Using the AI Tutor
The AI Tutor provides 24/7 assistance to students, grounded in your course materials.
What is the AI Tutor?
An AI-powered assistant that:
- Answers questions about course content
- Explains concepts in different ways
- Helps with problem-solving
- Provides study guidance
How It Works
For Students
1. Click the AI Tutor icon in any course
2. Ask a question about the material
3. Get an instant, relevant response
4. Follow up with more questions
Grounded Responses
The AI only uses:
- Your course materials
- Approved resources
- Instructor-provided content
It won't make up information or go outside course scope.
Instructor Controls
Content Access
Configure what the AI can reference:
- All course content
- Specific sections only
- Approved external resources
Response Settings
- Tone and formality
- Answer depth
- Citation requirements
Boundaries
Set what the AI should not do:
- Give direct answers to graded questions
- Complete assignments for students
- Discuss off-topic subjects
Student Experience
Asking Questions
- Natural language queries
- "Explain X to me"
- "Help me understand Y"
- "What's the difference between A and B?"
Getting Help
- Step-by-step explanations
- Examples and analogies
- Related concepts
- Study tips
Limitations
The AI will:
- Direct students to instructor for graded items
- Indicate when unsure
- Encourage independent learning
Analytics
Track AI Tutor usage:
- Questions asked per course
- Common topics
- Student engagement
- Helpful/not helpful ratings
Best Practices
For Instructors
1. Upload comprehensive materials
2. Review AI response samples
3. Adjust settings as needed
4. Monitor usage analytics
For Students
1. Ask specific questions
2. Follow up for clarity
3. Use for understanding, not answers
4. Report unhelpful responses