AI Guidance for Students

When used responsibly and with teacher permission, GenAI tools can enhance learning by:

• Helping brainstorm ideas
• Offering different explanations for difficult concepts
• Summarizing complex information
• Creating practice questions
• Giving feedback on writing

These tools can help build useful skills for school and beyond, like research, creativity and problem-solving.

AI tools are not perfect. They may:

• Provide incorrect or biased information
• Miss the context of your questions
• Sound confident but still be wrong

Remember: AI can't replace your effort, creativity or original thinking. Always double-check information and rely on your own judgment.

While AI can support your schoolwork, it can’t replace the relationships you build with teachers and classmates. Real learning happens through:

• Classroom conversations
• Group projects
• Feedback from peers and educators
• Sharing your own insights

These experiences help you grow as a thinker, communicator and teammate — skills no AI can teach.

• Begin by understanding what needs to be learned or accomplished
• Ask: "What am I trying to understand or create?"
• Determine if and how AI might help
• Remember that AI isn't always the answer and traditional methods may be better

• Identify specific areas causing struggles
• Use AI to get alternative explanations or approaches
• Use AI to help understand concepts, not to get answers
• Use AI as a stepping stone toward independent thinking

• Don't just accept what AI provides, question and evaluate it
• Compare AI responses with textbooks and other reliable sources
• Take notes on what is learned from AI interactions
• Try applying what has been learned without AI assistance afterward

• Ask: "Did using AI help me understand this topic better?"
• Consider whether AI helped you become more independent or more dependent on using it
• Think about what to do differently next time
• Share insights about your experiences using AI with classmates and teachers

Always check with your teacher first. They will specify whether AI use is permitted (Green Light), allowed with limitations (Yellow Light), or not allowed at all (Red Light). If you're ever unsure, ask before using AI tools. Different teachers may have different policies for their classes.

Yes, if your teacher permits AI use for an assignment, you should still acknowledge that you received assistance from AI. Your teacher will provide guidance on how they want AI use cited or documented. Being transparent about AI use is part of maintaining academic integrity.

AI tools can make mistakes or provide outdated or incorrect information. That's why it's important to verify information from AI with reliable sources like your textbooks, academic websites or by asking your teacher. Developing the skill to spot potential errors in AI responses is an important part of digital literacy.

Using AI to better understand concepts, generate practice problems, or get feedback on your work (when permitted by your teacher) supports learning.

Cheating occurs when you use AI to complete work that you're expected to do independently, present AI-generated content as your own, or use AI without permission. The key differences are transparency, permission, and whether you're using AI to enhance understanding versus avoid learning.

Use AI as a supplementary resource, not your primary source of information. After getting help from AI, practice applying what you've learned without AI assistance. Focus on understanding concepts rather than just getting answers. Set personal limits on when and how often you use AI tools and regularly challenge yourself to work through problems independently first.

Start by being intentional about when and why you're using AI. Ask specific, well-formed questions to get better responses. Always verify information from multiple sources. Take time to reflect on whether AI is actually helping your learning. Keep a balance between using AI tools and developing your own skills. Remember that AI should enhance your abilities, not replace them.

While AI can be helpful for learning, it shouldn't replace human interaction. Make sure to actively participate in class discussions, collaborate with classmates on projects, and engage with your teachers. Use AI as a supplement to human connections, not a substitute.

Schedule tech-free study sessions with friends, ask teachers for face-to-face feedback, and remember that developing social skills and relationships is just as important as academic knowledge.