GPTZero, commonly referred to as "ChatGPT Zero," is advertised as an AI detection tool developed to flag text that may have been generated by AI systems like ChatGPT. While GPTZero and similar tools may seem like a straightforward solution to concerns about AI-assisted student work, faculty should approach their results with significant skepticism.
The purpose of this article is to highlight an aspect of the extension tool, called The Writing Report, to be used as a lens into a student's writing process. If you suspect a student is using AI to assist with an assignment when they are not approved to do so, having a conversation with the student is always best practice.
Note: The following instructions will be for using GPTZero for free through the web on Chrome with Google Docs. A subscription to premium will unlock other file types.
Suggestion: When using Canvas, this article will pair with Google Assignments in Canvas
- Open up Google Chrome, and search for "GPTZero". The home screen will look like this (below). Click on "Add to Google Docs - It's Free"
- If it asks if you want to connect to your SNC Google account, you may.
2. Select "Add to Chrome"
3. Click "Add extension"
4. You'll be prompted to select how you heard about this, feel free to select one of the options and then click "Next"
5. Select "Google Docs"
6. Click through the initial onboarding information by clicking "Next":
7. An option to try premium will appear, click "Skip":
8. The GPTZero button will appear on your browser window (indicated by the arrow). It will also suggest that you test out the capabilities. You may do so if you'd like, but otherwise, you can close out of the window.
9. When you open a Google Doc, the GPTZero floating dashboard will appear on the right:
10. The feature highlighted today is the "Writing Report" button:
Below is an example of what you will see when you press the "Writing Report" button on a Google Doc.
Below are the components of the "Writing Report":
[1]: Playback speed and "Watch in 60 seconds" option: This allows you to watch the report at many different speeds.
[2]: Typing Analysis: Evaluates how a document was written. It monitors writing activity, typing patterns, editing, deletions, and the extent of copy-pasting. The overall analysis should be viewed skeptically.
[3]: Statistics: This section shows the number of edits made to the document you are viewing, number of pastes, the amount of time spent working in the document and the number of words.
[4]: Document Body: Where you will see the Writing Report playback.
TO set up Google Assignments in Canvas, use the following knowledge base article for set up found here.