ChatGPT is now unblocked for students. AI Tools have the potential to either enhance their learning and productivity, or completely bipass their critical thinking and creativity. The difference is in how they utilize these tools.
I choose to embrace AI Tools and am actively teaching my 12th grade students how to use them in an ethical, academically honest way. If you are interested in seeing my AI Tools policy, including concrete examples of appropriate use and misuse, follow this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hVQcdGpXIK1qSwMMy2pD1P5wQi5iw2534Q-QI9eD0v0/edit?usp=sharing
In my policy I address the overall purpose of AI Tools and the general philosophy that I want students to adopt regarding AI. I then give specific examples of good AI prompts that students can use in an upcoming essay, explaining why they’re ethical. I also provide specific examples of unethical or problematic essay prompts that they might be tempted to use, explaining why they must always be avoided. Finally I give other general examples of misusing AI, doing my best to cover all the bases.
When I reviewed this policy with students I made it abundantly clear that I want an open door of communication regarding the use of AI. If they have questions about using AI, I want them to ask. There is no stigma or judgement. I also made it clear that my policies are my own, and other teachers may have differing views on how to use AI (if at all). As such, I told them to always check with their instructors before using AI Tools.
Ultimately, AI is here to stay. I want my students to know how to use AI Tools effectively and ethically. Hopefully by getting ahead of it and destigmatizing AI, I will be successful in training students in how to use it appropriately.
Jacob, I love this. We are all going to struggle with how to handle AI…I so love this sentence "There is no stigma or judgement." what a wonderful way to approach and support. We are all learning — they are too. This walking together and accompanying each other on the journey of how to use this tool correctly is awesome.
I like your guidelines overall. I do think that "Can you help me generate a potential outline that I could use as a framework for writing my essay? I am still in the brainstorming phase" would be beyond the pale for me. The framework should be their ability to construct a logical sequence of concepts to create their argument, and not being able to crack that nut impedes their ability to understand if the nut is cracked badly (to take this metaphor way too far).
The other thing I don't think a lot of people truly comprehend is that ChatGPT will straight up invent sources. It knows that the user is expecting to see a reference, but it gives what a plausible reference might look like, not necessarily a real reference that exists.
I also got into an argument with it about The Brothers Karamazov because it insisted Dmitri gave someone an onion, whearas it was Grushenka relating the folktale of the peasant woman giving someone an onion. Then when I asked why it thought that Dmitri gave the onion, it shut down and refused to answer.