Ask for guidance

Rules for using AI may differ between subjects, teachers and assignments. If you are uncertain, ask before using an AI tool. A quick conversation can prevent confusion and help you make choices that support your learning.

Check the assignment first

Before asking for help, review:

• The task instructions and assessment criteria

• Information provided by your teacher

• The school’s academic-integrity guidance

• Any symbols or statements explaining permitted AI use

Do not assume that AI is permitted because you used it for another assignment.

Check with your teacher

Your teacher decides how AI may be used for a particular task. Ask questions such as:

• May I use AI for this assignment?

• Which types of AI support are permitted?

• May I use it for brainstorming, feedback or language support?

• Which parts of the work must I complete independently?

• How should I acknowledge or cite its use?

• Should I retain my prompts and AI responses?

Ask before submitting the assignment, not after a problem has arisen.

Ask the librarian

The librarian can help you:

• Find reliable alternatives to AI-generated information.

• Check claims and sources suggested by AI.

• Locate books, databases and multilingual resources.

• Create citations and a bibliography.

• Write an appropriate AI acknowledgement.

• Organise a record of your research process.

The librarian can guide your research, but you remain responsible for making decisions and completing the work.

Explain what you plan to do

When asking for guidance, be specific. Instead of asking:

Can I use AI?

Try:

May I use ChatGPT to generate possible search terms? I will conduct the research independently, verify the information using library sources and acknowledge the AI assistance.

A specific question makes it easier for the teacher or librarian to give a clear answer.

Bring evidence of your process

If you need help, bring:

• The assignment instructions

• Your research question or plan

• Notes and sources already collected

• Relevant AI prompts and responses

• Your draft or bibliography

• A description of how you have used—or plan to use—AI

Showing your process helps others understand what support you need.

If you have already used AI

Be honest and ask for advice. Explain:

• Which tool you used

• What you asked it to do

• How you used its response

• What work you completed independently

• Whether you checked the information

• Whether any AI-generated material appears in the final work

Do not hide, delete or misrepresent your use of AI.

Sample message

Hello [teacher’s name],
I would like to check whether I may use [AI tool] to help me [specific purpose] for this assignment. I will complete [parts of the task] independently and check any information against reliable sources. Could you please confirm whether this is permitted and how I should acknowledge the assistance?

Before continuing

Ask yourself:

• Have I checked the assignment instructions?

• Do I know whether AI is permitted?

• Do I understand which work must remain my own?

• Do I know how to document or acknowledge AI use?

• Have I asked if anything remains unclear?

• Could I explain my process honestly to my teacher?

Remember: Asking for guidance is part of responsible learning. When in doubt, pause and ask before using AI.