Reflect on AI Revised SMART Goals (& Ethical Alternative)

Lesson by Kay Emmert

Explanation (for Instructors)

This assignment invites students to reflect on and revise their goals using the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The unique element of this exercise is the integration of generative AI as a “peer review” tool.

In acknowledgement of the fact that some students may have ethical objections to AI, this assignment also provides an ethical alternative to the assignment.

Instructions (for Students)

Reflect on AI Revised SMART Goals

Use Your preferred Generative AI app to help you revise your goals to be more SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

AI can be used as a peer-review partner. You can copy your writing into the AI chat bar and ask it questions like:  

How can I make the following goal more specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound: [[[copy your goal here]]]. 

Don’t just accept what an AI model offers. Some of its suggestions might be great, but some of them may not be helpful at all. Sometimes you have to ask it follow-up questions or tell it what wasn’t helpful about its response. Experiment with it! Ultimately, though, you should decide what advice to act on. 

In the textbox here, complete the following:

  1. Include the revised, SMARTer, version of your 3-5 goals.
  2. (50 words minimum) Then, describe how you went about improving your goals to be SMARTer. What AI model did you use? What was helpful about the suggestions the AI offered? What wasn’t helpful? What choices did you have to think through when revising your goals? 

Ethical Alternative to using AI

Do you have an ethical objection to using generative AI models? Alternatively, you may ask someone of your choosing for feedback on your SMART goals. Include the revised SMART goals you created in response to your colleague’s feedback and and explain your process including: that you chose to avoid AI assistance, who you asked for help, what suggestions you received that were helpful and/or not helpful and the choices you made in revising your goals.