Understanding AI in Education
AI tools can support learning environments when used with knowledge, achievable goals and clear expectations.
- Provides examples, explanations, practice, or summaries to help learners get started.
- Reduces time spent on routine instructional tasks such as drafting rubrics, outlines, or feedback starters.
- Strengthens accessibility efforts through translations, condensed summaries, and multimodal formats.
- Encourages creativity, exploration, and iterative improvement.
- Aligns with digital tools that are now part of many work environments.
- Early-stage thinking (brainstorming, outlining, idea generation)
- Practice and reinforcement (examples, explanations, alternative ways to understand content)
- Administrative efficiency (templates, rubrics, checklists, initial drafts of instructional materials)
Knowing the limits of AI helps guide effective use.
What to know
- Accuracy varies. AI may provide correct, partial, or incorrect information (aka hallucinations)
- Context can be limited. AI relies on the information provided and does not infer intent or expectations.
- Human judgment is still needed. AI can generate content, but it does not replace the thinking involved in teaching and learning.
- Data practices differ by tool. Some platforms store user input, so discretion is needed when sharing information.
- Responses can vary. Similar prompts may produce different answers across tools or times.
YC supports exploration, transparency, and responsible use across varied instructional approaches.
YC is guided by best practices rather than an institutional AI policy. We believe this allows for the following advantages for all users:
- Allows flexibility and creativity across different teaching contexts.
- Provides guardrails without limiting innovation.
- Supports clarity and responsible use.
- Creates shared expectations while leaving room for varied instructional practices.
- Promotes privacy-safe practices by guiding use toward approved tools.
YC’s strategic direction emphasizes ethical, confident, and appropriate use of AI across the curriculum:
Teach students to ethically apply AI tools throughout the curriculum and build a culture where AI is used ethically, confidently, and appropriately across the college to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
The AI syllabus policy was crafted and approved by the Instruction Committee.
