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AI Literacy and Critical Thinking

National Guidelines

AI and the future of teaching and Learning 

In May 2023, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology published a report including insights and recommendations.

Feel free to read the full report: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of  Teaching and Learning. 

Key Insights:

  • AI enables new forms of interaction. 

  • AI can help educators address variability in student learning.

  • AI supports powerful forms of adaptivity.

  • AI increases existing risks and introduces news risks yet to be considered. 

Recommendations:

1. Emphasize Humans-in-the-Loop. 

2. Align AI Models to a Shared Vision for Education.                            

3. Design AI Using Modern Learning Principles. 

4. Prioritize Strengthening Trust. 

5. Inform and Involve Educators. 

6. Focus R&D on Addressing Context and Enhancing Trust and Safety. 

7. Develop Education-specific Guidelines and Guardrails. 

On Day 1, it is highly recommended to follow these steps to ensure a your students are aware of your position in using/not using AI generative content in your course:

  1. Set Expectations:

    • Engage students in a discussion about AI to establish their understanding and expectations.
    • Address the importance of accuracy and reliability when utilizing AI-generated content.
    • Familiarize students with AI tool navigation to promote ease of use throughout the course.

  2. Critical Media Literacy:

    •  Help your students understand the importance of evaluating AI sources effectively. Feel free to use Critical Media Literacy Guides or encourage them to join the events/sessions on AI literacy.

  3. Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity:

    • Discuss the code of conduct, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty with students.
    • Emphasize that submitting AI-generated work without proper citation is considered plagiarism.
    • Familiarize students with APA/MLA citation guidelines for referencing AI-generated content.

  4. Ethical Use of GPT Generated Content:

    • Encourage an open discussion about students' views on using GPT-generated content in the course.
    • Help students decide on their own AI writing policy/guidelines for responsible usage.

  5. Syllabus Expectations:

    • Set clear expectations in your syllabus regarding the integration of AI in the course.
    • Include a statement outlining the guidelines and policies related to AI usage.

  6. Build Relationships/trust with Students:

    • Take the opportunity to build positive relationships with your students from the start.
    • Foster a supportive and engaging learning environment through communication and interaction.