Strategies for Supporting Students in the Ethical Use of AI Writing Tools

These strategies were generated in consultation with the Office of Information Technology, the Center for Teaching and Learning, eCampus Center, the Dean of Students Academic Integrity Program, the Office of Compliance, the Writing Center, and other academic leaders.

Create a Culture of Trust With Your Students

Talk openly with your students about your goals and outcomes for assigning writing, your grading criteria, and the process that you expect students to use for meeting those goals/criteria. Be clear about your expectations around the use of AI writing tools, and how you will treat AI-generated writing as it pertains to academic integrity.

Make Sure That Your Students Have Access to the Support and Structure They Need To Excel as Writers

The unethical use of AI, like plagiarism, is most tempting for students when they do not have the tools for success. Teach students about the genres of writing that you are assigning them to write in, so that they understand the conventions of these genres and how to approach writing them. And talk to your students about your office hours, the Writing Center, English Language Support Programs, and other resources for supporting student writers.

Teach Writing as an Interactive Process, With Students Demonstrating Revision Based on Feedback

Assign writing in ways that incorporate feedback, with students creating multiple drafts that show how they’ve responded to input from you, their peers, and/or others.

Use Assignments That Are Specific to Your Course, and Create Room for Students’ Own Experience & Voice

AI is astoundingly good at generating texts on any domain of knowledge that exists on the web. Only your students can create writing on the specific ideas and topics that emerge in your course, as they pertain to their own lived experiences. As you consider your assignments, you might also consider incorporating other, non-text-based assessment strategies (multimedia assignments, projects, case scenarios, etc.).

Talk to Your Students About AI Writing

AI Writing will, for better or worse, be a fundamental part of the scholarly & professional world that our students will graduate into. By making AI Writing a part of our courses, we can encourage writers to use it in ways that are responsible & ethical, and that add to, rather than detract from, their voice as writers.

For additional guidance implementing these strategies, please contact the Center for Teaching & Learning. You also can request an individual consultation with a member of the CTL’s staff.