The first time I saw a student hand in an essay that was… weirdly perfect, I knew the game had changed. And I am not alone—educators everywhere are struggling with how to teach in the age of AI. 

To help everyone cope in this brave new world, my school recently introduced a “Red Light/Green Light” framework for AI use. The program’s classroom posters informed students that some academic behaviors involving AI were red lights – not acceptable, while others were green lights – acceptable. 

While these posters were a great concept, they needed some fleshing out. For instance, exactly which behaviors were acceptable? And, which behaviors were not?

Students were going to need specifics. 

So, I set out to clarify what green-light (appropriate) AI behaviors look like versus red-light (inappropriate) ones.

Getting Everyone on Board

I sat down to build a list of AI behaviors, with plenty of input from colleagues, students, and, yes, AI itself. 

The goal? 

To create a guide that was clear, accessible, and useful in real classrooms. Here’s what I came up with:

Green Light: When It’s OK to Use AI

1. Coming Up with Ideas
   • Use AI to brainstorm essay topics, project ideas, or creative writing prompts.
2. Helping with Research
   • Summarize long articles or complicated texts to make them easier to understand.
   • Find reliable sources for a research project.
3. Practicing Skills
   • Practice math or grammar problems with tools that give instant feedback.
   • Learn new vocabulary words using AI-based tools.
4. Getting Organized
   • Use AI to create graphic organizers, like outlines or mind maps.
   • Plan a study schedule or make a to-do list.
5. Making Work Accessible
   • Simplify reading materials that are too advanced.
   • Translate instructions if English isn’t your first language.
6. Improving Your Work
   • Get tips on how to improve writing or find mistakes in essays.

Red Light: When You Shouldn’t Use AI

1. Pretending AI’s Work Is Yours
   • Don’t copy and paste AI-generated answers into homework or projects.
2. Skipping the Thinking Part
   • Don’t let AI solve problems or write reflections for you.
3. Cheating on Tests
   • Never use AI to answer test questions unless your teacher says it’s allowed.
4. Avoiding Learning
   • Don’t use AI to write thesis statements, solve math problems, or complete creative tasks for you.
5. Believing Everything AI Says
   • AI isn’t perfect! Always verify its answers and ask a teacher for clarification when in doubt.

The Impact So Far

Introducing this framework has made a huge difference. Students are excited to explore AI as a partner in learning, but they’re also learning to set boundaries. My colleagues feel more confident knowing they can guide AI use instead of having to police it. And honestly, it’s refreshing to see the conversation shift from “AI is a threat” to “AI is an opportunity.”

If you’re an administrator or a teacher thinking about implementing something similar, my advice is to keep it simple, but be specific. Give students examples they can relate to. Make space for discussion and feedback. And most importantly, be open to learning alongside them.

Because in the age of AI, we’re all students.

What’s your take on AI in the classroom? I’d love to hear how you’re navigating this new territory! Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Ed X!