Written by: Amie S. Wright
As an instructor in the Informatics Department, I actively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into my teaching methodology. My goal is to empower students with the opportunity to explore and evaluate these tools, considering their potential benefits for their coursework.
In my various courses—ranging from foundations, Beginning Web Development, Web Development for non-majors, and a Senior Capstone course, I purposefully incorporate AI technologies to empower students with the opportunity to explore their utility in their academic pursuits.
Throughout the curriculum, I have implemented assignments that prompt students to engage with AI-enhanced tasks such as crafting essays, curating photo galleries, designing websites, generating content, proposing project ideas, and forming team identities. This proactive approach aims to familiarize students with AI applications and assess their potential relevance to their academic and professional endeavors. In the upcoming fall semester, I plan to expand upon these initiatives by introducing additional assignments and further experimenting with diverse AI tools.
The AI tools I’ve utilized personally or introduced to my classes include:
1. ChatGPT: For natural language interactions and problem-solving.
2. Copilot: A powerful code-writing assistant that enhances programming tasks.
3. Dall-E: An image generation model that sparks creativity.
4. SitesGPT: A versatile tool for website development.
Additionally, I recommend other AI-enhanced platforms to my students, such as Adobe, Figma, Canva, Coolors, and Visme. These tools provide valuable assistance across various creative domains.
To foster critical reflection and insight, students are encouraged to incorporate a reflective component into their assignments. This entails evaluating the efficacy of the AI tools employed, assessing their helpfulness, evaluating the generated outputs, identifying patterns in prompt usage, and discerning keywords that optimize AI comprehension.
● Usefulness: Did the AI tool enhance their productivity or creativity?
● Prompt Variability: How well did the tool respond to different prompts?
● Keyword Insights: Did specific keywords improve the AI’s understanding?
● Strengths and Weaknesses: What are the tool’s overall strengths and limitations?
While students appreciate the benefits of AI, they also recognize that not every suggestion aligns perfectly with their vision. They learn to infuse their unique voice into assignments, striking a balance between AI assistance and personal expression.
In summary, AI tools offer immense potential for teaching and learning, but students must wield them thoughtfully, adding their distinct perspectives to meet assignment requirements.
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