AI Use Statements & Policies
As Generative AI technologies rapidly evolve, it is crucial for faculty to be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to make choices about guiding students and integrating this powerful technology into their teaching practices. This webpage will be updated as tools and guidelines continue to evolve.
Regarding AI, what are Kean faculty expected to do?
Kean requires faculty to create a AI policy that discipline and course appropriate. Instructors are urged to make this plain on syllabi and to explain how students should and should not use AI applications in preparing course assignments. Faculty should align their policy to department expectations.
Kean University's academic integrity guidelines emphasize the need for students to attribute authorship to others when the work the present is not their own through the use of quotation marks, citations, and oral source attributions, and other means of making clear what is original to the student and what is taken from other sources. Any use of generative AI -- meaning programs such as ChatGPT, GPT 4, DALL-E, Vertex, and many others to come -- is subject to the same citation rules as any ideas, text, speech, or imagery derived from human authors.
Instructors are also encouraged to include learning activities that prompt students to critically discuss, analyze and evaluate the opportunities and limitations/pitfalls of using generative AI within the specific field of study covered in the course.
TIPS for writing your own AI Use Policy
These guidelines below seek to recognize the growing role of AI tools in academia and the professional world, while maintaining academic integrity and promoting responsible use of technology. The below key ideas can be helpful as you develop your classroom Generative AI expectations and instruction:
Teach using a draft-writing approach and emphasizing the writing process is best practice. By requiring students to submit their work at various stages of the writing process, faculty can help students to develop their ideas and ensure that student essays are original and well-written.
Design assignments that encourage original work, that require critical and creative thinking and goes beyond summarizing information. These kind of assignments minimizes the risk of academic dishonesty.
Create instructional activities that guide students guide students to appropriately use AI/ChatGPT tools as a writing aid and NOT as a replacement for original thought and writing.
Require in class writing assignments (major and smaller assignments)
Should I prohibit the use of AI?
It's challenging to effectively detect generative AI work, particularly in text-based formats, due to limitations in current technology. As generative AI advances, this task becomes even more complex. Consequently, many argue that a complete prohibition of AI usage is not feasible.
Emphasizing the development of ethical practices regarding generative AI should be a priority in your interactions with students. This necessitates establishing a robust set of shared values related to learning, academic integrity, and understanding the capabilities and constraints of generative AI tools in discussions between you and your students
Five Key Elements of an AI statement in a syllabus
Faculty are expected to create a AI policy that discipline appropriate and include the below key elements:
1) Specific Use Guidelines (what is permitted/ allowed with guidelines/ prohibitted)
2) Student Responsibility
3) Violation Consequences
4) Exceptions
5) Clarifications
Click drop down arrow for more information on these elements
Student Responsibility: Indicate that students are responsible for ...
Appropriately using it as per the faculty guidelines in each class.
Using AI tools as a supplemental resource (i.e., as an editor), not as the primary means of writing completing assignments
Citing all AI-generated content used in assignments
Demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter, relying not solely on AI-generated content.
Understanding that generative AI tools are fallible and can produce misinformation or inaccurate results. Students are responsible for the accuracy of their submissions. This involves cross-referencing assertions and statements with original sources and providing appropriate citations.
Violation Consequences: Can address impacts on learning and penalties.
Examples of impact on learning: Misuse of AI tools and relying too heavily on AI for work completion undermines your learning and limits your growth experienced from completing assignments.
Examples discussion of penalty: Consequences may range from a reduction in an individual assignment grade to larger academic sanctions as outlined in the academic integrity guidelines.
Clarifications: Remind your students that if they are unsure whether a tool qualifies as a generative AI tool, or if have questions regarding allowable use, they must consult with you before using it.
SYLLABUS RECOMMENDATION:
Click on the dropdown menu to see sample course AI policy statements, created by Kean faculty.
As you read the policies, notice the wide range of approaches and how faculty match their policy to the discipline and course goals.
We provide these examples as "inspiration" for your own policy. The authors of these statements encourage you to "borrow" text that works for you. If you have questions or need help, feel free to reach out to drosen@kean.edu
Policy in an Education Class:
AI is ubiquitous in today's technology driven society. This class prepares you for teaching with technology in meaningful ways. Therefore, we will intentionally use AI at specific times in the course. There will also be assignments where I ask you to affirm that you did not use AI CTL July 2023 to construct a response. These assignments will be checked using AI writing detection tools like Turnitin and GPTZero.
Policy in an Mathematics Class:
You are allowed to use any software to do homework (10% of your grade), including GPT-4/chat GPT, especially to check your work. Critical assessments (such as quizzes and exams) are in-class and students can use their textbook, graphing calculator, and notes (and as many formulas as needed). No mobile phones or web browsing is allowed during in-class assessments, so generative AI cannot be used.
Policy in an Humanities Class:
You may use AI programs e.g. ChatGPT to help generate ideas and brainstorm. Think of generative AI as an always-available brainstorming partner. However, you should note that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. Beware that use may also stifle your own independent thinking and creativity. When/if you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms in your assignments, please write a note to clarify where in your process you used AI and which platform(s) you used. If you include material generated by an AI program, it should be cited like any other reference material. We will discuss this more throughout the semester in class **Please note, you may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own. Additional information about AI in higher education and this policy can be found at the webpage
AI Statement for CBPM Courses:
Organizations are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and appropriate use of AI technology is part of a leading-edge education. AI programs (e.g. ChatGPT/GPT-4/Bard) can be valuable tools for gathering information and generating ideas. However, material generated by AI programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. Your instructor will specifically state when AI programs are allowed for use in assignments, if you are unsure whether you should be using AI, then you should ask your instructor. If allowed by your instructor, inclusion of AI generated material must always be properly cited like any other reference material. Students should never submit AI generated work as their own original work as this would constitute a plagiarism violation as defined by the University Academic Integrity Policy and subject to appropriate sanctions. Instructors may use Canvas Turn-it-in technology to monitor AI content in assignments.
AI Statement from a Health Class
Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community for a my fair evaluation of your work. All your work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with the University's Academic Regulations.
Kean University’s academic integrity guidelines emphasize the need for students to attribute authorship to others when the work they present is not their own thought through the use of quotation marks, citations, and oral source attributions, and other means of making clear what is original to the student and what is taken from other sources.
Academic work involves developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and effective communication, which cannot be fully developed by relying solely on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Engaging in independent research, reading, writing and discussion with peers and instructors are crucial components of academic work that should not be overlooked or replaced by technology.
Use of AI tools, including, but not limited to, ChatGPT is permitted in this course for students who wish to use them. HOWEVER, To adhere to the University's scholarly values, students MUST CITE ANY AI-generated material that informed their work (this includes, but not limited to, in-text citations and/or use of quotations and in your reference list).
Using an AI tool to generate content WITHOUT PROPER attribution qualifies as academic dishonesty. Additionally, be aware that information derived from these tools is often incomplete or inaccurate.
Any assignment that is found to have been plagiarized or to have used unauthorized AI tools may receive a zero and/or be reported.
Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.
Any use of generative AI – meaning programs such as ChatGPT, GPT 4, DALL-E, Vertex and many others to come – is subject to the same citation rules as any ideas, text, speech, or imagery derived from human authors.
Any student who is unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructor for clarification.