CAN STUDENTS USE AI TO ASSIST WITH STUDY AND ASSESSMENTS?

WHAT IS AI?

AI is Artificial Intelligence. It refers to computer systems that simulate human intelligence, performing tasks such as learning, reasoning, and self-correction. In the context of this policy, AI tools include, but are not limited to, predictive text generators, chatbots, and automated research assistants.

The word spell & grammar checker is a form of AI!!

Generative AI (GenAI), like ChatGPT, is a branch of artificial intelligence that creates new content such as text, images, audio, video and code, by learning patterns from existing data. GenAI produces original output which resemble human-created content. It can be a useful learning and research tool but also raises some important ethical and practical considerations.

HOW CAN AI HELP ME STUDY?

GenAI is a tool that can help you learn by explaining concepts, summarising information, and testing your knowledge; BUT—it’s not a shortcut for assessments!

All submitted assessments are checked for the use of GenAI with Turnitin and its use is considered plagiarism if it exceeds the minimum acceptable allowances. There are academic penalties for plagiarism which includes the unethical use of AI, so how can we help you get it right?

We’ve put together some tips on this to ensure you stay on the right side of academic integrity.

🚫 What NOT to do with GenAI:

❌ Do not copy AI-generated answers into assessments

❌ Do not submit AI text as your own work

❌ Do not use AI to avoid thinking for yourself

❌ Do not input personal information or data

❌ Do not ask it to use complicated phrases or words that you yourself don’t understand

✅ What you CAN use GenAI for:

✔ Summarising complex topics into simpler language

✔ Test your knowledge with practice questions

✔ Explain tricky concepts in different ways

✔ Act as an educator or mentor and help you learn

✔ Help you breakdown questions to improve how you interpret and understand then

✔ Get feedback on your own answers

1. Understand first, then ask

Before turning to AI, try explaining a concept in your own words. If you get stuck, check your learning resources, talk to your mentors and use AI to clarify what it is YOU know.

Example Prompt:

 “I’m studying [topic]. Is my understanding of this right? <Insert your own explanation>. Can you explain it in simple terms and give me an example?”

2. Make AI work for you, not the other way around

Ask AI to guide your learning rather than just giving you answers. NEVER as it to give you answers.

Example Prompt:

 “Can you quiz me on [topic] and give hints instead of just telling me the answers?”

3. Always put answers in your own words

If AI gives you an explanation, read it, CLOSE THE CHAT and rewrite it from memory as if you were explaining it to a friend.  Have you tried saying it out loud and use voice to text to capture your thoughts? Do it, it can make assessment writing so much faster!

Compare YOUR understanding to your learning resources and the AI response -> If your response sounds like you and gets the same message across – you’re nailing it!

4. Use AI for feedback, not final answers

Write your own response first, then ask AI for improvement suggestions.

Example Prompt:

 “Here’s my answer on [topic]. Can you check if it is factual or if I need to make it clearer? Do not rewrite the question for me.”

5. Be critical of what GenAI tells you

Don’t take the responses for gospel. AI can and will make mistakes! These are called hallucinations, which describes the result when GenAI fabricates or generates false information. Try it yourself! Read its responses and ask yourself, is this true? Are the sources it has told me it used real, credible and relevant? Is this information different to my learners guide or what I know? Just because it sounds convincing, doesn’t mean it is. The prompts you use can help reduce the incidence of hallucinations so think carefully about what you are asking it to do.

Example Prompts:

 “How many R’s in the word strawberry?”

 “How times does the letter R appear in the word strawberry?”

6. Be honest about your learning and sources

Your future patients need YOU to understand the learning materials—not a robot! If AI is doing all the thinking for you, how can you be ready for real-life veterinary nursing?

Reference the use of AI in your answers where you have used it to support your learning.

We recommend the use of websites like https://www.citemaker.com/ to help with generating your reference list. When you have used GenAI to help research and further understanding for assessments you must *share* the AI Chat. In ChatGPT there is a share button at the top right of the screen. This generates a link you can add to your reference list and allows us to see your actual chat transcript. This is one verifiable way you can prove that you used GenAI ethically and your answers are in fact your own words. Not referencing the use of GenAI is considered plagiarism, in the same way not providing a link to a normal website you used it.

Example Citation:

In-Text Citations:

Format: (Author, Year)

Example for ChatGPT: (OpenAI, 2025)

Reference List:

Format: Company. Year, Title of response/search, Access date. Available at: <URL to the shared chat>

Example: OpenAI. 2025, Explanation of Fear Free Handling in Veterinary Nursing, Accessed: 2 September 2025. Available at: <https://chatgpt.com/share/68b634d1-3068-8007-bbfa-86cfcc427b04>

In addition to providing in text citation and references, students may choose to include an explanatory acknowledgement statement at the start or end of their assessment. Some examples are shown:

1. You used GenAI to generate ideas or structure suggestions, to assist in understanding core concepts
   • I used ChatGPT-4 as a personal AI tutor to explain core concepts related to fluid therapy in veterinary nursing, including types of IV fluids and their appropriate use in dehydrated patients. This helped me better understand the physiological mechanisms behind fluid balance and how to apply this knowledge to my case study. I used the tool across three iterations to refine my understanding, asking follow-up questions based on my own research.
     < https://chatgpt.com/c/68b65c86-5e70-832f-90da-24966ecde516 > Accessed: 2 September 2025
     
2. You used GenAI to generate text, rewrite, rephrase, and/or paraphrase a portion of the assessment.
   • I used ChatGPT-4 to help refine the wording of my explanation of osmolarity and tonicity in fluid therapy. I then rewrote the content in my own words, ensuring accuracy and adding references from my textbook and lecture notes.
     <Full link to search> Accessed: dd/mm/yyyy
3. You used GenAI to generate some other aspect of your submitted assessment.
   • I used ChatGPT-4 to help summarise key points from journal articles related to fluid therapy in veterinary practice, allowing me to extract the most relevant information efficiently. However, I cross-checked all sources manually to ensure the accuracy of the summaries
     <Full link to search> Accessed: dd/mm/yyyy
     

For all GenAI research, you MUST always supply a link to your searches and the answers given by GenAI.

“Explain [topic] in three sentences like I’m new to vet nursing”

“What’s a common mistake students make when learning about [topic]?”

“Help me break down [topic] into simple steps”

“Can you ask me five quiz questions about [topic]?”

“Act as a veterinary nurse educator in Australia. Explain [topic] at a beginner level, then test my understanding with a question”

“Challenge my understanding of [topic]. Ask me tricky questions or common misconceptions that students have”

“I don’t fully understand this question: [insert question]. Can you rephrase it and explain what it’s asking me to do?”

“Here’s my answer to [question]. Can you check if it’s factual, clear, and relevant? Do not rewrite my answer. Before answering, repeat my instructions in your own words to confirm you’ve understood correctly”

“I’m studying [topic]. What are the most important things I should focus on, and are there any areas students often struggle with?”

“Can you please generate a Harvard style citation and reference for this conversation. I want to show that I am not plagiarising this and am transparent about my use of AI in my assessment.”

GenAI is here to support your learning. It’s another tool you can use to help grow what you know.  Don’t let it do all the knowing for you!

Your assessments are evidence of your own understanding of the concepts, theories, actions and tasks of animal care and Veterinary Nursing and what we use to prove that you have earned and are entitled to your qualification when you graduate. Your knowledge and skill is what matters most.

Use AI wisely, think critically, and always put information into your own words. Tell it how you want it to help you, explain the role you want it to take to SUPPORT your learning but do not let it DO THE LEARNING FOR YOU.

Using GenAI as a pseudo-mentor or educator to help review your answers and give advice on how to present and clarify what you know is perfectly OK!!

The process of reviewing answers with GenAI will help you remember what you know. It’s a win-win! And this way….. you’ll be the best animal advocate you can be! 🐾💙

We’ve recently updated the student handbook on the guidelines for the use of GenAI in assessments, so head on over and check it out.

Here is a quick youtube video that explains ethical use of AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyf3YVWx6nw

Happy, safe studying!