HCRHS AI Guidelines

We have established the following guidelines that will help students understand how to use AI effectively and appropriately in their coursework. By following these guidelines, students can uphold academic integrity and develop essential skills for their future. 

1. Your Teacher Will Inform You If, When, Where, How, and Why AI May be Used:
   • Your teachers will tell you when, where, how, and why you are allowed to use AI for an assignment or in class. If you are unsure, ask.
2. Show Your Work:
   • Any AI use should be acknowledged by you. This might involve:
     • Describe how you used AI in your work.
     • Saving your AI interactions.
     • Citing the AI tool you used, just like you would cite other sources.
   • Follow your teacher's instructions carefully to ensure you give proper credit and demonstrate your learning process.
3. Use HCRHS Platforms & Approved AI Tools:
   • You must use your HCRHS Google Docs (sheets, slides, etc.) for all work related to your classes unless specified by your teacher
   • Your teacher may use tools like Aristotle K-12 for test mode or workshop focus, Revision History to see your process, or AI Detectors to verify your work.
   • You are only allowed to use AI tools and websites that have been approved by HCRHS.
   • If you are unsure whether an AI tool is approved or might be valuable for learning, ask your teacher.
4. Focus on Showing Your Own Learning and Thinking:
   • Your teacher’s assignments and assessments are designed for you to demonstrate your unique understanding, critical thinking, and creativity.
   • Engage actively in the learning process, develop your ideas and voice, and understand how that differs from AI. 
5. Protect Your Privacy and Information:
   • Never put any personal information about yourself or other students into AI prompts or queries. This includes names, addresses, grades, or any other private details.
   • Do not use AI to generate content that includes private or confidential school information.
6. Critically Evaluate AI Output for Accuracy, Hallucinations, and Bias:
   • Think Critically About What AI Tells You: AI tools sometimes provide inaccurate information (called "hallucinations"), reflect biases,  and require fact-checking. 
   • Discuss Concerns with Your Teacher: If you notice something in the AI's output that seems inaccurate, biased, or strange, talk to your teacher about it. This is part of learning how to use AI responsibly.
   • Understand AI's Impact: Be aware that technology has an environmental footprint and is not always necessary.  Be thoughtful and efficient in your use.
   • Traditional learning may be more effective for learning and retention.
7. Know What is Appropriate and Inappropriate/Unethical Use of AI:
   • Appropriate Use (Department Examples):
     • English, Social Studies - Using spelling and grammar checkers is always appropriate and expected.
     • World Language - Speaking apps to practice and demonstrate language.
     • Using AI to help you understand a complex topic by asking it to explain concepts in different ways (do inform teachers if you need to).
     • Using AI to analyze data or identify patterns, if part of a specific assignment.
     • Using AI to brainstorm ideas for a project, as directed by your teacher.
   • Inappropriate/Unethical Use (Examples - These are Academic Integrity Violations):
     • Submitting AI-generated work (essays, reports, code, etc.) as your original work without proper attribution or when not explicitly allowed by your teacher.
     • Asking AI to do your thinking for you instead of engaging with the material critically.
     • Using AI to cheat on tests or quizzes.
     • Copying and pasting sections of AI-generated text 
     • Using AI (instead of your brain) for critical thinking, creativity, or in lieu of your own ideas and voice.  
     • English, Social Studies - Presenting AI-generated paraphrases, up-phrases, extenders (such as Grammarly), summaries, or analyses as your writing, thinking, or understanding.