AI & the Academy

Welcome to AI in the Classroom

Explore our collection of hands-on activities and assignments designed to make artificial intelligence accessible and engaging. These curated resources will help you work with or against generative AI in your classroom.

This page is always in development, so check back soon to see what's new.

You can suggest or request classroom tips or tricks by emailing Allyson.Turner@ccaurora.edu. 

Stop, Slow, Go: A System for When to Use AI

Instructor Guidelines: Before sharing the stop, slow, go system with your students, follow these implementation steps

1. Customize the Categories: Review each category (Stop, Slow, Go) and adjust based on your:
   1. Course learning objectives
   2. Assignment types
   3. Student level
   4. Department policies
2. Set Clear Documentation Requirements: Decide how students should document AI use:
   1. Required format for citations
   2. Level of detail needed for citation (e.g. a description of how they used it or copy of the AI chat transcript, drafts, etc.)
   3. Where and how documentation should appear
   4. Examples of acceptable documentation
3. Introduce the System: Present the system in the first week of class and indicate which assignments correspond to which category.
   1. Consider a practice exercise where students categorize different AI uses.
   2. Review the system before each major assignment.
4. Monitor and Adjust
   1. Check student documentation regularly
   2. Address common misunderstandings
   3. Update guidelines as needed
   4. Share examples of good AI use practices
5. Support Student Learning
   1. Demonstrate appropriate AI use in class
   2. Show examples of both good and problematic AI use
   3. Create opportunities for students to practice with guidance
   4. Discuss AI's capabilities and limitations

Student Guidelines

Just like traffic lights help us navigate roads safely, these guidelines will help you navigate the appropriate use of AI tools in your coursework.

🔴 STOP: Never Use AI

Please do not use any AI on any STOP assignments. In these assignments, it is important that I see your work without any AI interventions. Assignments in this class that you may not use AI on are:

• Final exams, tests, quizzes
• Persona narratives
• Research journal

Using AI on STOP assignments may result in a 0 for the assignment.

🟡 SLOW: Use with Caution & Documentation

On SLOW assignments, you can use generative AI with caution, but you must document how you used it. These assignments require your original thinking first, with AI as a support tool. Remember to include an AI usage note. Some ways you might use AI on a SLOW assignment are:

• Brainstorming ideas (note AI use in your process)
• Getting feedback on your work
• Checking grammar and clarity

Assignments in the SLOW category are:

• Annotated bibliography
• Argumentative essay draft

When using AI in the "SLOW" category, include a brief note at the end of your assignment:

AI Usage Note: I used [Tool Name] to [specific use, e.g. brainstorm topics, revise this paragraph for better transitions, check grammar]. All final writing and ideas are my own.

🟢 GO: Encouraged AI Use

For GO assignments, you are encouraged to use AI as a learning tool. These assignments are designed to help you practice using AI effectively while developing your skills. You don't need to document AI use for these assignments. Some ways you might use AI in GO assignments are:

• Getting explanations of complex concepts
• Practicing citation formatting
• Creating study guides
• Generating example thesis statements

Assignments in the GO category are:

• Practice exercises
• Reading notes
• Audience assessment

Remember

• When in doubt, ask your instructor
• Always maintain academic integrity
• Use AI as a tool for learning, not a shortcut
• Your original thinking and work should always be the foundation