Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are becoming part of everyday life and study. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas, getting feedback on your writing or breaking down a tricky concept, AI can be a useful study tool.
The key is using AI responsibly in a way that supports your learning, meets your assessment requirements and demonstrates academic integrity.
Here are some simple habits to help you get the most out of AI while studying at La Trobe.
1. Check what’s allowed before you start
Before using any AI tool in your assessments, check what level of AI use is expected. Some assessments don’t allow AI at all, while others encourage it for planning, drafting or collaboration.
Every assessment task has an AI level. The AI Assessment Scale shows how much AI use is appropriate for each task, from Level 1 (no AI – supervised assessment only) to Level 5 (full creative AI collaboration). You’ll find your assessment’s AI level on your subject’s Assignment Task Sheet or LMS.
If you’re unsure, ask your subject coordinator before you start.
2. Use AI to support your thinking
AI works best when it’s helping you learn, not doing the learning for you.
You might use AI to:
- brainstorming ideas
- explaining difficult concepts in a different way
- creating practise quiz questions
- planning a study schedule
- getting feedback on the clarity of your writing.
A good question to ask yourself is “Am I using AI to support my thinking or replace it?”. If AI is doing all the thinking, you’re probably not getting the most out of the learning experience.
3. Don’t assume AI is always right
AI can sound confident, even when it’s wrong. It might include incorrect facts, misunderstand a source, invent references or leave out important context.
Always double-check information before you use it in your study. If AI points you towards a journal article or source, read the original rather than relying on the summary.
Your critical thinking will always be your most valuable study tool.
Want to learn more? The Library’s Artificial Intelligence guide has practical tips for evaluating AI-generated information and building your AI literacy. The SIFT method is one useful strategy for evaluating the credibility and accuracy of AI-generated content.
4. Think before you upload
Like any online tool, it’s important to think about what information you’re sharing.
Avoid uploading personal information, someone else’s work, confidential placement or workplace information and unpublished research or sensitive data.
If you’re using Microsoft Copilot with your La Trobe account, you’ll be using the University’s protected environment. Public AI tools may handle your information differently, so it’s worth understanding how the tool stores and uses your data.
5. Keep your own voice
AI can help you improve your work, but your assignment should still sound like you.
Instead of copying AI responses, use them as a starting point. Question the suggestions, rewrite ideas in your own words and make sure your final submission reflects your own understanding.
Remember, you’re being assessed on what you’ve learned – not what AI can produce. Using AI responsibly is part of maintaining academic integrity. Be honest about how you’ve used AI and follow your assessment’s requirements.
6. Maintain a record of how you used AI
If your assessment allows AI, save your prompts and outputs as you work.
Acknowledging when and how you use AI is now part of submitting your assessments. For each unsupervised assessment task, you’ll be asked to complete a short acknowledgement about how you used AI. This helps to promote transparent AI use and build good habits, rather than monitoring how you use AI.
Keeping a record makes it much easier to complete your AI acknowledgement if required and helps you reflect on how AI supported your learning.
7. Continue building your AI skills
Knowing how to use AI effectively is becoming an important skill at university and beyond.
That doesn’t just mean knowing how to write a good prompt. It also means understanding AI’s strengths and limitations, evaluating what it produces and making informed decisions about when and how to use it.
The Library’s Artificial Intelligence guide is a good place to start, with more in-depth practical guidance on writing better prompts, choosing an AI tool, using Microsoft Copilot and the Library Research Assistant, referencing AI correctly and checking AI-generated information.