Practical Assessment Guidelines for Students and Teachers Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in an Online School

Introduction: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom provides a unique opportunity for enhanced learning, personalized education, and efficient assessment. However, it is important to set clear guidelines to ensure that AI tools are used effectively and ethically.

These guidelines are designed to help both students and teachers maximize the benefits of AI while maintaining academic integrity.

1.  Understanding AI in the Learning Process

●     Students:

• AI tools (e.g., chatbots, writing assistants, or learning platforms) are intended to support learning, not replace personal effort.
  • Understand the capabilities and limitations of AI tools; these tools should be used as an aid to research, understanding, or skill development, not as a shortcut to complete tasks.
  • Always give credit to AI-generated content, similar to citing sources or references in traditional assignments.

●     Teachers:

• Choose AI tools that align with curriculum goals and complement the learning objectives.
  • Clearly communicate to students which AI tools are allowed for specific tasks, emphasizing the educational purpose over convenience.
  • Ensure AI tools are reliable, secure, and do not compromise student privacy.

2.  Ethical and Responsible Use of AI

●     Students:

• Avoid over-reliance on AI, which could impede personal development and understanding of the subject matter.
  • Do not use AI to plagiarize, generate fraudulent work, or manipulate assessments (e.g., generating essays or assignments without input).
  • Adhere to academic honesty policies and report any misuse of AI tools, whether by yourself or others.

●     Teachers:

• Educate students on the ethical use of AI and the importance of academic integrity.
  • Regularly monitor student work to ensure AI tools are being used appropriately and not to circumvent learning.
  • Provide clear instructions regarding what constitutes acceptable AI assistance in assignments.

3.  Assessment Criteria

●     Students:

• Ensure that AI-generated content is appropriately integrated into your work, with clear distinctions between your ideas and AI input.
  • When submitting AI-enhanced work (e.g., using AI for research or data analysis), include a summary of how the AI tool was used.
  • Be prepared to discuss how AI tools contributed to your learning and outcomes during assessments.

●     Teachers:

• Design assessments that evaluate both content mastery and the students’ understanding of how they used AI tools.
  • Encourage students to reflect on the role AI played in their work through self-assessments or project journals.
  • Provide rubrics that consider both the creativity, originality, and responsible use of AI in student work.
  • Regularly review assignments for the correct application of AI tools, ensuring that the final work reflects the student’s understanding.

4.  Collaboration with AI Tools

●     Students:

• Use AI tools to enhance your learning, but avoid over-dependence on them. Use them as a tool to guide your thinking, not as a crutch.
  • Work collaboratively with AI tools by inputting your ideas, engaging with its suggestions, and iterating on your work, rather than using AI to complete tasks automatically.

●     Teachers:

• Encourage students to interact with AI tools actively, rather than passively accepting results. Promote critical thinking by asking students to analyze and critique AI-generated responses.
  • Provide guidance on how to effectively collaborate with AI, using it to expand knowledge while nurturing skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and analysis.

5.  AI and Personalization in Learning

●     Students:

• Take advantage of AI’s ability to provide personalized learning experiences by seeking targeted feedback, practice questions, or additional resources as needed.
  • Monitor your own progress, and use AI feedback to improve in areas where you may need more practice.

●     Teachers:

• Leverage AI’s data-driven insights to tailor instruction and feedback to individual student needs.

• Use AI tools to track student progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide personalized support.
  • Regularly review data generated by AI tools to assess their effectiveness in supporting diverse learning styles and needs.

6.  Privacy and Data Security

●     Students:

• Be cautious when entering personal information or data into AI tools, and understand how your data will be used and stored.
  • Ensure you are using AI tools that comply with privacy policies and school guidelines.

●     Teachers:

• Ensure the AI tools you select comply with data protection regulations (such as GDPR or FERPA) and ensure student data is secure.
  • Maintain transparency with students about the AI tools being used, including data collection practices and privacy protections.

7.  Monitoring and Feedback

●     Students:

• Be proactive in seeking feedback from teachers on your use of AI tools, ensuring that you are using them correctly and effectively.
  • Request clarification if you are unsure about how to use an AI tool or how much assistance it can provide in specific tasks.

●     Teachers:

• Regularly assess how students are interacting with AI tools and provide guidance when misuse or over-reliance is observed.
  • Offer personalized feedback on how students can improve their work, encouraging them to use AI responsibly as a supplement to their learning.

8.  Training and Support

●     Students:

• Take part in any AI tool training provided by the school to better understand how to use the tools responsibly and effectively.
  • Ask questions if you encounter any challenges with AI tools to ensure you are using them optimally.

●     Teachers:

• Provide tutorials and training sessions for students on how to effectively use AI tools in the classroom.

• Stay updated on AI developments and ensure that you are well-equipped to guide students through responsible and effective usage.