The possibilities for using generative AI (GenAI) are vast - yet students are often uncertain about its appropriate use. Orientation creates a sense of security - and as instructors, you can offer your students this framework:
Clearly explain how generative AI systems (GenAI) will be used and handled in your course—ideally during the first or second session of the semester.
If you provide a syllabus, include this explanation there as well.
You will be setting up an AULIS course or group for your class. Please include your guidelines on AI usage in your course space. You may use the example wording provided below.
GenAI has become a part of our everyday and professional lives. We therefore encourage you to actively and purposefully integrate AI into your teaching to help foster your students' digital literacy. The focus should be on the responsible and reflective use of AI. However, there will also be learning goals that can only be achieved through direct (i.e., non-AI-supported) work. In such cases, it may be appropriate to restrict the use of AI to ensure students can reach these goals independently.
Below, we present four approaches for integrating GenAI into your teaching. Choose the model that best aligns with the learning objectives of your course to support the development of students' skills in working competently with future-oriented technologies. Each approach is briefly explained and supplemented with suggested wording for your syllabus or AULIS course.
By allowing the unrestricted use of generative AI (GenAI), you offer your students the opportunity to engage intensively with modern technologies. It is essential, however, to clearly communicate that students bear full responsibility for the factual accuracy of any AI-generated content.
Text module for your AULIS course/syllabus: "In this course, the use of generative AI (GenAI) is permitted without restriction. However, please note that you bear full responsibility for the factual accuracy of the generated content. An AI declaration of independence is required for every examination according to § 7 AT-BPO and AT-MPO, such as presentations, term papers, project work, reports, presentations, experimental work, development work, portfolios, as well as bachelor’s or master’s theses. If, in examinations according to the AT-BPO and AT-MPO, good academic practice (e.g., proper citation of third-party work) and the proper labeling of AI usage are not correctly implemented, this will be considered an attempt to deceive according to § 16 para. 2 of the AT-BPO and AT-MPO. You can find templates for how to label the use of GenAI here."
By specifically allowing certain AI tools, you can enrich your students' learning process by enabling them to explore and critically engage with modern technologies in a controlled environment.
Text module for your AULIS course/syllabus: In this course, the use of certain generative AI tools is permitted. These tools will be explicitly discussed during the course and may be used for the preparation of coursework and assessments. The approved tools are: [insert name or type of tools]. An AI declaration of independence is required for every examination according to § 7 AT-BPO and AT-MPO, such as presentations, term papers, project work, reports, presentations, experimental work, development work, portfolios, as well as bachelor’s or master’s theses. If, in examinations according to the AT-BPO and AT-MPO, good academic practice (e.g., proper citation of third-party work) and the proper labeling of AI usage are not correctly implemented, this will be considered an attempt to deceive according to § 16 para. 2 of the AT-BPO and AT-MPO. You can find templates for how to label the use of GenAI here."
By defining how and for what purposes generative AI (GenAI) may be used, students can benefit from the technology without compromising the integrity of their work. For example, GenAI might be permitted for data preprocessing and analysis, but not for the interpretation of results. Templates for usage and proper attribution of GenAI can be found here.
Text module for your AULIS course/syllabus: Generative AI may be used in this course for specific tasks. For example, its use for [idea generation or text revision] is permitted, but not for [generating entire sections of text]. An AI declaration of independence is required for every examination according to § 7 AT-BPO and AT-MPO, such as presentations, term papers, project work, reports, presentations, experimental work, development work, portfolios, as well as bachelor’s or master’s theses. If, in examinations according to the AT-BPO and AT-MPO, good academic practice (e.g., proper citation of third-party work) and the proper labeling of AI usage are not correctly implemented, this will be considered an attempt to deceive according to § 16 para. 2 of the AT-BPO and AT-MPO. You can find templates for how to label the use of GenAI here."
Excluding generative AI in certain courses can be useful for promoting foundational competencies among students. This ensures that students acquire essential knowledge on their own rather than relying on AI tools. In this way, the learning objectives of the course are better supported.
Text module for your AULIS course/syllabus: In this course, the use of generative AI is not permitted. The focus is on developing foundational competencies. Please complete all assignments independently in order to achieve the learning objectives of the course. An AI declaration of independence is required for every examination according to § 7 AT-BPO and AT-MPO, such as presentations, term papers, project work, reports, presentations, experimental work, development work, portfolios, as well as bachelor’s or master’s theses. If, in examinations according to the AT-BPO and AT-MPO, good academic practice (e.g., proper citation of third-party work) and the proper labeling of AI usage are not correctly implemented, this will be considered an attempt to deceive according to § 16 para. 2 of the AT-BPO and AT-MPO"
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Clearly define which of the four AI usage models – from full integration to complete exclusion – applies in your course. Specify which AI tools are permitted or prohibited in order to avoid misunderstandings. Follow the guideline: only what is explicitly prohibited is considered not allowed.
We have used the guide on Generative AI in Teaching by Birgit Phillips, FH JOANNEUM (August 2024), and adapted it to the context of University of Applied Science Bremen.
https://www.fh-joanneum.at/hochschule/hochschuldidaktik-und-ki/kuenstliche-intelligenz-in-der-lehre/ki-leitfaden-fuer-die-lehre/ retrieved on 06 March 2025
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.l - CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
These recommendations on AI transparency in courses at the University of Applied Science Bremen are also licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License - CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.