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Education: EDUC 115

Context Note

Please note that this guide was created in consultation with Professor Stebick for a specific class activity for EDUC 115 where we explore the use of AI tools in conjunction with library resources. 

Check with your individual professors before using AI tools for your coursework in different classes.

EDUC 115 Ai Statement: Use of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Tools
Within this course, you are welcome to use generative artificial intelligence (Ai) models (ChatGPT, DALL-E, GitHub Copilot, and anything after) with acknowledgment. One may choose to use AI programs to help generate ideas and brainstorm.  However, you should note that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. Beware that use may also stifle your own independent thinking and creativity.

You may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own.  If you include material generated by an AI program, it should be cited like any other reference material (with due consideration for the quality of the reference, which may be poor).  
However, you should note that all large language models have a tendency to make up incorrect facts and fake citations, they may perpetuate biases, and image generation models can occasionally come up with offensive products. You will be responsible for any inaccurate, biased, offensive, or otherwise unethical content you submit regardless of whether it originally comes from you or an Ai model. An Ai models are VERY confident in their output, even when the output is clearly wrong.

If you use an Ai model, its contribution must be cited and discussed:
What was your prompt?
Did you revise the Ai model’s original output for your submission?
Did you ask follow-up questions?
What did you learn?

Having said all these disclaimers, the use of Ai models is encouraged, as it may make it possible for you to submit assignments and your work in the field with higher quality and in less time, but please remember that any plagiarism or other form of cheating will be dealt with severely under relevant the Honor Code.

Finding Case Studies

Use the following tools and the advanced search strategies we discuss in class to find relevant case studies.

Databases:

AI Tools:

Evaluating Sources

You should think critically about information sources that you use, particularly if they will be cited in course assignments. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating sources…

How does it support your research question?

  • What do you know now that you didn’t know before reading it?
  • What does the source argue or demonstrate that none of your other sources do?
  • What parts of your research question does it not help answer?

What makes it reliable?

  • What did you feel when reading it?
  • Have other people cited or referenced it?
  • How might someone dismiss it?

Who wrote it and why?

  • What qualifies the author(s) to write about the topic?
  • How can you find more information about the author(s)?
  • Who is the intended audience?

Where was it published?

  • Who had to approve or review it before it could be published?
  • Do you normally need a subscription to read it? If so, who is paying that subscription?
  • Who can’t afford to pay to read it?

Tutorial Activities

Complete the following tutorials and activity by 5:30pm on May 21, 2025.

We will use the case study articles that you find as part of our activity on Wednesday evening.

1. Tutorial: Advanced Search Strategies for (Almost) Any Database

How can I perform more efficient keyword searches in library databases? How can I use Boolean operators, phrase searching, and truncation to get better search results?

Length: less than 5 minutes

Advanced Searching tutorial

2. Tutorial: How to Access Journal Articles

This tutorial demonstrates how to access an online journal article using the Musselman Library website.

Length: 5-10 minutes

Screenshot from tutorial about MUSCAT Plus

3. Activity: Find a Case Study article in Education Source

Using the information you learned in the tutorials above, search the database Education Source to identify a case study article on one of the school models you have discussed in class. 

Once you find a case study that you think is relevant and informative, submit the citation information and why you selected in the online form. We will debrief what you found in class on Wednesday.

Online Submission Form