Where is your line — and where should our line be as a class?
This routine helps you map out different AI uses, see where others draw their lines, and work together to decide what’s appropriate for a specific learning context (like an assignment, a task, or even a larger class policy).
The play
Navigate gray areas
The dilemma
Many uses of AI fall in the gray area and the rules are unclear.
The moves
Brainstorm AI uses, map where they fall, and decide on the line with this practice.
When to call
Before any unit and assignment, or after one goes sideways.
HOW TO RUN IT
Think about the different ways AI could be used and decide where you draw the line. Then, align.
ALL five AI plays
- Values Bridge
- Making AI Pressures Visible
- Align on the Line
- Map a Moment
- AI to Z
RELATED RESOURCES
VIDEO · AI FRAMEWORK
AGENCY-CENTERED FRAMEWORK FOR AI LITERACY
Explore the framework underpinning all of the AI plays.
Report · AI POLICIES
AN AI POLICY IS NOT A PLAYBOOK
Read CDT’s national landscape analysis of AI policies in schools, featuring educator and youth voices.
PD Course · 12 HouRS
8 Mindshifts for Teaching Digital Well-Being
Our self-paced course for educators features eight pivots and new AI content.
This resource was created by the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education. It was made possible through the support of Grant 63220 from the John Templeton Foundation. It has a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Remixing is encouraged! Suggested attribution: Tench, B., Weinstein, E. (2025). Align on the Line: A framework making ethical lines visible. Cambridge, MA, USA,: Center for Digital Thriving.
