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Guide Students in the Responsible Use of AI

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how students learn and interact with the world. From AI-powered tutors that offer personalized support to sophisticated language models that help with research and writing, today's students are immersed in a learning environment increasingly intertwined with AI.

As educators, you play an important role in helping students gain the knowledge and skills to leverage AI ethically and responsibly, ensuring they understand its potential, limitations, and broader impact.

Student Use Cases

To effectively guide students and provide support, the first step is understanding the common ways that students are currently using these tools. 

Click the tab below for examples of how students are leveraging generative AI in their studies.

Common Student Use Cases

Students are commonly using generative AI for: 

Ideation and Research
  • Learn more about concepts presented in class
  • Research and brainstorm ideas
  • Explore different perspectives on a topic
  • Find relevant sources and information quickly
  • Get help with formulating research questions or thesis statements
Writing Assistance 
  • Draft or outline assignments and presentations
  • Edit or proofread their writing or papers
  • Get suggestions for improving sentence structure and clarity
  • Generate a list of references or citations
Content and Multimedia Generation
  • Generate images or visuals for presentations
  • Generate code or scripts for technical projects
  • Create personalized learning materials (e.g., flashcards, quizzes)
  • Design visual aids like infographics or diagrams
Studying and Problem Solving
  • Summarize articles, books, or lectures
  • Solve complex problems or calculations
  • Prepare for exams or quizzes
  • Create study guides or summaries
  • Get instant explanations for difficult concepts
Language and Communication Support
  • Practice language skills (e.g., with conversational AI tools)
  • Translate text or speech into their primary language
  • Convert speech to text or vice versa
  • Get feedback on pronunciation or grammar
  • Improve writing skills in a foreign language
Collaboration
  • Brainstorm ideas together in real-time
  • Co-author documents or presentations
  • Get feedback on work from peers or AI

Guiding Responsible Use of AI

Building on your understanding of how students use AI, the next step is providing explicit guidance on responsible AI practices within the context of your course.

Click the tabs below for actionable tips on guiding students toward ethical AI practices.

Step One: Establish Clear Expectations

Create a clear and concise AI course policy for your course that: 

  • Encourages students to be transparent about their use of AI tools.
  • Identifies acceptable ways for students to use AI tools.
  • Clearly defines unacceptable uses, like plagiarizing or violating academic integrity.
  • Explains the importance of properly citing AI-generated content.

Once your policy is defined, communicate it to students. Add it to the "Course Policies" section of your Course Syllabus and openly reference it during class discussions or in assignment instructions.

Check out this sample course policy created by UCLA Extension’s Learning Design Team: 

Use of Generative AI Tools

When using generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to support your learning in this course, adhere to the following guidelines. Responsible and transparent use of these tools is crucial to maintaining academic integrity and fostering original thinking.

Acceptable Uses of Generative AI

  • Brainstorming: Generate ideas, outlines, or starting points for assignments.
  • Research assistance: Gather information, explore different perspectives, or summarize complex texts.
  • Writing assistance: Get feedback on your writing, explore alternative phrasing, or improve grammar and style.
  • Language practice: Engage in conversations to practice language skills or explore new vocabulary.

Unacceptable Uses of Generative AI

  • Plagiarism: Submitting AI-generated work as your own, copying and pasting AI-generated content without proper citation.
  • Academic Dishonesty: Using AI to complete exams, quizzes, or other assessments.
  • Misrepresentation: Falsely claiming that AI-generated work is your own.
  • Violation of Copyright: Using AI to generate content that infringes on the copyright of others.

Your Responsibilities

Remember, these tools should support your learning, rather than replace your independent research, thought, and creativity. 

  1. Be honest and upfront about your use of AI tools. Let me know if you plan to use generative AI to assist you in your coursework or assignments.
  2. Always critically evaluate AI-generated output. The information it provides may not always be accurate, unbiased, or up-to-date.
  3. When you incorporate AI-generated content into your coursework, proper citation is required. Refer to UCLA Extension's guidelines for proper AI citations. 

Let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further. 

Step Two: Reinforce Policies and Guidelines

Proactively reinforcing your AI policies and guidelines during discussions or activity instructions in the course can empower students to make ongoing informed and responsible choices if they decide to use AI tools to support their coursework.

For example, in your activity instructions you can share examples of both good and bad uses of AI for the particular activity. 

AI Guidelines

If you decide to use AI tools to assist you with this assignment, please adhere to the following guidelines regarding appropriate and inappropriate use of AI:

  • The Good: As you're writing your essay on [topic], you can use generative AI or similar tools to help you brainstorm key points, summarize complex scientific reports, or even translate relevant research from other languages. This can save time and provide valuable insights.

  • The Bad: Let's say you ask a generative AI tool to generate a few paragraphs that you copy and paste into your essay. While this might seem like a quick solution, it's a form of plagiarism. It not only undermines your learning but also violates academic integrity principles.

Step Three: Encourage Open Dialogue

Students are naturally curious about AI's growing role in education and the workforce. Creating a safe and open space for dialogue not only addresses students' questions and concerns but also builds trust, encouraging them to share their experiences and be transparent about their use of AI.

Explore the following strategies for encouraging open dialogue:

Share Your Experiences with AI

Discuss how you've personally used AI in your work or professional environments, highlighting both the benefits and challenges you've encountered in the real-world.

Dialogue: "In my field, we use AI tools like [tool name] for [specific applications]. It's been incredibly helpful for [benefits], but we've also had to be mindful of [challenges]."

Invite Student Perspectives

Ask students about their own experiences with AI. Have them critically consider the role of AI in their professional fields and AI's broader implications.

Dialogue: "Have you ever used AI tools in your studies or professional lives? What are your thoughts on how AI might impact your professional field?"

By leading through example, you can guide students on how to evaluate the use of AI for success in their professional fields.

Step Four: Empower Students to Think Critically

Empower students to become informed and critical users of AI by helping them understand AI's limitations and the importance of human oversight. 

Generative AI's Limitations

While AI can offer many benefits, it's important for students to also be aware of its limitations:

Reliability

AI models can sometimes produce inaccurate or misleading information, known as hallucinations.

Content generated by AI requires careful fact-checking from both instructors and students.

Bias

AI can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in the data it's trained on, potentially leading to discriminatory outcomes.

It's essential to critically evaluate AI-generated content for potential bias.

Overreliance

While AI is a powerful tool, it should not replace human judgment and critical thinking in education.

Students should use AI as a supplement to, not a substitute for, their own knowledge and expertise.

Explore some additional risks of working with generative AI: AI Risk Atlas (IBM).

Importance of Human Oversight

Encourage students to critically evaluate and verify the accuracy of AI-generated content against reliable sources, such as academic journals, textbooks, news sites, and government websites. AI should be thought of as a helpful brainstorming partner, rather than a definitive expert.

Reliable Sources

If AI provides historical facts, students can verify information with sources like: 

If AI makes scientific claims, students can cross-reference them with sources like:

If students are using AI to summarize articles, they can compare them against official news sites:

Reframing AI: From Shortcut to Scaffold 

AI can be a valuable asset for student learning, if used thoughtfully. Students should be encouraged to take ownership of their learning by using AI as a partner, not a crutch. This means actively engaging these tools - asking questions, seeking clarification, challenging assumptions, and critically evaluating AI-generated responses. By doing so, students can develop critical thinking skills and avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism or overreliance on AI.

Share the following strategies with students on how they can use AI as a companion to support, not replace their learning.

Creative Brainstorming

Creative brainstorming is an essential aspect of learning, fostering critical thinking, exploration, and original thought. Instead of relying on AI to generate finished work, students can think of it as a brainstorming buddy – a tool to ignite ideas for projects, research topics, creative writing, and beyond.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "Can you provide me with a list of ten creative project ideas related to [topic]?"
  • "I'm working on a research paper about [topic]. Can you help me brainstorm 5 potential thesis statements that offer unique or controversial perspectives?"
  • "I need to write a short story for my creative writing class. Can you suggest 5 intriguing themes related to [topic] that I could explore?"
  • Our group is brainstorming ways to [topic]. Can you provide some innovative suggestions for us to consider?

Homework Assistance

Homework is vital for reinforcing concepts, practicing skills, and deepening understanding. Instead of relying on generative AI to complete assignments, students can use it as their study companion. It can explain complex concepts, provide step-by-step problem-solving guidance, suggest additional resources, and assist with writing tasks.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "I'm having trouble understanding the concept of [specific concept]. Can you provide a clear explanation and walk me through the step-by-step process?"
  • "I'm researching the impact of [topic]. Can you recommend some articles, videos, or books that provide relevant information on this topic?"
  • "I want to learn more about [topic]. Can you suggest some beginner-friendly resources and tips to help me get started with independent study?"

Visualizations

Visualizations can significantly enhance comprehension of complex ideas, presenting them in a clear, concise, and visually engaging way.

Rather than solely relying on existing course visuals, students can leverage generative AI to create custom charts, graphs, or diagrams to simplify intricate concepts, illustrate relationships between ideas, or highlight key takeaways from their research.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "I'm having trouble understanding the concept of [specific concept]. Can you create a visual that would help me grasp this idea better?"
  • "Can you help me understand [process] with a step-by-step visual guide or diagram?"
  • "Can you create a timeline showing the major events of the [hitorical event]?
  • "Can you create a graph to visualize the relationship between [topic] and [topic]?"
  • "Can you create a character map for the main characters in [written work]?"

Exam Preparation

Exam preparation is key for student success, helping students solidify understanding, build confidence, and retain information. Instead of using generative AI to directly answer exam questions, as this constitutes academic dishonesty and can have serious repercussions, they can use AI to enrich their study process.

It can generate a variety of study materials like summaries, outlines, flashcards, visual aids, and sample quiz questions.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "Can you create a five-question multiple-choice quiz based on the topic of [specific topic] covered in [chapter, lecture, book]?"
  • "To help me prepare for my exam, can you provide a summary of the key concepts covered in [article, video, reading]?"
  • "I'm struggling with [specific concept]. Can you generate 3 practice problems with varying levels of difficulty to help me understand it better?"
  • "Can you create two short answer question prompts that require critical thinking and analysis related to the topic of [specific topic]?”

Review and Feedback

Review and Feedback are critical for growth, providing insights and identifying areas for improvement. Instead of using generative AI to complete projects, students can use it as a secondary tool for objective evaluations and feedback on their own work.

They can compare AI-generated feedback with their own analysis and seek input from instructors or peers. This helps them identify strengths, opportunities, and develop a more well-rounded approach to self-assessment.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "I have a thesis statement for my research project: [thesis statement]. Can you evaluate its clarity, strength, and originality? Are there potential weaknesses or counterarguments I should consider?"
  • "I've uploaded my presentation deck on [specific topic]. Can you give me feedback on the visual design, organization, and clarity of the message?"
  • "I've outlined my research paper on [topic]. Can you review my main points and supporting evidence? Are there any gaps in my research or areas where I should provide more examples?"
  • "I've designed a website for my final class project. Can you offer suggestions for improving the user interface, navigation, and overall aesthetic appeal?"

Debates

Debates are creative ways to promote communication skills, open-mindedness, and critical thinking. Rather than relying on generative AI to create entire arguments, students can utilize it strategically to enhance their debate preparation and performance.

They can use generative AI to research opposing viewpoints, generate talking points, refine their debating skills, or even practice an actual interactive debate with the tool to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "We are researching the pros and cons of [topic]. Can you provide a list of arguments for both sides of this debate, citing relevant examples?"
  • "My debate stance is [for/against topic]. Can you help me prepare by identifying potential counterarguments, rebuttals, or challenges my opponent might raise during the debate?
  • Can you provide examples of effective body language, vocal delivery, and rhetorical devices that I can incorporate into my debate performance?"

Group Activities

Group activities are crucial for developing essential skills like teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving that students will need in their future careers. Instead of using generative AI to complete group assignments without everyone's active participation, students can integrate AI into their group discussions and activities to enhance critical thinking and collaboration.

For example, they can use generative AI within groups to facilitate brainstorming sessions, generate discussion prompts, summarize key points from research, or create visual aids for presentations.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "Our group is discussing the topic of [specific topic]. Can you provide a list of arguments for and against this topic for us to consider?”
  • "We want to create a project that has a real-world impact. Can you suggest some practical applications or solutions related to [topic] that we could explore as a team?"
  • "Our project focuses on [topic]. Can you help us brainstorm fun ways to present our findings, like creating a website or organizing a community event?"
  • "Our group is facing challenges with [specific issue, e.g., time management, task delegation]. Can you offer some tips or resources to help us overcome these obstacles?"

Interactive Learning

Interactive learning experiences, such as simulations, role-playing, and case studies, are proven to boost engagement and collaborative problem-solving skills. Generative AI can take these experiences to a new level by acting as a dynamic partner.

Imagine students assigning AI a specific role, such as a historical figure, fictional character, or even a negotiating counterpart. Then, engaging in realistic scenarios where they practice critical thinking, communication, and negotiation skills in a safe and engaging environment. This type of interactive learning, powered by AI, can provide invaluable hands-on experience and prepare students for real-world challenges.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "Our group is tasked with creating a business plan for a startup in the [industry/sector]. Can you help us identify analyze our competition?"
  • "We are simulating a crisis management scenario where [crisis event]. Can you act as a crisis communication expert and advise us on how to respond effectively to the public and media?"
  • "Take on the role of a [position] in a negotiation simulation about [topic]. As the opposing [position], can you present your perspective on the issue and suggest possible solutions for our negotiation?"
  • "Imagine you are a [desribe the target audience]. Our team is developing a mobile app tailored to your needs and interests. Please explore the app and provide detailed feedback on the following: user interface, features, overall experience, and marketing.

Industry Awareness

Industry awareness is crucial for success both in and out of the classroom. It keeps students current with trends and developments, giving them an edge in their professional field. Instead of solely relying on course materials, which might have limited perspectives and topics, students can leverage generative AI to broaden their understanding.

For example, students can use generative AI to summarize recent industry news, research leading companies, explore career pathways, prepare for common interview questions with scenarios and feedback, or engage in simulated conversations with AI to practice networking skills and industry jargon.

Prompt Examples for Students

  • "I'm interested in a career in [industry]. Can you summarize the current trends and future outlook for this field?"
  • "What are the most in-demand skills for someone entering [industry] today?"
  • "Can you provide a list of the top companies in [industry] and a brief overview of their work?"
  • "I'm preparing for a job interview at [company]. Can you simulate an interview with me based on typical questions they might ask?"
  • "I'm attending a networking event in [industry]. Can you help me practice introducing myself and asking relevant questions?"
  • "I want to stay current with trends and developments in the field of [industry]. Can you help me identify relevant sources and topics to focus on for my ongoing learning?"

Staying Current with AI

As instructors and simply as human beings navigating this evolving AI landscape together, we encourage you to stay informed by following policy developments, participating in relevant webinars and conferences, and taking advantage of the wealth of online courses and resources available.

UCLA Extension is here to support your ongoing journey! We've curated a collection of resources to help you stay informed about the latest AI advancements, ethical considerations, and practical applications:

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