AI Tools
AI tools are part of modern web development, and learning to use them well is a skill. In CS 343, you’ll practice that skill through AI Time callouts built into the labs and preps, like this one:
AI Time: Example ✨
These callouts show you a specific, effective way to use AI to support your learning (Ex: explaining an error, generating an example, reviewing code you wrote). Try each one when you see it!
Using AI is never required in this course. When you do use it, treat it as a pair programmer or tutor—not as a replacement for your own thinking. The goal is for you to learn web development.
Recommended: GitHub Copilot
We recommend GitHub Copilot, which is built into VS Code. Students get free access:
- Sign up for the GitHub Student Developer Pack with your JMU email.
- Once approved, activate your free Copilot education benefits.
- In VS Code, sign in to GitHub and open the Chat view.
Choose your model wisely
Your free student access comes with a limited amount of credits for premium models, and they can run out quickly. In the Copilot Chat model picker, choose the MAI model for everyday questions; it’s inexpensive and works well for this course.
You are welcome to use other AI tools instead (Ex: Microsoft Copilot Chat, which is free for JMU students).
Good Habits
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Ask it to explain a concept, error message, or piece of code | Ask it to write an entire page, feature, or assignment |
| Ask for a small example of a pattern, then write your own version | Paste in code you don’t understand |
| Give it context: “I’m writing vanilla JavaScript, no frameworks” | Accept the first answer without testing it |
| Ask it to review code you wrote and explain its suggestions | Let it make your design decisions for you |
| Verify what it tells you (MDN, DevTools, testing in the browser) | Assume it’s right—it is often confidently wrong |
Individual labs, preps, and exams may restrict AI use further. Always follow the instructions for each assignment.