Using AI for Learning: A Free Module for Educators and Students
Start your Semester with a Productive Conversation
As we begin Fall 2025, educators across disciplines share a common need: fostering productive conversations with students about using AI as a learning tool. The "Using AI for Learning" module offers a structured approach to these essential discussions, now freely available through Top Hat: tophat.com/catalog/-/-/full-course/using-ai-for-learning/6232/.
Creating Space for Meaningful Dialogue
Rather than imposing rigid policies or leaving students to navigate AI independently, this module provides a framework for educators and students to explore AI use together. It transforms abstract guidelines into concrete discussions about real academic scenarios.
The resource takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and comes in two formats: an interactive module for independent student work and presentation slides for classroom discussion. Both versions are fully editable, allowing you to incorporate your specific course policies and disciplinary examples.
A Structured Learning Journey
The module follows a deliberate progression designed to build understanding systematically:
Understanding → Literacy Skills → Ethical Awareness → Personal Planning
Students begin by learning how large language models function, moving beyond misconceptions to understand both capabilities and limitations. Through a collaborative case study, they develop critical literacies including fact-checking protocols, evaluative judgment, and iterative refinement techniques.
The ethics section presents realistic dilemmas without prescriptive answers. When a team member uses AI without attribution, how should students respond? How much AI assistance is appropriate during exam preparation? These scenarios become starting points for classroom conversations about academic integrity and learning goals.
Personalized Application
The module culminates in students developing individual AI use plans specific to your course. Using the module's framework combined with your classroom discussions, students articulate how they'll apply these tools responsibly within your disciplinary context.
Students evaluate potential AI applications against four essential questions:
How will this enhance my learning and productivity?
How will I verify and critically assess AI outputs?
How does this align with academic integrity principles?
How am I ensuring continued skill development?
This reflective process helps students move from general understanding to specific, thoughtful application in your course.
Supporting Classroom Conversations
The module provides structured activities that facilitate genuine dialogue. Students categorize different AI uses, explain their reasoning, and engage with diverse perspectives from peers. Attribution templates and examples are included, but more importantly, students understand the principles behind proper citation and transparency.
These materials serve as conversation anchors rather than definitive rules, acknowledging that different disciplines and assignments may require different approaches to AI integration.
Flexible Implementation
Educators can implement this module in various ways. Some may introduce it during the first week to establish shared expectations. Others might reference it throughout the semester as AI-related questions naturally arise. The goal is to establish a foundation for ongoing dialogue rather than a single instructional moment.
I hope you find this useful!
The "Using AI for Learning" module is freely available at tophat.com/catalog/-/-/full-course/using-ai-for-learning/6232/.