Coach and remediate and/or apply consequences from the syllabus
Coaching
Coaching strategies specific to the ethical use of AI could be appropriate when you determine there was likely academic misconduct or when you are unsure. The following are some to consider:
- Talk with the student about their performance in the course and, if appropriate, other pressures that may be impacting their ability to be successful (or to believe they can be successful.) Be prepared to connect students to campus resources if necessary.
- Educate the student about AI and the specific detriment that using AI instead of their own work created in the context of that assignment. In other words, what skill development did they miss out on by not completing the assignment on their own?
- Discuss the importance of ethical behavior with the student in the context of their education and beyond.
- Invite the student, if appropriate, to use alternative help-seeking behaviors like using an approved tutoring service, visiting your office hours, or employing time management skills.
- Consider giving the student an opportunity to resubmit. You could attach conditions to the resubmission, for example, if the rest of the assignments are done well.
- Invite the student to complete the AI Student module that is currently being developed by the College.
Difficult Conversation Guide
Our Student Life team at FSW provided these helpful guidelines that may make the conversation easier and more productive.
Restorative Questions for faculty when having a difficult conversation with students:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Additional tips for having a successful conversation:
- Approach with purpose, not judgment
- Stick to the facts; be objective
- Listen without bias
- Outline the impact of the behavior
- Communicate with GRIT (generosity, respect, integrity, truth)
- Be mindful of your body language/facial expressions
- Keep emotions in check
- Repeat back your understanding of the issues
Use the FUSION Method
- F – Focus on the issue at hand
- U – Understand the other’s perspective and point of view
- S – Be specific about what you think and want
- I – Use “I” statements
- O – Be open to options to handling disagreement
- N – No “hot-button” language (e.g. “you always do this” and other types of you statements
Applying Consequences
If you decide it is in the student's best interest to apply the consequences from your course policy (as stated in your syllabus) and you have the appropriate evidence, you would then initiate the Academic Integrity and Misconduct process, which is described here. Links to an external site.
Please note that you must inform the student that you are alleging a violation of the policy.