Introduction
CoGrader is committed to continually enhancing our platform to provide the best possible grading and feedback experience for our students and teachers. In pursuit of this goal, we are thrilled to introduce artificial intelligence ("AI") technology into the CoGrader service. CoGrader has partnered with trusted service providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta to launch new AI features aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of our CoGrader service, and meeting the needs of our students and teachers.
Our innovative features include tools to assist teachers in grading assignments, providing feedback, and creating educational content. These exciting new features will:
- help teachers grade assignments more efficiently and consistently;
- enable teachers to provide more detailed and personalized feedback to students;
- aid teachers in creating tailored rubrics and assessment criteria;
- support the creation of personalized learning plans based on student performance;
- assist teachers in crafting engaging educational content.
With these AI enhancements, students and teachers will benefit from a more interactive, engaging, and responsive educational experience.
1. Our Commitment
We understand the importance of ensuring strong privacy and security protections for our students and teachers as we integrate new, rapidly changing AI technology, and we want to assure you that we will handle your data with the utmost care and responsibility. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and responsibility in handling your data, we are providing the following information on our new CoGrader AI tools and the choices you have with regard to them.
CoGrader supports the Education Technology Industry's Principles for AI in Education to ensure safe and responsible use of data in AI technology. By aligning with these principles, we aim to harness the power of AI technology to enrich the learning experience for all our users while upholding the highest standards of privacy, security, and ethical conduct. Read more about the Principles for AI in Education here that are intended to help guide the industry’s development of responsible AI that meets the needs of students, educators and families. CoGrader is also a member of the EdSAFE AI Industry Council and supports the principles of the SAFE Framework - Safety, Accountability, Fairness & Effectiveness in AI.
This article covers:
- How CoGrader Uses AI Features
- What Information is Used to Provide the AI features
- How CoGrader Uses Data to Provide the AI features
- How We Work with Trusted Service Providers to Offer AI-enhanced Services
- How Can Parents Opt Out?
- Limitations of CoGrader AI Features
2. How CoGrader Uses AI Features
Teachers and schools may choose to utilize certain AI features, (e.g., Assignment Grader, Feedback Generator, or Rubric Creator) by actively engaging with one of these AI tools. The teacher will provide certain text-only content which may contain student personal information ("Input"). CoGrader will then provide a set of instructions or "prompts" ("Prompts") into the AI-provided tool and will then send both the Input and Prompts to integrated Large Language Model ("LLM") service providers to perform certain AI-related functions upon the Input in order to produce AI-generated responses on the Input called the "Output".
The various AI-related functions performed on the Input are done through the use of CoGrader-directed instructions or Prompts to our LLM providers (e.g., "grade this assignment based on the provided rubric"). These text-only Inputs and Prompts are sent to the LLMs, who then process them and generate the result called an Output and return the result or Output to CoGrader. CoGrader then takes this Output and presents it to the teacher in the CoGrader services. Input, Prompt, and Output data processed by our LLM providers is retained only transiently to provide the service and for trust and safety purposes; then deleted immediately upon creation of the Outputs.
3. What Information is Used to Provide the AI features
In serving these new AI features, CoGrader leverages the following information:
- Inputs from teachers, such as student assignments, rubrics, or other contextual text input.
- Prompts or instructions from CoGrader, such as "Grade this assignment based on the provided rubric".
- Outputs which include AI-generated grades, feedback suggestions, and content recommendations, which are reviewed by teachers before being shared with the intended audience.
All information provided to our LLM providers is securely transmitted for processing, stored in the United States, and encrypted both in transit and at rest. Our data retention policies ensure Inputs and Prompts are deleted after processing by our LLM providers, and that Outputs are safeguarded and stored securely in alignment with CoGrader's existing policies.
4. CoGrader AI Tools Overview
Assignment Grader
Purpose: Helps teachers grade assignments efficiently and consistently.
- User input: student assignments (text only, no photos) and grading rubrics.
- AI output: suggested grades and feedback for teacher review.
- Data handling: input collected from teachers only; output reviewed by teachers before sharing with students; all data encrypted and stored in the United States; AI provider retains data only during active processing.
Feedback Generator
Purpose: Helps teachers provide detailed feedback on student work.
- User input: student assignments (text only, no photos) and feedback criteria.
- AI output: detailed feedback suggestions for teacher review.
- Data handling: input collected from teachers only; output reviewed by teachers before sharing with students; all data encrypted and stored in the United States; AI provider retains data only during active processing.
Rubric Creator
Purpose: Assists teachers in creating comprehensive rubrics for assignments.
- User input: assignment description and learning objectives.
- AI output: suggested rubric criteria and descriptors.
- Data handling: input collected from teachers only; output reviewed by teachers before use; all data encrypted and stored in the United States; AI provider retains data only during active processing.
General data-handling practices
- All user inputs and AI outputs are encrypted in transit.
- CoGrader retains data for usage by teachers, to enforce policies, and improve the product.
- Data is deleted upon direction by teacher/school or contract termination, unless required by law to retain.
- No information is used to train AI models.
5. How CoGrader Uses the Data to Provide the AI Features
CoGrader teachers will provide into the CoGrader AI-provided tool, text-only Inputs or content which may contain student personal information. Additionally, CoGrader will provide a set of instructions or "Prompts". CoGrader will then send both the Input and Prompts to integrated LLM service providers to perform certain AI-related functions upon the Input in order to produce AI-generated responses on the Input called "Output". To protect the privacy of users, CoGrader does not otherwise share any direct identifiers of students to the LLMs (except to the extent that any direct identifiers are included within the teacher-provided Input).
Data obtained from the Inputs, Prompts and Outputs may be accessed, processed and used by CoGrader to provide, improve and maintain the Service, perform internal analysis, and keep our platform safe and secure.
CoGrader does not use any information contained in any Inputs, Prompts, or Output to train any of CoGrader's artificial intelligence models. Additionally, CoGrader does not allow its LLM or AI third-party service providers to use any information to train, improve or develop their artificial intelligence models.
6. How We Work With Trusted Service Providers To Offer AI-Enhanced Services
To deliver these new AI-enhanced features on the CoGrader platform, CoGrader works with trusted service providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. In engaging with these third-party service providers, CoGrader remains committed to upholding our values of transparency, accountability, fairness, and safety in the use of user data in AI technology.
7. How Can Parents Opt Out?
Your child's school may have acted as your agent and consented on your behalf to allow your child access to the CoGrader service as is allowed under FERPA. If so, and your child's teacher is allowing your child to use CoGrader, please contact your child's teacher to opt out of having their school or teacher use any of your child's Student Data as Input within the AI features.
8. Limitations of CoGrader AI
While these AI tools are designed to support and enrich learning, it is crucial to recognize that the AI-generated content and solutions provided by our platform are not perfect and are based on and limited to the data the AI has been trained on. As a result, there may be instances where the AI's outputs might not fully grasp the nuances of a new or complex problem, leading to potential inaccuracies, incorrect or misleading information, or misinterpretations.
Given the reliance on AI to assist with grading and provide educational content, we recommend our teachers critically assess the AI's guidance and verify its accuracy, especially when it pertains to complex subjects or advanced topics. CoGrader has provided the ability for teachers to review and modify the various AI insights or "Outputs" prior to sharing with students and families.
CoGrader is committed to reducing the limitations of AI by focusing on responsible AI development. This includes ensuring that our AI-powered classroom features are built with privacy, security, inclusion, trust, and safety at their core. Our approach to integrating AI into educational tools reflects our dedication to providing a supportive, effective, and respectful learning environment for all users.
9. How to contact us
Should you have any questions about CoGrader's use of AI, our privacy or safety practices in the handling of your data, or for any other purpose, please contact us by email at support@cograder.com.