A.I. Policy

Students (and instructors) are exploring this new world of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and questioning how much or how little to utilize this tool in the classroom. A.I. policies will differ from school to school and even from teacher to teacher so it is important to understand the purpose of these programs and how much use is being allowed. A.I. is a broad term but specifically, we’re talking here about programs such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, Grammarly, ResearchRabbit, etc.

As mentioned previously, each teacher will have their own guidelines. Some instructors will allow some use and some schools/instructors may classify any use of A.I. as plagiarism, since it is creating work that is not your own, yet you are claiming you came up with it on your own. Consider this question: Are you asking A.I. to do the work you are being assessed on? For example, in English if I am asking you to create your own argument, using A.I. to create the argument would not be allowed. However, if your spelling is not being graded, it would be okay to use A.I. to check your spelling.

For my class specifically, I am okay with you using A.I. for support during the brainstorming process but I do expect you to take what A.I. gives you and make it your own. For example, if you are developing an outline and you have identified a few supporting points but need one more, you might use A.I. to assist you in developing a few possible supporting points, then take what you glean from A.I. to create your OWN supporting point (as opposed to copying and pasting what A.I. gave you right into your outline). I am also fine with you using A.I. to support your spelling and grammar but I do expect you to read through your draft carefully to catch mistakes made by A.I. Another approved idea on how to use A.I. is if you are writing an argument and looking for help identifying counter-arguments to your claim that you can then use to help form your rebuttal. If you do use A.I. on any part of your projects, writing, brainstorming, or drafting, I ask that you please add a footnote on the first page stating that you used A.I. to support your writing with a note explaining HOW you used it.

Well, I turned to Chat GPT for these answers. Please read the following points (the green text is copied and pasted from Chat GPT), taken from the English Class ChatGPT Policy. (ChatGPT produced 10 guidelines but I’m only highlighting a few here.)

1.     Academic Integrity: When seeking help for assignments or projects, use ChatGPT as a resource for understanding concepts and generating ideas, but always ensure your work is your own. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are not tolerated.

2.     Proofreading and Editing: ChatGPT can assist in proofreading and editing written work. However, remember that human proofreading is still valuable for accurate feedback.

3.     Questioning Information: While ChatGPT strives to provide accurate information, it's always a good practice to cross-reference important information with reliable sources, especially for academic or critical purposes.

4.     Time Management: Utilize ChatGPT for a reasonable amount of time during the class as directed by the teacher. Remember that balancing various learning methods is essential for effective language acquisition.

Disclaimer: While ChatGPT is a powerful tool for language learning, it's not infallible. It might occasionally provide incorrect or irrelevant information. Always use your critical thinking skills and consult with your teacher for clarification when in doubt.

In addition, please review the benefits and considerations of using A.I. for our English course that ChatGPT identified:

Benefits:

1.     Personalized Learning: ChatGPT can offer personalized assistance to students, helping them with specific language challenges they may face.

2.     Additional Practice: Students can use ChatGPT for extra practice in grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills outside of the classroom.

3.     Language Exploration: Students can engage in conversational interactions with ChatGPT to practice spoken English and explore different language nuances.

Considerations:

1.     Dependence on Technology: Relying heavily on ChatGPT might discourage students from thinking critically and engaging deeply with the material.

2.     Authenticity: ChatGPT might not replicate real-life interactions and the authentic feedback that a human teacher can provide.

3.     Plagiarism Concerns: There's a risk that students might misuse ChatGPT for generating plagiarized content.

4.     Privacy and Data Security: Ensure that the platform used for ChatGPT interactions prioritizes data privacy and security, especially when students are involved.

5.     Balancing Traditional Methods: ChatGPT should complement, not replace, traditional teaching methods and resources.

Lastly, please read through what ChatGPT identifies as restricted use of it’s program:

1.     Originality and Plagiarism: AI tools should not be used to generate or complete assignments, projects, or papers on behalf of the student. Students are expected to produce original work that reflects their understanding and critical thinking.

2.     Academic Dishonesty: Using AI tools to submit work that is not entirely their own constitutes academic dishonesty and undermines the learning process. Such actions can lead to penalties and a lack of genuine learning.

3.     Assessment Integrity: AI-generated content should not be submitted as part of formal assessments unless explicitly instructed by the instructor. Students are responsible for their own contributions to assessments.