Academic Resources Overview

AI Guidance for Students

Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) programs like Gemini, Copilot, Midjourney, and ChatGPT are powerful tools that can be beneficial to students and professors, but students should be thoughtful about how and when they use them. Here are a few key things to be aware of:

Privacy Concerns

  • some AI programs will collect what you input

Bias and Inaccuracy

  • some results are inaccurate or made up "hallucinations"
  • AI can produce biased or racist results that spread and increase inequalities

Ethical Concerns

  • human impacts (training AI can cause trauma and some artists' work has been used without their permission)
  • environmental costs (some AI uses huge amounts of energy and water)
  • professors might consider AI use to be cheating

Protect Yourself

Check with your professor:

Each professor may have a different attitude towards the appropriate use of generative AI. If your professor has an AI policy in their syllabus, read and follow it carefully. If not, ask them what is acceptable. The ELAC Policy on Academic Honesty applies to any use of generative AI that is not specifically allowed by the instructor, so make sure you are clear on exactly what uses they allow or you may be at risk for student discipline.

When in doubt, ASK!

Keep a record:

Outline or write your papers or assignments in a form that shows your work process, such as on paper or in a Google Doc. If a professor suspects you have used generative AI, you will be able show that the work is your own. If you are falsely accused of using generative AI, stay calm, gather evidence of your work, and reach out to the ELAC ombudsperson if you are not able to reach a fair resolution with your instructor. 

Prioritize your learning: 

If you are using AI to do your thinking for you, you are missing out on the chance to learn. Without real learning and a true education, your degree will have no value. The reality is that today's students will need to use AI but they will need a solid foundation of understanding and skills to use it effectively. Without that, why would an employer hire you when they can just have AI do it? Use AI wisely so that you will gain all the skills you need for your future career. 

Resources

Student Use of AI

Student Use of AI (will open pdf) Download Student Use of AI (will open pdf)graphic used above

AI Guidance for Faculty

Generative AI technologies are rapidly evolving and transforming how we work as faculty and how students learn. These changes present daunting challenges to our roles as educators but also diverse and exciting possibilities. AI is not going away, and the best way to navigate this new learning environment is to build your AI literacy.

AI Literacy

AI literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to understand, critically evaluate, and effectively interact with AI systems. It encompasses:

  • Basic understanding of AI concepts and terminology
  • Awareness of AI applications and their societal impacts
  • Ability to critically assess AI-generated content and decisions
  • Understanding of AI's limitations and potential biases
  • Knowledge of ethical considerations surrounding AI use

 

Resources for Faculty

Roadmap for Teaching in an AI World

This Canvas module was developed by ELAC Academic Senate’s CASTLE (Chatbots, AI, Student Learning and Education) taskforce. It introduces faculty to a variety of generative AI programs, provides guidance on building an AI policy for your syllabus and navigating questions about academic honesty, provides tools for teaching with AI, and houses a repository of campus, district and state workshops and webinars about AI in education.

AI, Chatbots & ChatGPT for Teachers

This free course is intended for teachers who want to know more about ChatGPT, use it in their practice, looking for inspiration/examples of its power or those trying to improve their use of this AI chatbot.

AI Syllabus Policy Coach for ELAC Instructors

This app is for ELAC instructors who want to build an AI policy for their course. It has been trained with the ELAC course catalog and ELAC policies and provides guidance on equitable practices.

ASCCC’s Academic Integrity Policies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Document

This resource document offers suggested guiding principles (or philosophy in AI policy creation), sample syllabi language to address academic integrity as relating to AI, and provides suggested reading on algorithmic justice.

CCC Chancellor’s Office Generative AI and the Future of Learning

This site outlines the CCC approach to AI and provides a variety of resources for faculty across the state, with particular attention to the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation and Equity which “represents a strategic approach to supporting Vision 2030 for the California Community Colleges, including leading in innovation, harnessing the power of generative AI, public and private technology partnerships, and transforming our ability to serve students as they move into an AI-powered workforce.”