Generative Artificial Intelligence

Getting Started

The first step in being able to effectively use generative AI tools in your teaching is to become familiar with what they can and can't do. If you haven't started this already, go the Generative AI Tools page to start exploring. Sign up for accounts and start playing around.

If you would like help getting started with some sample prompts, try these: Practice Using ChatGPT

You may also want to seek advice from people who have been using these tools for some time. Thankfully, there are plenty of people willing to share their experiences. Here are a few we recommend.

Using Generative AI to Support Teaching Effectiveness

Many of the methods that can making teaching more effective are also time consuming. AI text generators, like ChatGPT, can offer a helping hand. Use the the tools to generate: 

• Varied explanations for a concept
• Multiple examples for complex ideas
• Test and quiz questions to make low-stakes assessment a frequent activity
• Create assignment prompts based on a rubric that you supply
• Generate ideas for teaching strategies on a particular concept/topic

For many more ideas, take a look at the two documents in the Sources below.

(Content from articles below)

Sources

Integrating Generative AI into Assignments

Instead of asking students to avoid using generative AI tools, you may want to encourage them to explore their strengths and weaknesses. Here are some ideas for incorporating the tools into your assignments.

• Generate content based on a prompt you may have given your students and then ask your students to critique it.
• Have students generate content and then input it into ChatGPT, etc. with a prompt to modify it. You could start with reading level (for health literacy purposes) or tone/approachability but then move onto content. For example asking the tool to modify a recipe to change a food's texture or make it diabetic-friendly.
• Give students a general writing prompt and ask them to generate several research proposals on up and coming topics that haven't been well explored in the literature.
• Help students engage with values clarification or critical decision making by examining a ChatGPT response to a clinical scenario.

More Ideas

Get Insight into How Students Use these Tools

Everyone has heard at least one horror story by now about the various ways students are using ChatGPT and other generative AI tools to avoid the work of assignments. However, you might want to listen to these stories with a more open mind.

• Are we asking students to do drudge work that could better be accomplished by a machine?
• Could we add anything to current assignments to better engage students in the critical thinking we want them to develop?
• If nothing else, do the stories provide tips for what to watch for in the assignments your own students turn in?

Take a read or listen to one or more of these to start your exploration.