Constructive Alignment in the AI Era: An Ethical Framework for AI-Learner Collaboration

Background

The increasing integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into higher education presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI tools offer enhanced learning experiences, they also raise critical concerns related to academic integrity, including plagiarism, contract cheating, and inappropriate AI use. Avoiding AI is no longer a practical solution. Instead, educational systems must evolve to integrate AI responsibly and ethically.

Current instructional design models often fall short of addressing the complexities introduced by AI-assisted learning. As a result, there is a growing need for a more robust approach that aligns pedagogy, assessment, and learning outcomes with the realities of AI-enabled education. This project addresses that gap through the development of a new framework that enables ethical AI-learner collaboration and maintains constructive alignment.

This project introduces a novel approach by applying Stoic Philosophy (focusing on control, responsibility, and adaptability) to guide ethical practices in AI integration. It proposes a framework that enables institutions to maintain academic values while preparing students for an AI-augmented workforce. The study also contributes to redefining learning outcomes and designing assessments that foster critical thinking and creativity.

Project Aim

This study aims to develop a structured ethical framework for integrating AI into higher education settings. It will guide educators in aligning teaching methods, learning outcomes, and assessments to ensure ethical, effective, and industry-relevant AI usage by learners.

Key Objectives

  • Design a framework for integrating AI in education that maintains constructive alignment and supports ethical practices
  • Align student competencies with evolving industry needs through AI-enhanced learning experiences
  • Apply Stoic philosophical principles to guide ethical decision-making in AI-learner interactions

Expected Outcomes

  • A practical framework for integrating AI ethically into educational design and delivery
  • Guidelines for aligning student skills with industry requirements in AI-driven sectors
  • Insights into the use of Stoic principles for addressing contemporary ethical challenges in AI-augmented learning environments

Project Lead

Lankani Croos (PhD candidate)

Project Team

Prof John Grundy, Prof Andrew Cain