Generative AI and Teaching and Learning
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a type of AI that generates new content—text, images, audio—from patterns in existing content. Large language models, like ChatGPT, can create essays, poetry, song lyrics, or computer code on just about any topic. Through conversational interactions, these tools generate grammatically correct content in mere seconds.
Generative AI has the potential to disrupt many aspects our lives. The tools, even in their infancy, are capable of copyediting, writing legal briefs, and providing customer service, among other tasks. In teaching and learning, the tools can quickly produce outlines and complete essays, help brainstorm project topics, and analyze texts. They aren't thinking; they don't understand. The tools simply solve complex word puzzles extremely fast by analyzing patterns and probabilities. Generative AI is only as good as the data it eats, but it will get better and power many of the tools we use daily, like Google and Microsoft Word.
Continue on to see demos of ChatGPT and learn about concrete strategies for teaching and learning in an AI-enabled world.
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Generative AI Demos
The number of AI tools grows daily. A popular one that has immediate use in higher education, ChatGPT is an AI capable of engaging in conversation based on user prompts and questions. It can produce writing on virtually any topic prior to 2021 in seemingly unlimited format and styles. Although currently free, it will eventually require a user fee. These two demos highlight its capabilities.
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Writing and Science Demo
Select image below to view video.
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Social Science Demo
Select image below to view video.
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Moonbeam is a fee-based AI writing assistant specifically trained to help authors write essays, stories, articles, blogs, and other long-form content.
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Explainpaper is an AI that allows users to upload papers, highlight confusing text, and receive readable explanations.
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Please keep in mind that there are privacy concerns with these tools. All ask users to create accounts and collect the prompts and feedback users provide.
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Pedagogical Recommendations
It is unreasonable to believe that we will be able to curtail, prohibit, or police the use of AI tools. Strategies for using them in higher education settings center on three main options:
- help students understand how and when to appropriately use AI tools.
- modify assignments to require students to move beyond what AI tools can do.
- actively use AI tools to support/enhance teaching and/or learning.
These guides have many practical ideas you can use as is or adapt for your specific teaching context:
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Sample Syllabus Language
New artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT, are capable of automating tasks related to learning processes both quickly and relatively accurately. For example, they can help you brainstorm ideas for papers, draft outlines, generate rough essays, analyze texts, and even write computer code. While the tools can be useful aids, they are no substitute for the types of knowledge you’ll need to gain or skills you’ll need to develop in this course. In fact, the tools themselves often provide very shallow information that is factually incorrect. At times I may encourage you to use these tools and at other times you might use them on your own. Regardless of the situation, you should clearly indicate on assignments when and how you used the tools, the prompts you used to generate output, how you fact-checked the output, and the revision process you employed to generate your final work.
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CTE Support
Our team is available for consultations if you would like to discuss more specific recommendations for your course. Submit a request. Also, we are currently determining how best to provide additional support and resources—stay tuned for more information coming soon.
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