Wise-Owl learner strategies: suggestions

As a basic principle, always cross-reference critical information (clinical guidelines, medication dosages, legal/ethical standards, research findings) with authoritative external sources regardless of the AI's confidence level. The AI companion is a learning tool, not a replacement for peer-reviewed literature, clinical guidelines, or expert consultation. But if information is less critical and you still want to quickly check whether you can trust it, these are prompts you can use (These are not specific to Wise-Owl but can be used with any internet search or other AI-based learning)

1. "Can you provide sources or references for this information so I can verify it independently?"

   • Use this when the companion provides factual claims that should be verifiable

2. "Explain the reasoning behind this answer step-by-step, identifying any assumptions you're making."

   • Helps reveal the logic chain and potential gaps in the information

3. "What are the most common misconceptions about this topic, and how does your explanation…

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…

You're new to learning with AI, or you've had experiences that made you cautious. You want to use AI effectively, but you're not sure when to trust it and when to double-check. Building appropriate trust—neither blind acceptance nor excessive scepticism—requires experience, frameworks, and gradual confidence building. The strategies below will help you develop calibrated trust in AI tools, learn when AI is reliable versus when verification is needed, and build confidence through successful experiences while maintaining critical thinking.

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. 

Not all information carries the same weight. Some facts, if wrong, could lead to failed exams, dangerous decisions, or career setbacks. Other information, if slightly incorrect or incomplete, barely matters. Learning to distinguish between these levels of criticality is essential when using AI tools. You need strategies to assess the stakes of the information you're learning, determine what requires rigorous verification, and allocate your verification efforts efficiently. The strategies below will help you develop a risk assessment framework for information, prioritise your verification efforts, and build confidence in knowing when to trust and when to verify.

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…

When learning with AI tools like Wise-Owl, it's natural and appropriate to question the reliability of the information you're receiving. Critical thinking includes being sceptical of your sources, and AI should be no exception. Not all information has the same level of risk if it's incorrect—some facts are high-stakes and require thorough verification, while others are low-stakes and safe to accept provisionally. The strategies below will help you develop a systematic approach to verifying AI-generated information, distinguish between high-stakes and low-stakes information, and build confidence in using AI as a learning tool while maintaining appropriate scepticism.

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…