A T.R.E.A.T. For Your Syllabus: An AI Policy Framework

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Apparently, I’m a big fan of acronyms . . . ha!

Why Have an AI Use Policy?

Students continue expressing confusion, fear, and uncertainty over allowable uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education. Syllabi represent a reliable, go-to location where faculty can outline their positions and policies regarding the successful integration and leveraging of AI products to support learning. Further, AI syllabi policies are essential for establishing clear ground rules, promoting operational transparency, and fostering open communication.

The T.R.E.A.T Framework

Thanks to the unique demands of Artificial Intelligence, policy statements need to be comprehensive, but there is so much to cover that drafting a functional disclaimer can be daunting! What’s the solution? How about the T.R.E.A.T. framework?

SOURCE: edited template via Canva.

The following components highlight key questions a well-rounded AI policy addresses:

1. TOOLS

   1. Are students allowed to use AI? (This frameworks assumes they can : )

   2. What is the instructor’s professional/personal motivation for supporting AI? (This is a great way to promote transparency, AI literacy, and dialogue!)

   3. Is AI use required? (AI’s questionable ethics provide a legitimate reason for refusing to use the technology; in an inclusive learning environment, this decision should be a respected)

   4. Are certain AI products more appropriate/useful than others for the particular subject matter, course work, or assessments?

   5. Are the suggested AI products free, require an account, or subscription-based? (Emphasis should be placed on promoting free AI products)

2. RULES

   1. When, or under what conditions, is AI use allowed? (If if this is too involved for the syllabus, direct students to where they can locate the details)

   2. Where can students find explanations about how AI can be used?

   3. If policies regarding AI use are violated, what specific disciplinary steps will follow?

3. EVALUATION

   1. How will student AI use be evaluated? Is it based on the degree of AI-student collaboration, student reflections, or AI use transparency?

   2. Is there a specialized rubric or particular AI-related rubric criteria that will be used? (A best practice is to share any grading measurement with students ASAP)

   3. Will the instructor be using AI to provide written feedback or assign letter grades?

   4. Will the instructor be relying on AI detectors?

   5. Will uploaded student work be anonymized?

4. AGENCY

   1. Are students reminded to use AI as a supplemental learning tool and not as a substitute?

   2. Are students warned against the detrimental impact of AI overreliance?

5. TRANSPARENCY

   1. What aspects of AI engagement do students need to document?

   2. How will students be expected to share their AI engagement?

   3. How will the instructor be using AI to support course development - drafting learning outcomes, creating slide presentations, or generating quizzes?

   4. How will the instructor inform students AI-generated material is being used in class?

A Sweet T.R.E.A.T.

The following example of an AI syllabus use policy follows the T.R.E.A.T. framework = feel free to copy, amend, and edit as needed!

Students are allowed to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this class because AI knowledge reflects the reality of future employment, engaging with the technology encourages its critical evaluation, and direct engagement with AI products develops skills for their appropriate and effective application. However, AI use is not required, and coursework can be successfully completed without it. Recommended AI products include: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. These products can be used for free but may require creating a user account. (T)

Detailed explanations about acceptable AI use can be found in assignment directions. Since approved AI use varies by assignment or task, please read all directions carefully. If anything is unclear, contact your instructor. Assignments that don’t abide by stated AI use expectations will earn half credit; after three AI policy violations the instructor will file an “academic integrity violation” report. (R)

AI use will be graded according to its adherence to stated AI use limits, the thoroughness of AI engagement documentation, and the thoughtfulness of a student’s AI use reflections. Please review the rubric criteria associated with evaluating AI in the “Grading and Evaluation” module available online. (E)

In addition, the instructor will be prompting AI to evaluate written work against scoring rubrics, as well as provide more tailored, in-depth, and timely feedback. Any materials submitted to an AI product for evaluation will be anonymized. Students should use AI platforms as supplementary resources for learning and idea generation, not as substitutes for their own critical thinking, analysis, and original work. An over-reliance on AI can undermine skills development, ultimately cheating learners out of creating an ability to succeed in advanced coursework and professional settings where these competencies are crucial. (A)

Students must share their prompts and AI responses. This can be done via screen shots included as an addendum/last page within a submitted file or directly via an AI product’s sharing feature (Gemini and Perplexity have clickable “share” links).

In addition to grading, your instructor will be using AI to write learning objectives, draft quiz questions, and create slide presentations. Any instructor-provided AI-generated content will be prominently labeled. (T)