As emerging technologies like Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) become more prevalent, the Halton District School Board (HDSB) is proactively developing system principles, standards, and direction to ensure the safe, effective, and responsible use of these digital tools for student learning.
The following information details how GenAI will be available for students to use on the HDSB network and/or on HDSB devices such as Chromebooks.
The HDSB is committed to innovation and developing global competencies while ensuring the responsible deployment of digital GenAI tools and safeguarding students’ privacy and personal information.
Our goal is to create a learning environment where AI technologies empower rather than replace the human aspects of education. We embrace these technologies cautiously to prepare students for a future where these technologies are everywhere.
GenAI Products Approved for Student Use in the HDSB
Information Services has conducted reviews of commonly used GenAI platforms in order to determine which tools are best suited to meet the needs of HDSB students. These assessments include technical, security, and privacy reviews and were conducted in collaboration with the HDSB School Programs Department.
Effective September 2024, the following GenAI products have been approved for use in the HDSB:
Secondary Students (Grades 9 - 12)
ChatGPT
DALL-E
Perplexity
MagicWrite
Magic School for Students
Gemini for Teens
Elementary Students (Grades 7 - 8 and Secondary)
Canva / CanvaEDU
Curipod
Magic School for Students
This list is subject to change as the industry continues to evolve and new products are developed.
NOTE: No GenAI tools are currently approved for use by students in the HDSB in grades K - 6.
Student Use of GenAI Tools in the HDSB
Students may utilize approved GenAI tools in the classroom and on their own to produce, refine, and/or complete assigned tasks (e.g. research, writing):
- with their teacher’s approval;
- within the parameters established by their teacher;
- in accordance to the age limitations/restrictions as determined by the GenAI developer and the HDSB (where there is a discrepancy, the decision of the HDSB shall prevail);
- in accordance with all HDSB administrative procedures and expectations of students including but not limited to assessment and evaluation, academic honesty, etc.; and
- with meaningful, signed parental/guardian consent (unless over the age of 18 or 16 or 17 years of age and withdrawn from parental control) using the letter template developed by Information Services for such purposes.
Parent / Guardian ConsentA teacher wishing to use GenAI in their classroom with students will send a consent letter home for parents / guardians to review. This must be done for every class/course where GenAI is planning to be utilized.
Where a parent / guardian does not provide their consent, an alternate assignment(s) will be provided by the classroom teacher.
More Information
Please reach out with any questions or feedback as we navigate this rapidly changing digital environment together.
For questions or concerns about privacy and consent with respect to approved GenAI tools, please contact
privacy@hdsb.ca.
For questions or concerns about the approval of GenAI tools, security, data protection, and/or the responsible use of GenAI platforms, please contact
IT@hdsb.ca.
For questions about the use of AI and how it intersects with curriculum, assessment and evaluation, academic honesty, and other matters, please contact your child’s teacher or your school principal.
Further details about the use of GenAI in the Halton District School Board may be found in the
Technology & You section of our
website.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Shoss
Superintendent of Information Services