Teaching with Technology

Generative AI Best Practices

USING AI IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AT XAVIER

PLEASE NOTE: This Best Practices page only offers guidance and recommendations for Xavier faculty. It is not an official Xavier University policy.

As educators at a Jesuit institution, we are called to uphold integrity, care for the whole person (cura personalis), and promote reflective, student-centered teaching. When used thoughtfully, generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools can support these values by enhancing creativity, saving time, and deepening engagement.

This guide outlines principles, best practices, and ethical considerations for using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot in your teaching - grounded in Xavier’s commitment to academic excellence, discernment, and responsible innovation.

ACCEPTABLE USE OF AI TOOLS

Faculty are encouraged to explore AI tools in their course design and instruction when used in ways that align with Xavier’s values and policies. Thoughtful use of these tools can promote efficiency, inclusion, and reflection.

Acceptable uses include:

  • Brainstorming ideas for assignments, discussion questions, or rubrics

  • Drafting syllabus language or policy examples for revision

  • Creating formative assessment questions or quiz templates

  • Exploring generative media to demonstrate creativity and critical evaluation

Key guidelines:

  • Academic Integrity: AI should not replace your judgment in grading or feedback. Tools can assist, but student work should be evaluated by instructors.

  • Transparency: When AI contributes to your instructional materials, consider sharing that with students. This models responsible use and digital literacy.

  • Student Use: Clearly define your expectations around AI in your syllabus.

  • Data Privacy: Avoid entering student data or institutional materials into public AI tools. Treat them as public unless otherwise secured.

  • Reflection: AI can support discernment, but human care, attention, and purpose remain central. Let Xavier’s mission guide how and when you use these tools.

BEST PRACTICES FOR FACULTY

Using AI tools effectively means staying curious, intentional, and grounded in pedagogy. Below are some practices that can help you use these tools to serve your teaching mission and your students. 

  1. Start with intention: Try low-stakes tasks first: rewriting an announcement, generating a brainstorm list, or summarizing a reading. See how AI might help you before introducing it to students.

  2. Always review and revise: Generative AI can be biased, inaccurate, or generic. Editing ensures content reflects your voice and aligns with your course goals.

  3. Model ethical use: Demonstrate how you evaluate AI responses, cite sources, or correct misleading outputs. This encourages students to think critically about AI rather than using it passively.

  4. Clarify expectations for students: Be transparent. Explain what types of AI use are encouraged, allowed, or prohibited. Provide examples of both.

  5. Respect privacy and boundaries: Do not input student work, grades, or private messages into AI tools. These actions could violate FERPA or compromise confidentiality.

  6. Use AI to enhance (not replace) human connection: AI can speed up prep and admin work, giving you more time to connect with students. Let the tool serve your values, not the other way around.

  7. Stay engaged in community learning: The AI landscape is evolving. Stay informed through the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and Instructional Design & Technology (IDT).

LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

As educators, we are responsible for using AI tools in ways that are not only innovative, but also ethical and compliant with legal obligations.

FERPA AND STUDENT DATA

  • Do not enter names, grades, ID numbers, or identifiable writing into public AI tools.

  • Do treat AI tools as public platforms unless they are secured and approved for institutional use.

  • This aligns with our responsibility to protect student dignity and data.

COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE

  • AI tools may remix or reference copyrighted content without attribution.

  • Use caution when generating course materials or summaries based on publisher-owned or licensed content.

  • When in doubt, use Xavier-licensed resources or open educational resources (OERs).

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

While Xavier University continues to develop its formal AI use policies, faculty should be mindful to:

  • Uphold academic integrity

  • Protect student data

  • Maintain accountability for any AI-generated content used in instruction

Check Information Technologies for updates or guidance on secure tools.

DOS AND DON'TS OF AI IN HIGHER ED

✅ Do This ❌ Don't Do This
Brainstorm with AI for teaching prep Let AI write unreviewed student feedback
Use AI to rephrase or clarify your communication Submit student data into public AI tools
Explain to students when AI use is allowed Assume they know your expectations
Review and edit all AI-generated content Rely on AI to enforce academic honesty
Explore tools through faculty development Share copyrighted content with AI tools

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

Portions of the content on this page were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and reviewed by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and the Instructional Design & Technology (IDT) team. All content has been edited for clarity and accuracy.

We invite you to explore AI tools with curiosity, discernment, and a commitment to the common good.

If you have questions or want to learn more, reach out to the Instructional Design & Technology team or browse our Teaching with Technology Generative AI Hub.

Daniel Wooddell
Sr. Instructional Technologist
Teaching with Technology Site Designer