Classroom Strategies to Promote Responsible Use of A.I.

Classroom Strategies

The following overarching principles and classroom strategies are recommended for promoting the responsible use of A.I.

Ethical Principle

Students using A.I. tools should be transparent about their use in alignment with university and course policies for academic integrity.

1. Get Comfortable Talking About A.I.

Get comfortable talking about A.I. tools with students and encourage them to be honest about how they are using them in their work.

2. Be Transparent

Be direct and transparent about what tools students are permitted to use, and about the reasons for any restrictions. If you choose to allow them, encourage your students to also be transparent about their use of A.I. tools in their work.

Recommendations for reducing issues of academic integrity:

Publish policies about academic integrity

  • University level (TBD)
  • Course level

Address A.I. tool use on your syllabus

Example statements:

  • Collaboration with ChatGPT or other AI composition software is not permitted in this course.
  • Collaboration with ChatGPT or other AI composition software is permitted in this course with appropriate documentation of how it was used and for what purpose.
  • Please obtain permission from me before collaborating with peers or AI chatbots (like ChatGPT) on assignments for this course.

Cognitive Principle

Students should understand that working with A.I. should facilitate–not hinder–learning.

1. Reframe the use of AI in the classroom

Controlling the use of AI writing through surveillance or detection technology is probably not feasible. Instead, focus on how these tools allow us to achieve our intended outcomes differently and better (i.e. course tactics).

Recommended classroom practices:

  • Have students critically engage with A.I. tools to understand their capabilities and limitations.
  • Be transparent about how assignments support long term learning goals.

2. Adapt your designs

Changes in assignment design and structure can enhance their learning and substantially reduce the potential for issues of academic integrity.

Recommended design principles:

  • Use authentic assignments and assessments that students feel connected to.
  • Chunk and scaffold writing assignments and projects.
  • Change up the format of writing assignments.
  • Incorporate regular feedback (instructor and peer)
  • Incorporate the use of A.I. tools to support assignments and projects.
  • Use alternative ways for students to represent their knowledge beyond text.
  • Require heavy citations.
  • Have students use resources that are not accessible to A.I. tools.
    • Content created after 2021.
    • Content behind a paywall, e.g. Atkins library.
    • Content discussed in class.

Additional Resources

For further readings on best practices and example activities related to the use of A.I. tools in education, review the following resources:

Example Activities