You are worried about academic integrity
You want to use AI to enhance your learning, but you're concerned about academic integrity, plagiarism, or whether using AI counts as cheating. Different institutions and instructors have different policies, and you need to navigate this carefully. The key is understanding that AI should support your learning process, not replace it—and that there's a clear difference between using AI to understand concepts and using it to complete assignments. The strategies below will help you use AI ethically and effectively, understand boundaries and best practices, and develop habits that enhance rather than undermine your learning.
Each strategy starts with a flow diagram showing the order in which modes and functions are used, followed by an explanation of how this strategy would work for your issue and then examples of prompts or question you can type or paste into the chat window.
Have a look at these four and choose one that suits your situation best. Remember, Wise-Owl is here to help you with your study; it does not do your study for you. Learning is always effortful, even with AI, but it is an investment in your future. Your degree might help you getting into the labour market, but the quality of your learning is what makes you successful in your career.
Strategy A: Ethical AI use framework
Strategy A
· Flow: Coach Mode → Study Planner → Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters → Simulator Mode → Study Group → Coach Mode → Portfolio Coach
· How it works: Develop clear guidelines for ethical AI use, learn about boundaries, discuss scenarios, reflect on practices
Example prompts:
o In Study Planner: "Help me create guidelines for ethical AI use in my academic work"
o "What's the difference between AI-assisted learning vs. academic dishonesty?"
o In Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters: "What are best practices for using AI to learn without compromising academic integrity?"
o In Study Group: "Discuss various scenarios: Which AI uses are ethical for learning? Which cross the line?"
o In Portfolio Coach: "Reflect on my AI use. Am I using it to learn or to avoid learning?"
Strategy B: Learning-focused AI integration
Strategy B
· Flow: Tutor Mode → Deep Dive → Assessor Mode → Applied Knowledge → Coach Mode → Study Notes → Simulator Mode → Role Play
· How it works: Use AI to deepen understanding and test yourself, then produce your own work, experiencing the difference between learning with AI and having AI do your work
Example prompts:
o In Tutor Mode → Deep Dive: "Help me understand [concept] deeply"
o In Assessor Mode → Applied Knowledge: "Test my understanding without giving me answers"
o In Study Notes: "I'm writing my understanding of [concept]. Help me organise my own thoughts, don't write it for me"
o In Role Play: "I'm working on [assignment type]. Show me ethical vs. unethical ways to use AI"
Strategy C: Integrity-centred learning system
Strategy C
· Flow: Coach Mode → Study Planner (ethical guidelines) → Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters (boundaries) → Assessor Mode → Quiz (self-testing) → Coach Mode → Study Notes (own words) → Simulator Mode → Study Group (scenarios) → Assessor Mode → Critical Reasoning → Coach Mode → Portfolio Coach (integrity reflection) → Tutor Mode → Summarise
· How it works: Establish ethical framework, learn boundaries, test yourself, create original notes, discuss ethical dilemmas, think critically about integrity, reflect on ethical practices, consolidate understanding
Example prompts:
o Coach Mode → Study Planner: "Create ethical AI use guidelines for [my academic context]"
o Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters: "Where's the line between AI-assisted learning and academic dishonesty?"
o Assessor Mode → Quiz: "Test me on [topic] to help me learn, not to do my work for me"
o Coach Mode → Study Notes: "Help me organise my own understanding, don't generate text for me to copy"
o Simulator Mode → Study Group: "Discuss ethical dilemmas in AI-assisted learning"
o Assessor Mode → Critical Reasoning: "Analyse this scenario: Is this AI use ethical?"
o Coach Mode → Portfolio Coach: "Reflect on my AI learning practices. Am I maintaining integrity?"
o Tutor Mode → Summarise: "Summarise key principles of ethical AI use in learning"
Strategy D: Transparent learning protocol
Strategy D
· Flow: Tutor Mode → Magic Question (understanding checks) → Simulator Mode → Role Play (right and wrong use) → Assessor Mode → Applied Knowledge (demonstrate learning) → Coach Mode → Study Notes (original synthesis) → Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters (institutional policies) → Simulator Mode → Study Group (peer perspectives) → Coach Mode → Portfolio Coach (practice evaluation) → Assessor Mode → Critical Reasoning
· How it works: Check understanding frequently, experience ethical boundaries, demonstrate your own learning, synthesise in own words, learn policies, hear perspectives, evaluate your practices, think critically about integrity
Example prompts:
o Tutor Mode → Magic Question: "Ask me questions to verify I'm actually learning, not just consuming AI-generated content"
o Simulator Mode → Role Play: "Show me side-by-side: ethical AI learning vs. academic dishonesty scenarios"
o Assessor Mode → Applied Knowledge: "Test whether I can apply what I learned without AI help"
o Coach Mode → Study Notes: "Guide me to organise my own thoughts, ensuring I'm synthesizing not copying"
o Tutor Mode → Conversation Starters: "What are typical institutional policies on AI use in academics?"
o Simulator Mode → Study Group: "Different perspectives on ethical AI use for learning"
o Coach Mode → Portfolio Coach: "Am I using AI as a learning tool or a shortcut? Honest evaluation"
o Assessor Mode → Critical Reasoning: "Analyse: What makes AI use educational vs. dishonest?"