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Student Guide to AI

What is AI, and how do we use it ethically and effectively at college?

Before Using AI Tools for Coursework

  • Every class at NECC has a syllabus which gives you an outline of the content of the course, but also the professor's expectations for students, which usually includes rules around the use of AI tools in their course.
  • Professors may allow you to use AI tools for some tasks and assignments but not others, or they may prohibit any use of AI tools at all.
  • Be sure to read the syllabus for each of your classes carefully, and if AI isn't mentioned, ask your professor about it. 
  • Don't be surprised if some courses encourage the use of AI, while others prohibit it entirely. Professors make those decisions based on the learning goals for the course, so be sure to keep track of the policies for each course. 
  • When in doubt, ask your professor!

Things to Remember When You Use AI Tools

  • Your Original Work: Even when using AI tools, any work you submit should be your own, representing your voice and your unique ideas. AI tools are meant to help, not to do the work for you.
  • ChatGPT and other LLMs do NOT function like search engines. LLMs patchwork information from a variety of sites and sources with the primary goal of sounding like speech. If you are looking for factual information, a traditional web search and evaluation practices are best.
  • Credit and Citation: Anything you generate and submit using AI tools should follow your professor's rules for citing sources. Both APA and MLA have guidelines for citing content generated by tools like ChatGPT. The librarians can also help with any questions!
  • Data Security and Safety: Be aware that anything you type into an AI tool is not private, and may be used in many ways you can't control. Never share personal, sensitive, or confidential information about yourself or others in a chat prompt.

Credit

Much of the content of this research guide is adapted from "A Student Guide to Navigating College in the Artificial Intelligence Era" by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center and the American Association of Colleges and Universities. This content is licensed under the CC-BY-SA 4.0 license.