AI reflection forms are quietly becoming one of the most useful teaching tools of the year.
We first saw them used at American University’s Kogod School of Business (OpenAI Forum talk) where professors would incorporate the prompt: “How did you use AI while completing this assignment?” They’re now showing up across disciplines - from STEM to the humanities - surfacing how students reason through their work, not just what they submit.
Here’s why AI reflection forms are worth including in your course this fall:
◼️ They offer rare insight into student thinking.
When students explain where AI helped (and where it didn’t), you get a clearer picture of their reasoning. Did they use it to reframe the problem? Polish language? Brainstorm structure? That kind of transparency is hard to surface in traditional assignments.
◼️ They normalize intentional use.
They help move past the “ban or allow” phase. Disclosure forms help students treat AI as a tool to be evaluated. It encourages honest conversations and smarter use.
◼️ They build habits students will need in future workplaces.
Whether in journalism, finance, healthcare, or the arts, AI can help them perform better at their work. Learning to engage with it as a collaborator and thought partner is a career skill.
AI reflection forms take around five minutes to complete—and with the help of AI, professors can quickly spot patterns and gaps. It might be one of the highest-leverage changes you make to your syllabus this year.
To make it easier for you to get started, we’ve put together a template for you below. Feel free to use and modify for your classroom!
Higher Education: AI Reflection Form
Why this form?
We’re learning together how to use AI well—where it helps, where it doesn’t, and how to build habits that will serve you beyond this class.
This short reflection helps you think critically about how you used it on this assignment.
1. Did you use ChatGPT or another AI tool for this assignment?
( ) Yes, I used ChatGPT
( ) Yes, I used another AI tool (Please specify ____________)
( ) No, I did not use an AI tool
2. If you used ChatGPT, which plan (e.g. Free, Plus, Pro), model (e.g. 4o, OpenAI o-series), and/or feature (e.g. voice mode, canvas) did you use?
Short answer
3. What did you use an AI tool to help with?
(Check all that apply)
[ ] Brainstorming or coming up with ideas
[ ] Organizing or outlining
[ ] Drafting a response or code
[ ] Editing or rewriting
[ ] Explaining a concept I didn’t understand
[ ] Summarizing or simplifying information
[ ] Something else: ___________
4. In your own words: how did you use the AI tool?
What did it help with? Did you keep the output as-is or make changes?
2–4 sentence response
5. What didn’t work well—or where did AI fall short?
Be honest! We're here to learn what to trust and what to question.
Short open response
Thanks for reflecting—and for helping shape what responsible AI use looks like in education.
