FIU Students Create AI Guidelines for Rhetorical Theory Class
Brief news summary
Professors at Florida International University (FIU) are breaking the norm by involving students in the development of AI policies. Previously, AI had been discouraged or outright prohibited in academic settings, but FIU associate professor Christine Martorana sees this approach as counterproductive. Instead, Martorana believes in taking a more positive approach and allowing students to create their own AI guidelines. Students' input has led to agreements and differences, such as allowing AI for brainstorming but not for outlining. These policies cover AI usage in coursework and how to properly cite AI in papers. Martorana views involving students as a way to prepare them for the future, as AI is increasingly prevalent in writing and communication. Experts also suggest that this involvement can enhance AI literacy and promote ethical discussions. Martorana plans to continue this approach in future courses.At Florida International University (FIU), students Rafael Moron and Lexy Modrono found that discussions and policies surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) were limited or non-existent. However, they were pleasantly surprised when they were given the opportunity to create their own AI guidelines for a Rhetorical Theory and Practice class. Christine Martorana, an associate professor at FIU, believed that attempting to enforce strict AI usage policies would be counterproductive and decided to involve her students in the policy-making process. Students worked in small groups to develop best practices and shared their ideas with the class for further refinement. Agreement was reached that AI should not be used for plagiarism, but there were differences in opinions regarding AI's role in brainstorming and organizing papers.
The policies developed focused on using AI in courses and citing its usage in academic work. Martorana saw this exercise as a way to prepare students for a future where AI becomes an integral part of writing and communication. Brianna Dusseault from the Center on Reinventing Public Education praised the professor's approach and noted that involving students in policy creation cultivates a sense of ownership and promotes AI literacy. Martorana plans to continue involving students in the development of AI policies in future courses, recognizing the importance of nurturing a positive and productive approach to AI usage in academia.
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FIU Students Create AI Guidelines for Rhetorical Theory Class
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