feedback draft for ChatGPT

In week ten, 2026, we asked students about their attitudes to AI Use.

As we put it: Like everyone these days, we are interested in the impact of Generative AI. Specifically, we are interested in the impact of AI on education (above all in Arts), and in the relationship between AI use and alternative grading systems–such as the contract grading used in this course.

We believe that contract grading depends on trust, and worry that AI use degrades or weakens trust. But we also believe that contract grading, by reducing student anxiety, may remove some of the motivation for AI use. We are therefore keen to hear your thoughts and experiences.

[One student commented on the above paragraph: “All facts, NGL”]

Please be completely honest and explain your answers. We are truly interested in what you think. This survey will be submitted and collected in absolute anonymity.

[One student circled the phrase “above all in Arts” and added the comment: “No, I disagree. It is impacting scientific/objective fields even worse!]

We asked the following questions:

A. In this course (RMST 202)…

1. Is this course’s AI policy clear?
2. Have the reasons for the course’s AI policy been sufficiently explained?
3. Is this course’s AI policy fair?
4. If this course’s AI policy were changed to permit its use, could this help your learning?

B. In other courses that you are taking or have taken, especially in Arts…

5. How often have you been permitted (or even encouraged) to use AI tools?
6. Have you found such permitted (or even encouraged) AI use to be helpful?
7. Have you ever broken or bent the rules with non-permitted or unauthorized AI use?
8. Have you found such non-permitted or unauthorized AI use to be helpful?

 

A. In this course (RMST 202)…

Q1. Is the course AI policy clear?

Yes	No	other/comments
59	0	To be completely honest, I don’t really look at the AI policy. I’m sure whatever it may be, it is just as open and clear as the other information on the site. Yes, no gen AI. Yes, very lear since the first day of class. Very. Yes, I think this was clearly outlined at the beginning of the course. Yes, no AI. Yes it is. Yes, very clear. Yes, it is clear Yes, the course’s AI policy is stated clearly in the first class and is always stated in the course’s syllabus. Very clear Yes, there is a portion on the webpage dedicated to it, but maybe we could have like a rundown in the first class (IDK if we did, because I wasn’t present). yes, don’t Yes, on website Yes, don’t use it

Q2. Have the reasons for the course AI policy been sufficiently explained?

yes	no	other/comments
56	0	Yes, I believe so (after having looked through it) Yes, using AI defeats the purpose of the course. Yes, makes sense, especially since this is a literature course. Yes, they have. Yes. I think they could be reinforced throughout the term, especially closer to assessment periods. I don’t remember them but I think they have. Yes, it has been Haven’t read them. AI is stupid and I have never used it and never will–it’s turning people stupid with no ability for critical thinking. (Ref Karen Ham, author, Chan Centre event last week) Yes, they have been sufficiently explained. It was explained sufficiently in the syllabus. Not really in class, though. Yes, from day 1

Q3. Is the course AI policy fair?

yes	no	other/comments
56	0	Yes, I didn’t need AI to do this course. Yes writing is an innate [?], subjective activity. AI is irrelevant to it. Definitely fair, especially since the whole grading system is changed to encourage people to freely write what they think. Very. Yes, I think so, because we get to pick our course load. I wish we could use it to better articulate our ideas. For the most part, yes, it says no to AI at all, but I think a little bit should be allowed. Haven’t read it. With how this course work, AI is not necessary and the policy is definitely fair. Yes, this course is meant to incentivize critical thought and creativity. Yes! Sure! Yes, don’t use it. Yes, it’s explained clearly from day 1, don’t need it with the contract

Q4. If the course AI policy were changed to permit its use, could this help your learning?

yes	no	other/comments
8	34	Personally, I feel like it would only make things worse. The contract grading is already generous enough. I don’t see how making the course even EASIER could help. No, it would just make me lazy. I’m not sure. No, it should never be used. (No, no, no) *I can’t believe that this question is even being asked. Only if it helps us brainstorm idea for discussion. I think the course’s AI policy is good as is. What helps my learning is reading peers’ blog posts that are their own thoughts. No. We already have guaranteed grades, the only writing we do is blogs and comments, what is the point then? Just don’t read the book, get AI to write a 400-word blog for you? Why go to school? I think AI only helps in cases when people are short on time to fill in summaries of certain chapters. Maybe, but probably to help organize thoughts more than anything. Not really, since I just need to read the book. Not really. Partially, but nothing a Google search wouldn’t be able to answer. N/A, I don’t use AI. I don’t think so. Based on my experience with the course so far, I don’t see a place for AI in my learning process. Not really. I learn by actually doing the work. It could, depending on the extent and how it is used. No, I think the lecture videos are helpful in learning/recapping the texts and their themes. No. It’s better to read material first-hand than to rely on AI to tell you. You can make connections that AI can’t. Nah, it would make us lazy: would use it in full-blown capacity. Yes, I think it would be helpful in honing my writing. no, I don’t use it to learn. (But if it were and I did, I don’t think it would because we don’t get marked for our writing quality anyways?) I don’t think so, but maybe there’s some circumstance. If it was allowed to not be used fully but just to support it, it can help my learning. Possibly I do not believe so. I don’t think it’d make a difference; blog posts are simple. Maybe No, it makes people stupid. I would say that since there is only a reading/reflection blog portion to this course, there isn’t really a reason to change. The only thing AI could potentially help with is breaking down complex words. In some ways, but they’ll come with downsides. I think in maybe discovering other perspectives, it could. Not really, it would tempt me to be lazy about completing my work. Could be a disservice to my learning. Perhaps, but I’m worried that it’s a slippery slope. Currently as AI is right now, I think the negatives outweigh the positives. It seems unnecessary. Maybe? But it might do more harm than good. Maybe if after reading something is unclear, but even then IDK how reliable it would be. No. I think it’s valuable to not use it, because we learn more just reading the books. No, cos the contract grading is already sufficient enough. I think in general, AI not being permitted has really promoted critical thinking and analyzing the texts without the pressures of looking for the “perfect” answers. If anything, not relying on AI has helped my learning. No, probably not. I don’t think so. I don’t think it’s needed. Not really, this course doesn’t really need it. I think it might help in some extent, but I don’t know. Maybe? Not sure though since AI tends to be pretty inaccurate. Probably not It wouldn’t affect me, I don’t use AI. Maybe to help, but because writing isn’t “marked,” seems unnecessary To some extent, yes. AI could help my critical thinking and some discussions. In certain circumstances, yes. Not really

B. In other courses that you are taking or have taken, especially in Arts…

Q5. How often have you been permitted (or even encouraged) to use AI tools?

yes	no	other
	So far, none of my other courses have permitted its use.
Only in data analysis (Maths)		N/A I don’t have any other Arts courses.
Always
	0
Not often
Once
		Not often, almost never. Usually only permitted at brainstorming phases (e.g. for paper ideas).
I had a Boiolagy assignment in which AI was required. It was to compare search engines, Google vs. AI. Stupid. I understood the point, but we all knew the answers. Some Spanish teachers let us look things up on ChatGPT, but no.	In Arts classes like English, AI is banned in my experience.
	Not permitted at all in other classes.
I’ve encountered a class that allows AI (but must be cited) once.	I’ve never had a class that encouraged AI (though I heard of other university professors that do).
		Not really, but with disclosure and citations once.
		Almost never unless declared by students.
All my other courses this semester, actually.
For note-taking, article summary; 50/50 depending on prof.
In one of my courses we were permitted to use it. It is a policy [poetry?] course, and so as a search system, ChatGPT is encouraged to help us find poems [??] fast. However, all of our submitted work cannot be AI generated.
Not very often, usually for brainstorming or editing (e.g. translation, grammar corrections).
Not really been encouraged, but have been permitted.
Often. I’m in Economics, so it’s useful
Mostly permitted, less encouraged.
Sometimes, to generate practice Qs or summarize content, but never to produce work to submit.
A lot, especially in my Econ class. The prof uses AI to write announcements on Canvas.
		Sometimes–actually ONLY to brainstorm, otherwise, NO.
Only in one course, and I like how it helped me structure my thoughts.
I don’t take Arts classes often so I don’t remember. 🙁 But in Science classes it’s allowed to an extent.
Sometimes in Econ corse for more practice material
Probably 50% of classes.
A lot of my courses allow it, as long as it’s not copy-paste.
Not that often
Only once
A few times
Not that often
We are encouraged to use it as a tool.
		Unknown, I don’t use it.
Rarely: some classes allow slight use, but exact use has to be stated.
Rarely
Once or twice
	Using AI tools is not permitted or encouraged.
40%
Very rarely.		*I only use Grammarly cuz English is not my first language. 🙂
Twice this semester
	None
Often in upper-level major courses
Sometimes
I’m in COGS, so some of my courses do allow it.
A few times
Not often
An even mix of yes and no. Some courses frown upon it, others try to frame it as a supplemental learning tool and have specific assignments using AI.
Maybe once, for an assignment
Often in Sauder, occasional in Arts
Not often, 1 class out of my 4 years here
Sometimes
Never in Arts classes, yes in Science
Once, to see how it responded and if it answered correctly and with what sources
Not often
Barely–maybe once if say how used it
Not very often, usually restricted
Not often, only in one other course
Pretty often in CS courses, Econ not so much
Maybe like 1 course

Q6. Have you found such permitted (or even encouraged) AI use to be helpful?

yes	no	other
	No, it makes me think of the new studies on “popcorn brain,” and that scares me.
Yes, because there are exams.
		Maybe
	No
Yes
Only at the start, to form ideas.
	No. For an Arts degree, where comprehension / expressing your thoughts / critical thinking… What would be the point? It’s the HUMANITIES! HUMAN! Science, etc., maybe.
	I think it makes me lazier? Also lowers my performance in class, because AI can be inaccurate.
		Only in organizing ideas, otherwise not so much.
		I used it to study Accounting.
		Difficult actually when encouraged.
Helpful with brainstorming, organizing, formatting.
	No, I would rather it be forbidden. Classmates using AI in group projects = more work to correct.
Yes!
	I have not partaken in use of AI even when permitted.
Yes, because you can get a different perspective on the topic, or can learn different viewpoints.
Yes (in Economics).
Yes, in the case of brainstorm/ideation especially
	No, since AI is often not reliable or provides irrelevant information.
	I didn’t use their AI tools, or not that I know of. (The prof gave us prompts to put in AI.)
Only when I don’t know how to start an idea or a thought–though build on ground zero. But that’s all.
Yes, I feel like it helps me have more concrete thought process.
		In grade school I’d use spellchecker/grammarchecker aids like Grammarly, but I’ve stopped using it and any type of AI at all.
Sometimes, but only for understanding concepts
If I use it as a way to study for exams, yes, otherwise neutral.
Yes, especially in my non-Arts courses, but also most of my courses are non-Arts.
Yes
Yes, because it was meant to be incorporated to compare with our own work.
		Sometimes
	Not really
Yes
	No
Sometimes for research and editing it is helpful.
		No comment
Yes in some ways, but it depends on the course
		Depends on the situation, but mostly no (maybe for essay outlines)
60%
	No
	No
	No. I imagine it would have led to less critical thinking on my part.
Yes, but these courses were not subjects that required too much opinions (fact-based)
	Not really
In those courses, yes.
Sometimes
	No
		Yes and no. When research is needed, it can be helpful for finding specific sources/journals to look into. But it’s also too easy for it to be abused / take away individual thought.
	No, not usually
Yes in Sauder, with citations
Yes (class made me grade a ChatGPT essay)
Yes, sometimes
Depending on the course
	Nope
	No
		No–actually, maybe
Yes, AI could help my critical thinking and some discussions.
Yes, in summarizing/generating practice quizzes
Yes, using it to explain concepts behind solutions
	Not really, I don’t use AI

Q7. Have you ever broken or bent the rules with non-permitted or unauthorized AI use?

yes	no	other
I did in high school, when ChatGPT first became huge.
	No
	No
	No
	No
	No
Yes, but…
Yes, mostly to summarize research papers or long slides.
Bent, yes.
	No
Accidentally
Yes, but rarely (not for this class).
I use AI to help me find synonyms of words and to help me analyze if I have met the assignment requirements.
	No, and I don’t plan on it.
Yes
	No
	No
		Maybe…
Back in year 1. I’m not trying to critically think.
	No–can’t risk a zero in a project/course etc.
		Not really.
	No, I never use AI.
	No
	No
	No, but also I used it when there weren’t any policies on it yet, so Im not sure.
	No
Yes but by accident
Yes, in summarizing a reading
Perhaps a slight bending
	No
	No
	No
	No
	No
Yes
	No
	No
	No
When searching things on Google, I have sometimes relied on the AI preview section at the top for answers, but mores in STEM courses where there is a set answer.
	No, I lack the guts to.
	Not that I remember
	No
	No
	No
		I don’t think so? I’ve never used AI to do my work for me, but I’ve used it as a study tool to explain information, test me, etc.
	No, I don’t trust the output
Yes, for a study guide
		Not really, I use it to create MCQ questions
	No
	No
	Nope
	No
	No
	No
	No
	No
	No

Q8. Have you found such non-permitted or unauthorized AI use to be helpful?

yes	no	other
	No, I found in my own experience that it only encouraged laziness, procrastination, and the stress of being caught for something I could have very easily done on my own.
	No.
		Maybe
	No. Might be helpful in the short run, but you learn nothing from it in the long run.
	No
	No. Ultimately it was a waste of time for the type of courses I take.
	Same answer as previous: I think it makes me lazier? Also lowers my performance in class, because AI can be inaccurate.
		As mentioned before, only in organizing ideas.
		Situationally
		To answer the question but not to learn fully.
Yes! It points at things I missed in the guidelines.
	No. (If it were useful at all I imagine there would be more permitted use.)
Yes
	No
Sometimes, but when I do want to double-check something like grammar or something about the book I do wish I could use it.
Yeah, depends on the course though.
Yes. Makes you engage w/ material.
Yep–keeps me thinking!!
Sometimes it helps me with giving context and clarity for other courses and for editing processes.		Honestly, in this class I haven’t used it.
		N/A (never experienced)
Yes, especially for this course, contract grading makes it easier to explain my thoughts in the blog without worrying about my grade.
	No, I generally wouldn’t have used it either way.
When the policies weren’t in place yet, yes.
		Somehow
	Not really: I couldn’t done the work the same without its help/assistance.
Yes
For summarizing papers, yes		Not useful in generating content IMO
Yes
	No
		N/A
		No comment
	No
	No
	No
	No
With certain tasks online (like citations or pushing AI to challenge my arguments and evidence) (at least for literature courses)
		At times. The biggest thing is just efficiency. But it also makes me more confused than when I started sometimes.
		Doesn’t impact me in any way. Too scared to risk my degree for AI.
	Not for me personally, makes me lazy.
	No
	No
	No
		In above case, yes, but I don’t think it was unauthorized.
	No, I’ve seen too many people get burned.
Yes, very much so
Sometimes, good for quick reminder on material, good for study guides if prof doesn’t give 1.
		Yes, but I don’t know
		Not sure, haven’t done so
		IDK, haven’t used it when non-permitted or unauthorized
	No
	No
		Not beneficial/helpful for me, but nothing really bad.
	No
		Not sure
	No