AI: Co-Pilot, ChatGPT & Your Class

In this course, I will allow some use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered programs such as Co-Pilot (Note: Co-Pilot is the only official tool provided to all within UMB,and contains privacy-protection measures not offered by other tools, if you are logged into your UMB account) or ChatGPT to assist you with certain assignments. While you may leverage these tools, it is essential to understand and adhere to the following guidelines:

• Prohibited Use:

  • The use of AI tools for generating any form of written assignments or responding to discussion prompts, is strictly prohibited. These assignments should reflect your independent thinking, analysis, and synthesis of course materials.

• Permissible Use:

  • You may utilize AI tools to seek clarification, explore ideas, brainstorm, or gain additional perspectives on course-related topics.  Remember, the use of AI tools should enhance your understanding and critical thinking, not replace your intellectual engagement and analysis.  It is your responsibility to clearly communicate the AI involvement in your work and distinguish your original contributions from any AI-generated content.

• Academic Integrity:

  • To maintain academic integrity, always cite the use of AI tools appropriately in accordance with the APA citation style guidelines.  The APA blog provides specific instructions on how to cite ChatGPT and similar AI models (https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt).  By adhering to these guidelines, you can responsibly incorporate AI tools into your work while ensuring academic integrity and transparency.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of the inherent bias that may exist in AI algorithms. AI tools, including ChatGPT, can sometimes include inaccuracies or exhibit biases in their outputs. As scholars, it is crucial to approach AI-generated content critically and use content knowledge or seek information from reputable secondary sources to verify any potentially biased or inaccurate information. This will ensure that your academic work is well-informed, reliable, and free from any unintended bias from the AI tools used. If you have any questions about the appropriate use of AI tools or citing AI-generated content, feel free to reach out for clarification.

This page of AI-related classroom teaching considerations from the UMD (University of Maryland, College Park) Teaching and Learning Transformation Center is an excellent resource. 

UMB's FCTL has developed this resource on AI, exploring AI in graduate education and The Chronicle, this article as  grad student's user's guide. 

Here's a list of class policies related to AI shared by faculty around the world for their classes. (Use this for ideas about your own class policies)

Discussion boards and ChatGPT (article from Times Higher Education) - the article discusses strategies for an online instructor to modify discussion board prompts based on student usage of AI/ChatGPT. 

APA has posted an excellent blog post about how to cite ChatGPT and AI tools, as well as recommendations for including their usage in Methods sections as well as Appendices. 

AI Tricks and Tips for Social Work Education Practice - article in The New Social Worker magazine

1. Bias

2. Looking back, not forward

3. Includes inaccuracies that require content knowledge or secondary sources to verify