Students’ questions don’t end when class does. Whether they’re studying late at night, working through an assignment, or preparing for an exam, many learners need timely support when instructors aren’t available. While AI has the potential to fill that gap, unrestricted chatbots can provide inaccurate, irrelevant, or misleading information, raising concerns about academic integrity, privacy, bias, and student overreliance. The challenge isn’t whether to use AI—it’s how to use it responsibly.
In this 20-Minute Mentor, JJ Wallace demonstrates how to build a course-aligned AI study buddy that provides accurate, purposeful support while reinforcing your teaching. Using a real-world example, he walks through a practical three-step process for selecting a platform, curating course materials, writing effective instructions, and setting clear boundaries for AI use. You’ll also learn how to introduce the tool to students, address common concerns like hallucinations and copyright, and refine your study buddy over time. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear framework for creating AI learning support that enhances student success while remaining aligned with your course goals and academic integrity expectations.
