Implementing the AI Usage Framework in Your Classroom
This guide helps you implement the Jefferson Academy Secondary AI Usage Framework in your specific subject area. Our goal is not to ban AI, but to teach students how to use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively, while preserving academic integrity.
This document bridges the gap between:
Your professional judgment is key. For any given assignment, you decide which AI tools and methods, if any, are appropriate for the learning goals.
The default expectation for all assignments is "Brain Only." Students should assume that no generative AI is to be used unless you give explicit permission. This is the foundation of our policy.
For any given assignment, you will decide which AI menu items are permitted. Communicate this on the assignment sheet or in Canvas. You should always have this in writing. You may choose:
When you do permit AI use, you must show students how to use it effectively and ethically. Use the examples in this guide and the "Techniques & Prompt Starters" page to model prompting that supports learning, rather than replacing it.
If you allow AI, require students to document:
Click each section to expand examples from the AI Usage Menu
These are tools you can choose to allow to help students brainstorm, plan, and understand. They are not to be used without your permission.
"Act as a Socratic partner. Ask me questions to help me brainstorm themes for my essay on To Kill a Mockingbird."
"Help me understand the difference between a metaphor and a simile by giving me 3 examples of each from everyday life."
"I'm writing a persuasive essay. Ask me questions to help me identify my strongest arguments without writing them for me."
"I'm stuck on this word problem. Ask me questions to help me identify the variables and the steps I need to take, but don't solve it for me."
"Explain the concept of slope using a real-world analogy that a high school student would understand."
"Help me understand when to use the quadratic formula versus factoring. Give me a decision-making framework."
"I need to design an experiment to test [hypothesis]. Ask me questions to make sure I have identified my independent variable, dependent variable, and controls."
"Explain the process of photosynthesis as if you were narrating a journey through a plant cell."
"Help me understand the difference between mitosis and meiosis by comparing them side-by-side."
"Act as a historical figure, like Thomas Jefferson. I want to ask you questions about the Louisiana Purchase."
"Help me understand the causes of the Industrial Revolution by asking me questions about what I already know."
"Explain the concept of federalism using a modern analogy that relates to my daily life."
"Explain the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' with 5 example sentences."
"Help me practice the subjunctive mood by having a conversation where you ask me questions that require subjunctive responses."
"Give me a mnemonic device to remember when to use preterite versus imperfect tense."
"Explain what a 'for loop' is in Python and give me a simple analogy."
"Help me understand the difference between a class and an object in object-oriented programming using a real-world example."
"I'm learning about arrays. Quiz me with 5 conceptual questions to check my understanding."
"Explain the biomechanics of a proper basketball free throw. What are the key body positions I should focus on?"
"Help me understand the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise by giving me examples of each."
"I'm creating a personal fitness plan. Ask me questions to help me identify my fitness goals and current fitness level."
"Explain the circle of fifths and how I can use it to understand key signatures better."
"Help me understand the difference between major and minor scales by describing how they sound emotionally different."
"I'm learning about musical form. Explain sonata-allegro form using an analogy to storytelling."
Important: This is a powerful but sensitive tool. Be very specific about what kind of feedback you permit. If you allow this, you must also teach students how to evaluate the AI's feedback, as it can be incorrect.
"I've written a thesis statement: [paste text]. Is it arguable and specific? Ask me 3 questions to help me make it stronger."
"Review my introduction paragraph for clarity and hook effectiveness. Don't rewrite it, but tell me what's working and what could be improved."
"I've written a conclusion. Does it effectively summarize my main points without introducing new information? Give me specific feedback."
"I got [answer]. Check my work and tell me if I made any conceptual errors in my process, but don't give me the answer."
"Here is my proof: [paste proof]. Is my logic valid? Point out any gaps in reasoning without fixing them for me."
"I set up this equation to solve the word problem: [equation]. Is my setup correct? If not, ask me questions to help me see where I went wrong."
"Here is my hypothesis: [paste text]. Is it testable? Is it specific? Suggest 2 ways I could improve it."
"Review my lab report conclusion. Does it accurately address my hypothesis and explain my results? What's missing?"
"I've designed this experiment procedure: [paste procedure]. Are there any confounding variables I haven't controlled for?"
"I've outlined the main causes of World War I. Are there any major causes I'm missing?"
"Here is my analysis of this primary source document: [paste analysis]. Am I considering the author's bias and historical context appropriately?"
"Review my DBQ thesis. Does it address all parts of the prompt and take a clear position? Give me feedback without rewriting it."
"I wrote this sentence: [paste text]. Did I conjugate the verb correctly? If not, explain why."
"Here is my paragraph in Spanish: [paste text]. Check for subject-verb agreement errors and explain any mistakes you find."
"I'm trying to use the subjunctive here: [paste sentence]. Is my usage correct? If not, help me understand why."
"Here is my code: [paste code]. It's supposed to do [X], but it's not working. What type of error am I making?"
"Review my pseudocode for this algorithm: [paste pseudocode]. Is my logic correct? Are there any edge cases I'm not handling?"
"I've written this function: [paste code]. Is it efficient? Suggest ways I could optimize it without rewriting it for me."
"Here is my weekly workout plan: [paste plan]. Does it have a good balance of cardio, strength, and flexibility? What might I be missing?"
"I've written a reflection on my fitness progress this semester: [paste text]. Does my analysis connect my activities to specific fitness components?"
"Review my warm-up routine: [paste routine]. Am I targeting the right muscle groups for the activity that follows?"
"Here is my practice log for this week: [paste log]. Am I practicing effectively? What techniques might help me improve faster?"
"I've written a short melody: [describe or paste notation]. Does it follow the rules of the musical form we're studying?"
"Review my analysis of this piece's dynamics and phrasing. Am I identifying the musical elements correctly?"
Critical Reminder: If you permit offloading, you must shift the learning goal. The student should no longer be graded on what the AI did, but on what the student does with the AI's output.
Examples of shifting the learning goal:
You permit AI to generate a rough first draft on a topic.
You permit AI to generate three different introductions for the same essay prompt.
You provide 10 primary source documents and permit AI to generate a one-paragraph summary of each.
You permit AI to generate a timeline of events for a historical period.
You provide 5 complex word problems and permit AI to generate the final solutions.
You permit AI to generate a graph of a complex function.
You permit AI to generate a summary of a complex scientific article.
You permit AI to generate a data table from raw experimental observations.
You permit students to write an essay in English and then use AI to translate it into Spanish.
You permit AI to generate vocabulary sentences using new words.
You permit AI to generate a complete, working block of code for a specific function.
You permit AI to generate unit tests for a function the student wrote.
You permit AI to generate a 4-week training plan based on a student's fitness goals.
You permit AI to generate a nutritional analysis template for tracking dietary intake.
You permit AI to generate a chord progression in a specific key and style.
You permit AI to generate historical context about a composer and their era.