Artificial Intelligence 101
Please note: this page is a WORK IN PROGRESS. The field of AI is changing rapidly, and tools, advice, and best practices may go out of date quickly.
Click the button below to access the “AI Playground” – a Canva-created worksheet that includes links to fun & free examples of AI tools to try without login requirements or upfront cost.
AI Articles
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AI Tools Gallery
Examples of AI tools you can use in your classes. (Click on a specific tool card for more information.)
Custom GPTs
A custom GPT is a ChatGPT “chatbot” that has pre-loaded with specific instructions for completing a specific task.
Click HERE to try out the Canva Quiz Creation Custom GPT.
AI-Related Vocabulary
Artificial Intelligence is the description given to technology in which tasks that used to only be performed by humans (due to the perception, complexity, or creativity involved) can now be performed by a computer (or algorithm, etc.).
Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence, in which the technology is creating (or generating) new content, based on given prompts. The content might be text, images, video, etc.
Machine Learning is the use and development of computer systems that can learn and adapt without following explicit instructions. (Meaning, computers can do functions without be explicitly programmed with every possibility on every step)
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Examples of AI
This list represents some main categories of AI-powered technology. It is not a definitive list, but a good introductory set for someone wanting to test common AI-powered tools.
These are tools that existed before the “AI Revolution of 2023”
- Siri/Alexa
- Facial Recognition
- Photo Background Removers (Canva)
- Auto-complete text
- Grammarly
An AI-powered tool that communicates with the user using human speech. Usually trained on a large collection of language (but may not have access to up-to-date information).
Create copyright-free images based on a provided prompt (including subject and image style)
- Bing Image Create
- Midjourney (accessed through Discord)
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Points of Caution
- AI-generated content may contain “hallucinations,” inaccuracies, and/or bias.
- AI-detectors are NOT recommended by those studying and working regularly with AI. Please do not base any conclusive decisions on the originality of student work on any AI-detector!
- If everyone in a class (single IP address) tries to log into a tool like ChatGPT at the same time, everyone may get temporarily locked out.
- In general, you need to assume that students can – and will – use AI to complete any digital (and some analog) work assigned.
- If we do not help guide our students towards informed and responsible use of AI, we are doing them a DISSERVICE.
- You may have to deal with parents who are strongly opposed to the use of AI tools for religious – or other – reasons.
- ChatGPT does have an app. However, if you would like your students to use it, I recommend providing them a direct link, as some of the apps that will appear when you search are PG-13 and not necessarily appropriate for school.
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Prompting Tips
- No matter the tool or circumstance, plan to be ITERATIVE in your AI prompts. It may take many attempts, with lots of clarification, to get the exact response you are looking for.
- Pro Prompt: “…but first, ask me some questions I can answer to help you complete this request.”
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Syllabus Policy & Verbiage
I highly recommend including a paragraph about AI use (and the impact it may have on your assignments and grading) in your course syllabus. The following list includes factors to take into consideration:
- AI tools are developing quickly, so classroom policies around AI usage are subject to change.
- Most textbooks and assignments were conceptualized / created pre-AI, so assignment parameters may be subject to last-minute changes as well.
- Include a note about HOW those updates will be communicated to students.
Recommendations:
- Specify AI usage requirements and limitations on a per-assignment basis.
- Base expectations and limitations of AI usage on overall goal of assignment:
- Is this a process students need to replicate (without AI assistance)
- Is this something they would be able to use AI (or a template) for in the “real world”?
- Are certain things universally acceptable or unacceptable?
- e.g. “It will never be ok to have ChatGPT write your essay, and then you turn it in as your own work.’
- e.g. “In general, you are allowed to use AI-tools to assist in you with your assignments, as long as you are transparent about how the tool was used.”
What information do you want parents to know about AI? What questions or concerns do you anticipate parents having?
Sample Verbiage (feel free to swipe this text and adapt for your own syllabi)
Please note: this paragraph is not the “official” policy of Francis Tuttle Technology Center and should be regarded as a template only!
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, with new tools and capabilities emerging daily. As a result, assignment and grading criteria for this course may need to be updated throughout the year, to accommodate these new technologies. If students use an AI tool as part of their coursework, they should be prepared to provide evidence of their personal contribution to the work, to explain how and why AI was utilized, to define all terminology used, to be able to paraphrase responses verbally, etc. Academic honesty issues related to AI will be handled carefully on an individual basis. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out proactively with any questions or concerns they may have related to the use of AI in this course.
*The first draft of this paragraph was written by Amanda Dills and edited for clarity using the AI-based Formalizer tool at https://goblin.tools/formalizer
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Plagiarism and AI
In an AI-aided world, “plagiarism” becomes harder to define. The chart below was created by Matt Miller, and I think it does a great job of laying out some of the nuance in the AI/plagiarism discussion:
This article by Matt Miller further expands on the dilemma faced by educators when trying to define and enforce plagiarism policies in a post-AI classroom: https://ditchthattextbook.com/ai-conversations/
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For More Information
- Amanda’s AI Tools Database (linked here, but also embedded at the top of this page).
- Microsoft AI for Educators Course
Q&A
What questions or concerns do you have about AI? What can ID3 help you with? Share your answers in this poll: