Student-Friendly Model Cards: A How-To

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly woven into the fabric of educational environments across Europe. With this growing integration comes the responsibility to demystify how these systems operate, especially for students who interact with them daily. Model cards provide a transparent and accessible way to communicate essential information about AI models, bridging the gap between developers, educators, and learners. In this article, we explore the practice of creating student-friendly model cards—documents designed to summarise key facts about AI models in clear, plain English. You will find guidance on how to craft these cards, why they matter, and a practical template to get started.

Why Model Cards Matter in Education

AI models can appear as “black boxes,” making it difficult for non-experts to understand their inner workings or limitations. Model cards are concise documents that explain, in an approachable way, what an AI model is, who built it, what it’s for, and how it should (and should not) be used. For students, this transparency is both empowering and protective.

Model cards promote responsible AI use by equipping users—including students and teachers—with the information needed to make informed decisions about when and how to rely on AI outputs.

For educators, integrating model cards into the curriculum can foster digital literacy and critical thinking, key competencies in the European Union’s Digital Education Action Plan. For students, it encourages curiosity and agency, transforming them from passive users of AI to engaged, thoughtful participants.

Core Elements of a Student-Friendly Model Card

While the original concept of model cards was developed for AI researchers and policymakers, student-friendly model cards need to be accessible. This means using plain language, clear formatting, and relatable examples. A well-crafted model card should address the following areas:

• Model Purpose: What does the model do?
• How It Works: A high-level explanation, avoiding technical jargon.
• Intended Users and Uses: Who should use it, and for what?
• Limitations: When might the model give wrong or biased results?
• Data Sources: What data was the model trained on?
• Ethical Considerations: Are there risks to fairness, privacy, or safety?
• Contact or Feedback: How can users report problems or ask questions?

These elements can be adapted to suit the age group and context. For younger students, simpler language and visuals may be appropriate; for university students, cards can encourage deeper analysis.

Principles for Writing in Plain English

The most important aspect of a student-friendly model card is clarity. Here are some guiding principles:

• Use everyday language. Replace technical terms with familiar words or explain them with examples.
• Be specific, not vague. Instead of saying “the model may not always be correct,” try “the model might make mistakes if it sees slang or words it hasn’t learned before.”
• Keep sentences short. Break up long explanations into smaller parts.
• Use active voice and direct address. (“You can use this model to…” rather than “This model can be used to…”)
• Include examples. Show, don’t just tell.

Clarity is not about dumbing down; it’s about inviting everyone into the conversation—regardless of their technical background.

Template: Student-Friendly Model Card

Below is a template you can adapt for your own AI models or classroom projects. Each section includes suggestions and prompts to guide your writing.

Model Name

Example: “Essay Feedback Helper”

What does this model do?

Describe the main function in one or two sentences.
Example: “This model reads your essay and suggests ways to improve your grammar and sentence structure.”

How does it work (in simple terms)?

Explain the main idea without technical jargon.
Example: “The model has read thousands of essays. It looks for patterns in your writing and compares them to what it has learned.”

Who should use it, and why?

State the intended users and the main benefit.
Example: “Students who want feedback on their writing before handing in their work.”

What should you not use it for?

Be clear about the model’s limits.
Example: “Don’t use this model to check if your essay is original—it can’t detect plagiarism.”

Where did the model’s knowledge come from?

Briefly mention the data sources, in non-technical terms.
Example: “The model learned from essays written by students and corrected by teachers.”

What are the model’s strengths and weaknesses?

Describe in plain English, with examples if possible.
Example: “It’s good at catching spelling and grammar mistakes, but sometimes it misses mistakes in longer or very creative sentences.”

Are there any risks or things to watch out for?

Mention possible biases or errors, and how to handle them.
Example: “The model might not understand slang or words from other languages. Always read its suggestions carefully and decide if they make sense for your work.”

Who can you contact for help or feedback?

Provide a contact email or link to a feedback form.
Example: “If you find a mistake or have questions, email ai.team@school.edu.”

Adapting Model Cards for Different Learning Contexts

The flexibility of the model card format means it can be tailored for various classroom settings, subjects, and student ages.

Primary and Secondary Schools

For younger students, simplicity is key. Use short sentences, visuals, and analogies they can relate to. For example, compare the model to a “helpful robot assistant” and highlight safety tips in bold or with icons.

Vocational and Adult Education

Older students may benefit from case studies or short scenarios showing how model limitations might affect real-world outcomes. Encourage them to think critically about when to trust AI outputs and when to seek human expertise.

Higher Education and Research

University students, especially those studying computer science, ethics, or education, can use model cards as a springboard for deeper inquiry. Invite them to critique the card, identify gaps, or even create their own based on models they build or study.

A student-friendly model card isn’t just documentation—it’s a starting point for dialogue and discovery about AI.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in the European Context

European educators must also be aware of the evolving legal and ethical landscape around AI. The EU AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set high standards for transparency, fairness, and data protection.

• Transparency: Model cards support the requirement to explain automated decisions to users, especially when these decisions affect learning or assessment.
• Bias and Fairness: Be open about any known limitations or biases in the model. For example, if it works better for essays written in standard English, say so, and encourage feedback from users with different backgrounds.
• Data Privacy: Avoid sharing personal data in model cards, and clarify what data the model uses and how privacy is protected.

By using model cards, you can demonstrate compliance with these regulations while building trust with students and colleagues.

Tips for Introducing Model Cards in the Classroom

• Start with a discussion: Ask students what they think AI “knows” or how it “thinks.” Use their questions to introduce the idea of model cards.
• Use real-life examples: Show model cards for familiar tools, such as spell-checkers or translation apps.
• Make it interactive: Have students review a model card and suggest improvements, or create cards for their own digital projects.
• Connect to curriculum goals: Link model card activities to digital literacy, critical thinking, media studies, or ethics lessons.

When students understand the strengths and limits of AI, they become wiser, more independent users of technology.

Sample Model Card: “QuizBot”

Below is a filled-in example, based on a hypothetical AI that generates practice quizzes for students.

Model Name

QuizBot

What does this model do?

QuizBot creates multiple-choice practice quizzes from your textbook chapters to help you prepare for tests.

How does it work (in simple terms)?

It reads your textbook chapter, looks for main ideas and key facts, and writes questions based on what it finds.

Who should use it, and why?

Students who want extra practice before a quiz or exam.

What should you not use it for?

Don’t use QuizBot to create questions for graded exams or assignments—it might not cover everything your teacher expects.

Where did the model’s knowledge come from?

QuizBot was trained on thousands of school textbooks and practice quizzes.

What are the model’s strengths and weaknesses?

QuizBot is good at making questions about facts and definitions. It sometimes struggles with higher-order questions that require deep analysis.

Are there any risks or things to watch out for?

QuizBot may sometimes make mistakes or ask confusing questions. Always double-check its quizzes, and ask your teacher if you’re unsure.

Who can you contact for help or feedback?

Send questions or feedback to quizbot-support@school.edu.

Encouraging a Culture of AI Transparency

By making model cards an ordinary part of AI use in education, you can nurture a culture of transparency and responsible innovation. Students not only learn how to use AI, but also how to question it, understand its boundaries, and contribute to its improvement.

As European educators, you are in a unique position to shape how the next generation perceives and interacts with intelligent technology. By adopting model cards—and teaching students to read, critique, and even write them—you offer a powerful tool for fostering digital citizenship and lifelong learning.

Let model cards be not just a summary of technology, but an invitation to curiosity, understanding, and shared responsibility in the age of AI.