Rather than treating AI as an add-on consideration to your existing course syllabus, develop your AI policy as an integral part of your course design. This can ensure that your AI policy remains grounded in your course learning objectives and disciplinary values.
General Recommendations
- Use . When developing your AI policy, begin by considering your course goals and learning outcomes as the foundation for all other AI-related decisions. The pedagogical rationale should drive policy choices rather than being an afterthought. This ensures that AI integration serves specific educational purposes rather than being adopted simply because the technology exists.
- Tailor AI use to specific assignments. While a general AI policy can provide overall guidance, assignment-specific guidelines offer more nuanced direction. Consider creating a matrix that maps different types of learning activities to appropriate AI use levels, allowing for variation based on the skills being developed and assessed.
- Plan for different levels of access. Some students may not be able to access certain AI tools due to financial, technical, or ethical constraints. Plan alternatives for these situations.
- Plan for evolution. Build flexibility into your approach, recognizing that AI policies might need adjustment as the technology evolves and as you gain experience with using it in the classroom. Establish processes for gathering student feedback and making mid-semester adjustments when necessary.
- Prioritize transparency.听Maintain clear documentation of AI use expectations and provide multiple opportunities for students to seek clarification. This includes not only written policies but also verbal reinforcement and ongoing classroom discussions about appropriate AI use.
Considerations by Syllabus Component
Review the tabs below for important questions and action items to consider when designing each component of your syllabus.
Course Design