Frequently Asked Questions

• Create digital artwork: Generate stunning visuals and designs.
• Write text: Produce articles, stories, and other written content.
• Edit and improve audio: Enhance sound quality and remove noise.
• Find research articles: Locate articles on specific topics for your studies.
• Automate tasks: Streamline repetitive tasks to save time.
• Analyze data: Process and interpret large datasets for insights.
• Personalize experiences: Tailor recommendations and services to individual preferences.

Disclaimer: This is highly dependent on the specific Generative Artificial Intelligence (gAI) service you’re using. Be sure to verify your sources.

1. Personalized Learning: Imagine having a tireless, virtual tutor for each of your students. AI tutors can analyze student performance and create customized learning paths, providing targeted practice and feedback exactly where it's needed. This can be a game-changer for students who need extra support or those who are racing ahead.
2. Automated Grading: Grading mountains of essays and quizzes can eat into valuable lesson planning time. AI can step in and handle the repetitive tasks like scoring multiple-choice questions or checking for basic grammar errors. This frees you up to focus on more complex assessments and providing in-depth, personalized feedback to your students.
3. Adaptive Learning Platforms: Say goodbye to the one-size-fits-all approach to education. AI-powered platforms can assess a student's understanding and adjust the difficulty of learning materials in real-time. This ensures students are neither bored nor overwhelmed, keeping them engaged and motivated throughout the learning process.

To effectively integrate AI into your teaching and administrative tasks, consider the following steps:

1. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest AI developments in education. Subscribe to relevant journals, attend webinars, and participate in professional development opportunities.

2. Evaluate AI Tools: Identify AI tools that can enhance your teaching. This could include AI-driven grading systems, virtual teaching assistants, or adaptive learning platforms. Test these tools to understand their capabilities and limitations.

3. Curriculum Integration: Plan how AI can be incorporated into your curriculum. This might involve using AI tools for personalized learning experiences, incorporating AI-related topics into your syllabus, or designing projects that require students to engage with AI technologies.

4. Ethical Considerations: Understand the ethical implications of using AI in education. Ensure that the AI tools you choose respect student privacy and data security. Discuss these ethical considerations with your students to raise awareness.

5. Skill Development: Enhance your own AI literacy. Take online courses or workshops to learn about AI fundamentals, machine learning, and data analysis. This will help you better understand and utilize AI tools.

6. Collaborate: Work with colleagues to share insights and strategies for using AI in the classroom. Collaboration can lead to innovative approaches and provide support as you navigate new technologies.

7. Student Engagement: Prepare to engage students with AI. Create assignments and activities that encourage students to explore AI concepts and applications. Foster a classroom environment where students feel comfortable discussing and experimenting with AI.

8. Feedback and Adaptation: Be open to feedback from students and colleagues about the use of AI in your teaching. Use this feedback to continuously improve your approach and adapt to new AI advancements.

By taking these steps, faculty can effectively prepare for the upcoming semester with AI in mind, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences.

1. Start Small, Dream Big: Don't be intimidated by the vastness of AI technology. There are plenty of free, user-friendly AI tools designed specifically for educators. Begin by exploring tools that address specific tasks you find time-consuming, like grammar checking or vocabulary building. Once you're comfortable, you can gradually integrate more advanced features into your teaching.
2. Find the Right Fit: AI isn't a magic bullet, but it can be a powerful tool to address specific challenges in your classroom. Identify areas where you crave more support, whether it's providing individualized practice for struggling students or differentiating instruction for advanced learners. Then, research AI tools that target those specific needs.
3. Experiment and Reflect: The beauty of AI in education is its flexibility. Don't be afraid to experiment with different AI tools and see what resonates with you and your students. After trying a new tool, take time to reflect on its impact. Did it improve student engagement? Did it free up time for more meaningful teaching moments? This self-reflection will help you refine your AI strategy and get the most out of this exciting technology.

1. Engagement is Key: AI shouldn't replace the irreplaceable role of a human educator. View AI tools as a way to enhance student engagement and free yourself up for more creative and interactive teaching moments. Use AI to personalize learning, spark discussions, and allow for more hands-on activities in your classroom.
2. The Human Touch Matters: There's no substitute for a passionate and inspiring teacher. AI can't replicate the human element of education – the ability to connect with students, spark curiosity, and guide them on their learning journeys. Use AI to supplement your teaching, not replace it.
3. Stay Ahead of the Curve: The world of AI is constantly evolving. To maximize its potential in your classroom, commit to ongoing professional development. There are numerous workshops, online courses, and resources available specifically for educators looking to stay up-to-date on the latest AI tools and strategies.
4. Embrace the Journey: AI is a powerful tool for transforming education, but it's an ongoing journey. Be open to learning and adapting as AI technology continues to develop. This growth mindset will ensure you can leverage AI to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for your students.

If you suspect a student has used AI in your class despite your policy, consider the following steps:

1. Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that suggests the use of AI. This could include unusual changes in writing style, inconsistencies in the student’s work, or the use of advanced language and concepts that seem out of character. If you choose to use an AI detection tool, be aware that AI detection tools often provide both false positives and false negatives. Different AI detection tools will assess the same text very differently. Because of the limitations of the detection technologies, CAFE does not recommend the use of such tools and Cal Poly Pomona does not currently provide or support any AI detection tools. If you do choose to use such tools, ensure that you also seek other evidence including holding discussions with the student.

2. Discuss with the Student: Have a private conversation with the student. Present your concerns and the evidence you have gathered. Give the student an opportunity to explain their work and any discrepancies you have noticed.

3. Review Your Syllabus Policy: Ensure that your syllabus policy on AI use is clearly communicated and understood by all students. Reiterate the importance of adhering to this policy and the consequences of violating it.

4. Educational Approach: Use this as a teaching moment. Explain why you have chosen to restrict AI use and discuss the value of original work. Encourage students to develop their own skills and knowledge.

5. Follow Institutional Procedures: If the student’s explanation is unsatisfactory and you believe a violation has occurred, follow your institution’s procedures for academic misconduct. This may involve reporting the incident to the Office of Student Conduct & Integrity.

6. Preventive Measures: Consider implementing preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of AI misuse in the future. This could include designing assignments that are difficult for AI to complete and fostering a classroom culture that values integrity. This could include working with a CAFE Instructional Designer to design assignments that are difficult for AI to complete and fostering a classroom culture that values integrity.

By taking these steps, you can address the issue of AI misuse in your class while maintaining a fair and educational approach.

The use of third-party detection tools in the classroom can be acceptable, but it comes with several considerations and potential risks. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Privacy and Security: Third-party AI tools have varying approaches to privacy, security, and encryption. Instructors must comply with FERPA requirements for student information and privacy. Using these tools could lead to privacy and copyright violations, as they often require faculty to input examples of student work into third-party software.

2. Accuracy and Reliability: Current AI detection tools have limitations. They can have high rates of false positives (flagging human-written work as AI-generated) and false negatives (missing actual AI use). For example, at Johns Hopkins University, a false positive alert on a student paper by Turnitin had a professor falsely accuse a student of cheating. Instructors should be cautious and not rely solely on these tools for detecting AI-generated content.

3. Educational Benefits: While these tools can provide some benefits, such as identifying potential instances of AI-generated content, they should be used as part of a broader strategy. Engaging in conversations with students about appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI in their coursework can be more effective.

4. Transparency and Accountability: Before adopting any third-party tool, it is essential to ensure transparency about how the tool works, how data is handled, and whether users can opt out of the AI component. Institutions should work with vendors to address these questions and ensure proper handling of sensitive data.

In summary, while third-party detection tools can be useful, they should be used with caution and as part of a comprehensive approach to maintaining academic integrity. Instructors should prioritize privacy, accuracy, and transparency when considering these tools.

1. Clear Guidelines from the Start: As with any new technology, it's important to establish clear expectations for responsible AI use in your classroom. Develop classroom policies that address issues like plagiarism detection and student data privacy. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and fosters a safe and productive learning environment.
2. Teaching AI Literacy: Empower your students to become responsible digital citizens. Help them understand the capabilities and limitations of AI, fostering critical thinking skills and responsible online behavior. This way, they can leverage AI as a powerful learning tool while remaining aware of its potential biases and limitations.