Learning Agreement for GenAI - v1 (1st Year Engineering Degree
Course)
Introduction:
Innovations affect how we learn, work, and live. Recent innovations such
as generative artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to more rapid
changes than we have previously experienced (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, DALL-E
– see a recent list of tools).
In this course, we hope to support your lifelong learning. We want to
help you gain experience in using innovative technologies (that can
benefit your future career) in a responsible manner – and for you to
help us improve our definition of what responsible use means.
WHY? Despite the promises of recent innovations such as AI tools, there
are a number of concerns. (1) Learners may use AI to do their
assignments without learning the material. This does not support
lifelong learning.
(2) Learners may use AI in a manner that worsens societal problems such
as inequality, distrust, polarization.
(3) Learners may use AI in a manner that unintentionally violates
(University) rules for academic integrity and risk suspension/expulsion
from the university.
WHAT? This form is a learning agreement. Its aim is to clarify the
course rules and expectations surrounding the responsible use of AI
tools so that all students and instructors share a common understanding.
Instructions
Read through this form carefully and submit an initial version prior to
class (B1-3).
In class, ask questions to clarify any points of confusion. Your
instructor will lead a discussion on the form. At the end of class,
submit a final version (you can edit your initial submission to make a
final version of your learning agreement).
Agreement terms
Students are encouraged to use AI tools to contribute to their learning
in the course (i.e., as learning aids or to help produce designated
assignments). However, students using such tools are only permitted to
do so in accordance with the terms outlined in this form. A failure to
do so may result in a violation of university rules for academic
integrity and risk suspension/expulsion from the university.
In the (Course Name) course, I am only permitted to use innovative
technologies to assist with my course work if I agree to all 5 terms in
this form: (1) Not for assessments, (2) Declared and described usage,
(3) Appropriate citations, (4) Responsible usage, (5) Informed usage.
For each item, mark your selection:
[ ] I understand that in this (Course Name) course AI tools cannot
be used during assessment and opinion survey tasks unless specified
otherwise by your instructor.
[ ] I would like to discuss this further in class.
Item #1: Not for Assessments
Assessments help us understand whether students have learned course
material. Opinion surveys help us understand your views on topics. The
use of AI for assessment and opinion survey tasks can defeat the purpose
of such tasks.
However, AI tools may be useful when gathering information to support
your studying for these assessments (prior to starting the assessment
tasks). If you are not sure whether AI tools can be used for a specific
assignment, please ask your instructor.
→ In the (Course Name) course, I am not to use AI tools when
taking assessments (e.g., quiz, test-taking) or completing opinion
surveys. The use of AI tools in these circumstances will be treated as
if I am getting help or copying another person which are violations of
(University’s) academic integrity policy.
Item #2: Declared and described usage
AI tools can be used to assist in the completion of key course
assignments (article, debate, presentation) and other assignments
explicitly designated by your instructors. However, any AI tool usage
must be declared and described in an appendix submitted with your
assignments.
→ In the (Course Name) course, whenever an AI tool is used, the
use of the tool must be declared and described in an appendix submitted
with the course assignment. The appendix must (1) document what tool(s)
were used, (2) how the tools were used (i.e., prompts used), and (3) how
the results from the AI tools were incorporated into the submitted
work.
Item #3: Appropriate citations and references
Any content (text, image, data) from an AI tool must be cited according
to APA standards (https://libguides.mcmaster.ca/cite-gen-ai/apa). This
applies to in-text citations and references (i.e. paraphrasing, quoting,
or incorporating any content from an AI tool into your own work).
For example, if you copy and paste AI-generated text directly to your
assignment, you must add quotations around the text, ”the influence of
beavers on their environment can be both constructive and destructive,
contingent on the particular context” (OpenAI, 2023).
APA citation format:
Author/Developer. (Year). Model name (Version) [Large language
model]. URL
Example:
OpenAI. (2022). ChatGPT (December 20 version) [Large Language
model]. https://chat.openai.com/In the (Course Name) course, if I fail to appropriately cite AI
tools, it will be considered a form of plagiarism and a violation of
(University’s) academic integrity policy.
Item #4: Responsible usage
AI tools are known to have limitations and may have problematic ethical
origins and/or intentions.
Biases:
Biases in datasets used to train AI can perpetuate social inequalities
and injustices.
Privacy:
Datasets used to train AI may violate data privacy and intellectual
property rights. AI tools may also collect, store, and use user data for
undisclosed purposes.
Misinformation:
AI tools are known to fabricate facts and can be used to spread
disinformation.
Power and responsibility:
Popular AI tools are closed (not transparent), proprietary models that
consume massive amounts of resources (natural, financial) and have the
power to shape public opinion.
In the (Course Name) course, I am obliged to use AI tools in a
responsible manner. This means that as part of the appendix I submit
with course assignments, I must explicitly comment on actions taken to
mitigate and/or acknowledge the known limitations of the AI tools.
Item #5: Informed usage
Usage of AI tools involves the sharing of personal data and, possibly,
intellectual property with third parties.
Confidential information should never be inputted into an AI tool as
“all content entered may become part of the tool’s dataset and may
inadvertently resurface in response to other prompts”.
In the (Course Name) course, I have the option to use AI tools,
but I do not have to use them if I am not comfortable with sharing data
with third parties.
Final page
AI innovations are evolving rapidly. It is our aim to co-create (with
you) guidelines for how to best integrate AI into university coursework.
Please share any additional thoughts you have about this agreement
below.