Kimberly Tomeny
Generative AI has the potential to support instructors ask they strive to streamline tasks, increase efficiency and enhance their teaching practices. Navigating the use of AI as a teaching tool can feel daunting to instructors who may not know where to begin or may not have dedicated time in their busy schedules to begin exploring AI. To make the transition more manageable, here’s five simple tips for how to incorporate AI into your teaching practice.
- Assignment Generation: AI can assist instructors in developing new and engaging assignments specific to one’s discipline, ranging from case studies to debates. Instructors can provide information about their course, student learning outcomes and formatting preferences (e.g., scenario-based problem, role-play activity). AI can then create course-specific assignment ideas, which instructors can modify as needed.
- Rubric Design: AI can support the creation of clear, structured rubrics when given assignment descriptions and learning objectives. Instructors can provide guidance on components such as rubric categories, criteria and point amounts, and refine the AI-generated rubric to ensure alignment with the assignment.
- Summaries of Key Concepts: AI can provide condensed summaries of lengthy readings, research articles or even lecture notes. This can help with creating discussion materials or study guides that highlight main ideas and takeaway points.
- Active Learning Strategies: AI can support instructors in planning their class sessions by creating a list of active learning techniques to be used throughout the class. Instructors can provide specific information about their course, such as size, format, level of students and learning objectives, and choose strategies that might fit best within their class.
- Practice Questions: AI can help with the development of practice questions for exams or in-class polls to facilitate learning and assess student understanding. Instructors can share key concepts to be assessed, and AI can create different types of questions (e.g., multiple choice, short answer, discussion) at varying levels of difficulty.
By starting with these simple steps, instructors can leverage AI to enhance their teaching and promote student engagement and learning in their courses.
Caveat: Considerations for Using AI in Your Course
While AI can be a valuable tool for enhancing teaching efficiency and creativity, it is important to approach its use with careful consideration. Generative AI systems, while powerful, have limitations that faculty should keep in mind as they explore potential applications in their courses.
- Accuracy and Reliability – AI-generated content may not always be accurate, nuanced, or free of bias. Instructors should critically review and refine any AI-generated assignments, rubrics, summaries or practice questions to ensure quality and alignment with course objectives.
- Academic Integrity – If students are encouraged or expected to use AI in coursework, clear guidelines should be provided on appropriate and ethical use. Faculty should also develop strategies to uphold academic integrity.
- Transparency With Students – If AI-generated materials are incorporated into teaching, faculty should be transparent about their use. Discussing AI openly with students can foster critical conversations about its capabilities, limitations and ethical implications.
- Data Privacy and Security – Some AI tools collect and store user data, including prompts and responses. Instructors should be mindful of institutional policies and data privacy concerns when selecting AI tools for educational use.
- Pedagogical Alignment – AI should serve as a tool to support learning, not replace the cognitive work that helps students build critical thinking skills. Faculty should ensure that AI-generated materials enhance, rather than diminish, students’ engagement with the subject matter.
By taking these considerations into account, instructors can thoughtfully integrate AI into their teaching while maintaining academic rigor and fostering responsible use among students.