolkids stands in the hall discussing homework. Models for explanatory purposes only.  
     

  • A teacher who shared a middle school class with another teacher was horrified at something that one of their students casually mentioned to him. They asked him to confirm whether the other teacher was using AI for their assignments, as the structure of the worksheets she had been giving them was similar to the study guide the student had created with ChatGPT.

    He was angry at his colleague for not putting in the effort to do her job properly, and felt like this was a waste of everyone's time. He didn't want to be giving the students subpar resources.

     

  • My co-teacher is using ChatGPT to create assessments and today a kid asked me…

    "Mr. EssTeeEss9, is Ms. Redacted (no, not the cool one) using ChatGPT to create our assignments and tests? Because when I use Chat to help make me a study guide, it looks like the same format as her tests and handouts."
    via EssTeeEss9
  • Like, what the f am I even doing here? It's literally the meme of two Als just communicating with each other. Both teacher and pupil have offloaded any responsibility, and it's honestly sad.
    via EssTeeEss9
  • *editing to say, as some have pointed out, the kid is at least using it a little more genuinely. Though there still is something in writing flashcards or filling in the study guide on your own. That simple act is forming an imprint in your mind. That's why the main way we study vocabulary and spelling in my class is by lots of writing.
    via EssTeeEss9
  • The teacher however, it's just cynical the extent to which she offloads grading and assignment creation.
    via EssTeeEss9
  • A teacher sitting at a table in a classroom points at her laptop.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A teacher sitting at a table in a classroom points at her laptop. Models pictured are not representative.
     

  • The problems from the internet were going into real life.

    3guitars Welcome to de d internet theory taken into the real world. In this exciting new future, humans will have agents doing all the communicating, thinking, and feeling for us.
    via 3guitars
  • Ms_Riley_Guprz Content aside, the format that Al outputs for worksheets always sucked. The few times I've attempted it I've had to rework the whole thing anyways. I feel for you! My only advice would be to offer your own stuff.
    via Ms_Riley_Guprz

  • It's becoming a more common tool for teachers.

    Darbley Soooo many teachers in my building are using it. It doesn't. help that admin encourages us to use it. I speak out against it, and I have some allies, but I mostly get sighs and eyerolls.
    via Darbley
  • I've banned the use of Chromebooks in my room. I have a Chromecart that stays locked. I'm often told "we see your students aren't logging in to "I just say, yep. If you want to see how my students are doing stop
    via Darbley
  • by my classroom." (I haven't had a formal observation since 2019, even though I'm supposed to have at least one annually. Everything is so McDonaldized, they simply "do their jobs" by looking to data collected through the Chromebooks.)
    via Darbley

  • The problem extended through college.

    joshred1 I'm in grad school now and I couldn't tell you how many times my professors said "Sorry this is wrong, I made it with Al"
    via j0shred1
  • ASentientHam You're probably right, but I'd be careful because they could just be using the same template, etc. it's entirely possible they got a template for worksheets, or assessments from an Al and the teacher may have still made the content. H II, they could have
    via ASentientHam
  • gotta template from another place online and the Al found the same one. A lot of math texts for instance look the same, because they all use the same software to write them. I would be careful about jumping to conclusions, even though there's a good chance you're right.
    via ASentientHam

  • A limit had been crossed.

    After_Web3201 Never go full chat gpt
    via After_Web3201
  • GodlsAlreadyTracer Not a teacher but this is honestly terrifying. Are we really about to sh out a whole generation that genuinely cannot do anything for themselves? How TF are these ppl supposed to be hireable?
    via GodIsAlreadyTracer
  • catsinhouse22 Show your co-teacher, admin, and everyone you know the emerging research on using generative Al to supplant human effort. Using generative Al leads to reduced cognitive engagement. As many of us have seen in our everyday lives, people who use it are getting actively stupider.
    via catsinhouse22
  • otter 759 Ugh. This is why co-teaching sks. You don't want to throw them under the bus in front of the students, but when they do sh like this, it adversely affects your reputation.
    via otter_759

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students teacher education artificial intelligence
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