AI Resources for Students

***Disclaimer: Some resources reference third-party AI tools that are not licensed or officially supported by Hood College. The materials below are provided sole for educational and informational purposes to demonstrate potential uses cases and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific product or service.***

These tutorials from the University of Arizona explain the basics of using generative AI. They contain short videos (3 min or less), and quiz questions for self-review of what you learned.

• Part 1: The Technology Behind ChatGPT

Understand the basics of how the technology works. This will help you know what it's useful for and give you background for understanding the ethical debates.

• Part 2: How Does ChatGPT Aim to Prevent Harmful Use?

Explore guardrails, bias, and hallucination. 

• Part 3: What is Generative AI?

Generative AI is very different from other types of AI. How to tell the difference and why that's important. 

• Part 4: Using ChatGPT Effectively

Learn how to use ChatGPT and other generative AI tools effectively for your academic work. 

• Part 5: Creating Multimedia with AI Tools 

Learn the basics of multimedia generation, including tools, outputs, and ethical issues. 

• Students' Guide to Generative AI
• Cite Your Sources: Citing Generative AI

The following free resources can help faculty, staff, and students build practical AI skills. No LinkedIn Learning account is required. Some Microsoft resources may require signing in with your institutional Microsoft account, and available features may vary based on licensing.

***Disclaimer: Some resources reference third-party AI tools that are not licensed or officially supported by the institution. These materials are provided sole for educational and informational purposes to demonstrate potential uses cases and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific product or service.***

Start Here: AI and Copilot Basics

For Students

These resources are provided for learning and exploration. Do not enter protected student information, confidential institutional data, personnel records, or sensitive personal information into any AI tool unless it has been approved by the institution for that type of data.

Student Use Cases for Responsible AI Use

AI tools can support learning, studying, brainstorming, and career preparation. Students should always follow course-specific policies and instructor guidance. If an instructor says AI is not allowed for an assignment, students should not use AI for that assignment. When in doubt, students should ask their instructor before using AI.

Use Case 1: Studying With AI as a Tutor, Not an Answer Machine

What This Helps With

AI can help students review course concepts, generate practice questions, explain difficult material in different ways, and create study plans. The goal is to support learning, not replace it.

Before You Use It

• Check your syllabus and assignment instructions.
• Use AI to help you understand material, not to complete work your instructor expects you to do independently.
• Verify AI explanations against course materials, textbooks, notes, or instructor guidance.
• Do not enter private, sensitive, or personally identifiable information into an AI tool unless it is approved for that type of use.

When To Use It

• Preparing for a quiz or exam
• Reviewing lecture notes
• Understanding a difficult concept
• Creating practice questions
• Planning study time

Example Workflow

1. Gather your own notes, slides, or reading summary.
2. Ask AI to explain the concept at your current level.
3. Ask for practice questions.
4. Answer the questions without AI.
5. Ask AI to explain what you missed.
6. Verify the explanation against course materials.

Example Prompt

Human Role

• Use your own course materials
• Try practice questions before looking at answers
• Check AI explanations against instructor-provided materials
• Follow your course AI policy
• Ask your instructor when you are unsure whether AI use is allowed

Benefits

• Helps students study more actively
• Supports review and self-testing
• Makes difficult concepts easier to approach
• Helps students identify gaps in understanding

Risks

• AI may explain something incorrectly
• AI may not know your instructor’s expectations
• Students may over-rely on AI instead of practicing independently
• AI use may not be allowed for certain assignments or courses

Use Case 2: Career Readiness and Professional Communication

What This Helps With

AI can help students prepare for internships, jobs, networking, interviews, and professional communication. It can help students understand job descriptions, identify relevant skills, practice interview questions, and improve drafts. AI should support, not replace, campus career services or human feedback.

Work With the Career Center

Students are encouraged to use AI as a starting point and then work with the Career Center or appropriate campus career resource for feedback. Career staff can help students refine resumes, cover letters, interview responses, job search strategies, and professional communication so materials are accurate, ethical, and tailored to the student’s goals.

When To Use It

• Understanding a job or internship description
• Preparing for an interview
• Drafting a networking email
• Improving resume bullet points based on real experience
• Practicing how to describe skills and accomplishments

Example Workflow

1. Paste a job or internship description into the AI tool.
2. Add your actual experience, skills, coursework, projects, or campus involvement.
3. Ask AI to identify key skills and suggest ways to connect your experience to the opportunity.
4. Review the output and remove anything that is exaggerated, inaccurate, or not in your voice.
5. Bring the revised draft to the Career Center or a trusted campus resource for feedback.
6. Make the final edits yourself before submitting or sending anything.

Example Prompt

Human Role

• Provide truthful information
• Edit for accuracy and personal voice
• Avoid exaggerating skills or experience
• Ask the Career Center or another campus resource for feedback
• Make the final decision about what to submit or send

Benefits

• Helps students connect their experience to opportunities
• Supports interview preparation
• Builds professional communication skills
• Helps students prepare better questions for Career Center appointments

Risks

• AI may exaggerate accomplishments
• AI may create generic application materials
• Students may submit materials that do not sound like them
• AI feedback does not replace professional career advising

For other examples of use cases, see University of South Florida's Student AI Case Studies