Navigating the use of GenAI is new to both students and faculty, and the conversation about their academic uses is ongoing and evolving. GenAI tools represent an exciting addition to the learning process that can be deployed in innovative ways to advance learning objectives, however, users should be thoughtful and responsible in their use. Below are some helpful questions to guide you in academic integrity and encourage responsible use of GenAI tools.
If you have any doubts about using GenAI for academic work, be sure to ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR.
You are expected to complete the work assigned to you so the professor can see if you are learning and what you’ve learned. Ask yourself these two questions before using an AI resource/tool.
Q: Is the resource/tool doing the thing for you that is being assessed?
Make sure you are doing the work that is being assessed. For example, if spelling isn’t being assessed, then you can use a spell checker. However, if your language skills are being assessed, then you shouldn't use Chat GPT or Google Translate (for example).
Q: Is the resource/tool allowed by the course instructor?
If you use a tool/resource that has been prohibited OR if you use one that is not explicitly allowed, then you might be cheating.
Q: Does using GenAI on this assignment (given the learning objectives) undermine honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness or trustworthiness?
Q: Does using GenAI on this assignment undermine academic integrity standards of the instructor or the institution (e.g., what you submit should be your own work in your own words)
Q: If the professor or University administrators knew I used GenAI for this assignment, do I feel okay about that or fearful about that being exposed?
Stephen Taylor's blog post that argues against the implementation of an AI policy in higher education, from January 2023.
ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education
By Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook.
July 7, 2023, MIT Technology Review article by Rhiannon Williams.