Teacher Questions for Identifying AI Overuse: A Practical Guide

Process-Focused Questions

Understanding Their Work Approach

• "Can you walk me through how you approached this assignment from start to finish?"

• "What was the most challenging part of this work for you?"

• "How did you decide to organize your ideas in this particular way?"

• "What sources or research did you use to develop your understanding?"

Revision and Development

• "Can you show me how your thinking evolved as you worked on this?"

• "What parts did you revise, and why did you make those changes?"

• "If you were to rewrite this section, what would you do differently?"

• "How did your initial draft compare to this final version?"

Content-Specific Questions

Deep Understanding

• "Can you explain this concept in your own words, as if teaching it to a younger student?"

• "What connections do you see between this topic and what we've discussed in class?"

• "Which part of your argument do you think is strongest, and why?"

• "What questions does this raise for you about the broader topic?"

Personal Engagement

• "What surprised you most while working on this?"

• "How does this topic relate to your own experiences or interests?"

• "What aspect would you like to explore further if you had more time?"

• "Where did you struggle with understanding, and how did you work through it?"

Critical Thinking Assessment

Analysis and Evaluation

• "How did you decide which sources were most credible?"

• "What counterarguments might someone make to your position?"

• "Can you identify any assumptions you made in your reasoning?"

• "What evidence do you find most compelling, and why?"

Application and Synthesis

• "How might you apply these ideas to a real-world situation?"

• "What would change if we approached this problem from a different angle?"

• "Can you connect this to something we studied earlier in the semester?"

• "How does this challenge or confirm what you previously thought about this topic?"

Red Flag Responses to Watch For

Indicators of AI Dependence

• ❌ Vague, non-specific answers about process

• ❌ Inability to explain reasoning behind specific word choices

• ❌ Responses that sound rehearsed or overly polished

• ❌ Difficulty connecting work to personal understanding

• ❌ Generic answers that could apply to any topic

Signs of Authentic Learning

• ✅ Specific details about challenges and breakthroughs

• ✅ References to personal interests or experiences

• ✅ Evidence of iteration and revision thinking

• ✅ Acknowledgment of confusion or uncertainty

• ✅ Connections to classroom discussions or materials

Implementation Guidelines

Best Practices for Conversations

1. Start with curiosity, not accusation: Frame questions as genuine interest in their learning process

2. Ask follow-up questions: Go deeper into their explanations to assess understanding

3. Reference specific parts: Point to particular sentences or ideas and ask about them

4. Compare to previous work: Notice patterns and changes in their typical approach

5. Create a safe space: Students should feel comfortable admitting struggles or uncertainties

Documentation Strategies

• Keep notes on students' typical writing patterns and voice

• Track changes in complexity or style over time

• Record responses to process questions for comparison

• Note discrepancies between oral and written abilities

Metacognitive Prompts for Future Assignments

Building Self-Awareness

• "Before you begin, what specific goals do you have for this assignment?"

• "As you work, what strategies are you using to understand difficult concepts?"

• "What questions are you asking yourself as you write/research?"

• "How are you checking your own understanding as you go?"

Reflection Requirements

• Include process reflections with major assignments

• Ask for learning journals documenting challenges and insights

• Require students to identify their strongest and weakest arguments

• Have students explain their revision decisions

Remember: Building Trust, Not Catching Cheating

The goal of these questions is not to "catch" students using AI, but to:

• Encourage genuine engagement with learning

• Help students develop metacognitive awareness

• Identify when students need additional support

• Foster authentic assessment practices

• Build stronger teacher-student relationships based on understanding their learning process