As artificial intelligence continues to grow, so does how it is developed within education. The “Guidance on AI” document is an effort made by Heidi Neltner, Digital Learning Specialist, to do this. It helps students and teachers in giving clarity and confidence when using AI.
For many students, it was both attainable and educational.
“Overall, the layout of the website was easy to understand and follow, and the information was easy to understand as well,” Carigan Arnold (10) said.
The document not only outlines rules, but it also answers questions that students didn’t know they had. Describing different types of AI and their uses allows for a deeper understanding.
“The website explained the different types of AI and how humans compare, answering the majority of questions that someone can have,” Arnold said.
Behind this is Heidi Neltner, a Digital Learning Specialist who saw the technological change in 2022. Her concern wasn’t about the potential, but how unprepared schools may be to guide students.
“I first began tracking the potential impact and use of Generative AI in November of 2022, and realized quickly that the changes coming along with it demonstrated the biggest growth in technology I’d ever seen. As AI use beyond 2022 evolved, I could see that to use it efficiently and ethically, it was going to require more guidance,” Neltner said.
Most importantly, it offers a map for navigating the gray areas. It allows for open conversations between students and teachers, with a strong base in academic unity.
“The AI guidance document places emphasis on the need for students to have an open dialogue with their teachers to understand appropriate use for assignments and learning, as well as the need to place academic integrity first in developing an intellectual partnership with the tool of choice,” Neltner said.
As AI continues to shape how students learn and convey themselves, sources like this may be critical in building not just technical information but ethical awareness and responsible use.
