AI Tools for Teaching and Learning

CRJ 190: Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues

**Critical * Integrative * Adaptable**

Reflection on Instructional Change:

In the AI Tools for Teaching & Learning Workshop from the Chancellor's Office, I explored a variety of AI policies designed for different types of courses. Drawing inspiration from three of them, I crafted an AI usage policy tailored to my writing-intensive CRJ 190 course. My goal was to create a clear, helpful, and non-punitive policy that acknowledged the complexities of using AI in academic settings. I used ChatGPT to help draft the language and streamline the final version for clarity and tone.

Implementing the new policy has been a positive experience. I feel confident that it provides flexibility while preventing potential misuse. I emphasize to my students that AI can be a helpful tool when used ethically and transparently. While some students still had questions about appropriate AI use, most responded well. One of the most effective uses of AI in this course was having students use it to brainstorm discussion questions for their presentations. Several students told me AI was super helpful to them for this task!

I'm grateful to have been part of this FLC, as it deepened my understanding of AI's possibilities and limitations. The most impactful assignment was developing the AI policy for CRJ 190, but I also appreciated the exercises focused on identifying AI-generated writing and images. (I now find myself closely inspecting hands in photos!)

The Observe and Analyze session was also valuable, as my peers' feedback reminded me that our class policies should evolve with changing technologies. I also appreciated learning how fellow faculty are integrating AI into their teaching practices.

Evidence of Instructional Change

Evidence of Instructional Change
Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
This is a screenshot of my Observe and Analyze recording, which shows my new AI usage policy for my writing-intensive class.	This screenshot shows a question I received this semester about how to cite AI. The students used AI to create discussion questions for their 30-45 minute presentation.	This is a screenshot of my course certificate.

Practice and Reflect Teaching and Learning with AI:

The AI Tools for Teaching & Learning Workshop from the Chancellor’s Office profoundly shaped my approach to integrating AI in the classroom. One of the most meaningful outcomes was developing an AI usage policy for my writing-intensive course, CRJ 190. Drawing from policies shared in the workshop, I crafted a clear, flexible, and non-punitive policy that encourages ethical AI use. This helped set expectations and opened conversations with students about how AI can support—rather than replace—their learning.

One AI tool I incorporated was ChatGPT, which students used to generate discussion questions for their presentations. Several shared that this made the process less intimidating and sparked creativity. From a teaching perspective, it reinforced my belief that AI can be a helpful learning aid when used appropriately.

This program has also deepened my understanding of prompt engineering and detecting AI-generated content--skills I now use in both my teaching and day-to-day work. While my overall stance on AI hasn’t changed, my response has evolved. I now feel more confident in guiding students through responsible use. This program has reminded me that policies will need to evolve alongside technology, and I look forward to continuing that process in future courses.

Course Syllabus

My CRJ 190 Syllabus is HERE.

Please note the new AI usage policy on page 19 of the syllabus.

Faculty Bio

Faculty Bio
Faculty Picture	Faculty Professional Background
	Dr. Danielle C. Slakoff is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at California State University, Sacramento. She is a nationally-recognized expert on the media's portrayal of the criminal justice system. Dr. Slakoff’s research has been published in top journals in the fields of criminal justice and mass communications, including Violence Against Women, Race and Justice, The Journal of Family Violence, and Feminist Media Studies. Her research and commentary have been featured on the nationally-syndicated Tamron Hall show, PBS NewsHour, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Vice News, and NewsNation, among many other outlets. In 2025, she was awarded the Fellows Award by the Western Society of Criminology “in recognition of [her] scholarship’s profound influence on criminology.” In 2023, she was an awardee of the Woman of Influence Award at California State University, Sacramento.

Funding Source
	This work was supported by: US Department of Education P031S230256 and P031C210012 *Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the US Department of Education.