RDCRS reviews new artificial intelligence guidelines for students and teachers

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) has approved new guidelines for artificial intelligence use in the classroom designed to improve outcomes for students and teachers.

Students will be allowed to use AI to help with their studies. The guidelines allow for the use of tools to review content, create customized study materials and even use AI assistants as virtual tutors.

However, instructors will be given the authority to use their own discretion in identifying overreliance on the technology among students. Teachers and students alike are expected to review AI-generated content before using it.

In addition, the technology must not be used for bullying, harassment or creating misinformation. The guidelines also aim to prevent plagiarism and cheating, as students will be instructed not to submit AI-generated work as their own. Students will also be taught how to properly cite or acknowledge the use of AI where applicable.

Guidelines for teachers

Teachers will be allowed to use the technology to support students, including helping assess specific student needs.

Educators will also be permitted — at their own discretion — to use the technology to develop lesson plans, graphs, charts and more.

Administrators will be permitted to use AI tools to support school operations and improve administrative processes.

However, teachers must clearly communicate if, when and how generative AI is permitted for specific assignments, and articulate the rationale for its inclusion or exclusion.

Under the rules, teachers maintain ultimate responsibility for all evaluation and grading decisions, and AI must not have sole responsibility for assigning grades.

RDCRS sees the technology as a helpful tool to lessen teachers’ workloads, but cautions it must never be used as a substitute for human educators in the instruction and development of students.

Regular review

RDCRS officials say the guidelines will be reviewed annually — or sooner — to ensure standards keep up with the fast-moving technology.

To ensure AI standards are effectively implemented, professional development initiatives will be created for administrators.

The board of trustees reviewed the new guidelines at its May 28 meeting which can be viewed here.