Artificial Intelligence and your apprenticeship
Integrating AI into your apprenticeship coursework can boost your learning experiences, drive your engagement, and personalise your educational experience. However, it is important to avoid improper use of AI in coursework and it is crucial to adhere to academic integrity and guidelines.
Let’s look at some key points.
How Not to Use AI in Coursework:
AI should NEVER be used to create academic work for you.
Avoid Plagiarism:
Do not use AI tools like chat GTP to generate an essay or piece of written work and then submit it as your work. (1) Using AI to write an entire essay or piece of academic writing is considered severe academic misconduct and could have a huge impact on the continuation of your apprenticeship. (5)
Fact checks and references:
Because AI tools work by scraping content from a wide variety of sources, the information that AI tools use to gather the content and write its response might be inaccurate, based on opinion (not fact) or out of date. This is because AI tools draw information from many areas, even self-published titles which may contain information that is false.
AI can only learn from its source(s), so it takes on the biases, misinformation, and problematic content of the original material. (6)
Only by researching the materials generated by the AI can you be certain what has been written is correct. There is also an ethical point of making sure you reference and credit the correct people when gathering information using AI.
There's often no consistent or complete credit for creators. Plus, data privacy is a murky and multi-layered issue when it comes to generative AI. (10)
Academic Misconduct:
Misusing AI tools can lead to severe repercussions and disqualification from your assessments and even the continuation of your apprenticeship. (4) The best practice is to avoid using AI in writing and demonstrating your understanding and knowledge of a subject. Misuse is considered malpractice (4) and only disadvantages you in the longer term.
How to Use AI in Coursework:
Be Ethical:
If allowed to use AI tools, make sure you acknowledge, describe, and reference the use of AI tools in your work. (3) Treat it the same as a bibliography at the end of an essay. Reference the AI tool used and what you wrote into it that generated the response referenced.
If you did use AI, ensure that any work submitted for assessment is your own, even if AI tools were used for assistance.
You will still need to read what has been created by AI, check that it is correct and write your work in your own words ensuring that you have put your views and understanding across, and the work is written in your voice. (3) Often we can spot when a piece of work has not been written by an individual because it does ‘sound like’ them.
Boost your learning:
You can use AI tools for idea generation, planning/outlining, spelling and grammar improvement (programs like grammarly), and overcoming writer's block.
Sometimes it can be hard to look at a blank piece of paper and using AI can be a great way to start the writing process, but be transparent, about where and when you use it in your writing. (1) (3)
If you do use AI to help with spelling and grammar, most AI programs work in American English and terminology. Make sure you are writing in United Kingdom English.
You can use AI to help you find sources, for example, “Can you help me find sources for an essay on…”
If you are worried about incorrect use, consider doing coursework under the direct supervision of your LC to prevent cheating with AI tools. (4) Make sure to turn off all AI software when undertaking exams as this can result in a fail. Make sure to keep copies of sources used with AI tools and be prepared to explain their use in your work if required. (4)
If you are still unsure, don’t use them.
Remember, while AI tools can be so helpful for certain tasks like grammar checking or idea generation, they should not be used to replace the critical thinking and learning processes you need to demonstrate in your academic coursework to complete your apprenticeship.
Always prioritise academic honesty and integrity in your work. It’s all about your ideas and learning at the end of the day. We want to see you shine, not Chat GPT!
AI software
https://chat-gpt.org/ - 5 messages a day
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/copilot-for-microsoft-365
References for this eassy:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/exams-and-assessments/assessment-success-guide/engaging-ai-your-education-and-assessment (1.)
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/chatgpt-exam-boards-publish-ai-guidance-for-schools/ (4.)
https://ts-cubed.github.io/roam/20221206182426-using_ai_for_coursework.html (5.)
Articles
https://www.classpoint.io/blog/10-ways-how-ai-is-used-in-education (2)
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf (3)
https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/chatgpt-and-beyond-how-to-handle-ai-in-schools (6)
