Text Strategies for Building Trust

“The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust is foundational in any educational setting but becomes even more critical as AI has disrupted teaching and learning processes. Building trust can lead to increased student engagement, motivation, and ethical use of technology, which are essential for a productive learning environment. Explore three strategies for building trust using the tabs below.

Setting the Stage

A clear and approachable syllabus sets the tone for the course. It should outline not only expectations and objectives but also the role of AI in the course. This transparency helps manage students' expectations and reduces anxieties related to AI use. The syllabus is also a good place to set a welcoming and mutually respectful tone for the course.

Try This

Review your syllabus (or Canvas Course Overview) for overall tone. It may be tempting to think of your syllabus as a functional document only, but students are also using it as a way to get to know you.
Plan opening course activities that demonstrate to students that you want them to succeed.

Use AI as a Collaborator

Open up an LLM, such as ChatGPT or Claude and try a prompt like this. "I am going to upload a syllabus for a course I teach. Can you suggest three concrete ways I can make it more friendly and inviting and give students the message that I trust them and expect academic integrity?

Sharing Rationale

Clearly explaining why AI can or cannot be used on certain assignments helps students understand the learning process and the value of skill building. Taking the time to explain your rationale builds trust, connects students with the learning goals, and could prevent misunderstandings and misuse of AI tools.

Try This

Craft statements to accompany your assignment instructions in which you explain why AI is not permitted or if it is, how it specifically supports learning goals. Challenge yourself to find encouraging ways to communicate this information that connects with students' self-concept and motivation.
Have a class discussion in person or online about your AI use policies. Let students know that you are listening to their perspectives.

Use AI as a Collaborator

Sample prompt: Hi. I teach Introduction to Humanities and allow students to use AI on many of their projects, so long as they properly document it and take responsibility for it being correct. I don't want them to use AI on the reflection portion of any projects or discussions because I want them to build skill in using their own voice and in meta-cognition. Most of my students are Gen Z, very busy, and taking this as a general education requirement. Can you please help me write a short script for a video in which I explain this to them in ways that will resonate and be motivating and empowering?

Learning Together

Showing that you are also learning and adapting to AI technologies can humanize the learning process. It reassures students that they are not alone in navigating the complexities of AI in education. Knowing that you are engaged with AI tools may also deter a student who is tempted to short-circuit the learning process.

Try This

Share your experiences and ongoing learning about AI during class sessions. Be open with students that you don't have all the answers when it comes to AI and share your own process of discovery.
Discuss both the potential and the limitations of AI, and encourage open dialogue about these topics.

Use AI as a Collaborator

Sample prompt: Hi. I am teaching a college course on ___. Please suggest some first week of class activities that will help me learn about AI along with my students and spark some helpful and engaging conversations.

Your Reimagine Roadmap

If you plan to use one of the activities above, make a note under Building Trust. You can also use this space to brainstorm other ideas or make note of questions for yourself.

Resources

Building Trust with Students—Even Before Class Starts