Using AI in the Classroom
Brief Overview
When considering the many new and ever-changing AI tools, it can be difficult to know where to start and how they might be best used in the classroom. One way to approach Large Language Model (LLM) AIs such as Claude 3, ChatGPT-4o, or Gemini, is to think of them as assistants or thought partners. These chatbots can assist with instructional development and preparation tasks so that instructors can focus more on the pedagogy and practices that lead to the best outcomes for learners. When the capabilities of AI are paired with what instructors and students envision, the potential for AI to enhance the teaching and learning experience becomes more apparent.
Expand
AI can generate varied examples, scenarios, case studies, questions, activities
Students need and prefer varied examples, scenarios and case studies when learning new and complex information. Generating these things in order to expand on topics covered in class is one of the best use cases for LLM chatbots, particularly because it is possible to seek endless variations to accomplish class objectives.
Example prompt: “Write three detailed scenarios that help demonstrate the accommodating style of conflict management. Each scenario should be 1-2 paragraphs long, written at a university level. Then, write 5 critical thinking questions related to the scenarios that focus on contrasting the accommodating style of conflict management with the other styles.”
Explain
AI can generate targeted explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries, instructions
Students generally learn best in contexts they already know, which makes providing targeted, varied explanations and comparisons especially effective. Generating focused summaries and explanations to help process long and/or difficult information is something students probably already use AI to do and can be leveraged to include a larger variety of input.
Example prompt: “Explain the kinetic theory of gases in a way that a non-scientist could understand. Frame it as a comparison to something most university students are familiar with in their daily lives. Also add a series of instructions for how to demonstrate the kinetic theory of gases in a simple science experiment.”
Iterate
AI can modify context, style, voice, format, structure
Diversity of information and examples is helpful for students, especially in discovering nuance, sparking new ideas and increasing engagement. On the more creative end of the AI spectrum, LLMs can take one set of text and transform it contextually, stylistically or structurally. This might look like explaining something in the voice of a certain person, turning a book into a song or vice versa, or visualizing data sets in multiple ways.
Example prompt: “Write a summary of Plato’s Republic in the form of a Stephen Colbert monologue and also in the style of an Ezra Klein essay.”
Assess
AI can provide feedback, error correction, assessments and answers
Beyond its ability to support instructors and students in content generation, LLMs can also be used to review content. This application of AI allows for feedback, error identification and assessment. On the more technical end, AIs can help identify errors in code (as well as generate new code) to help build new programs. At the same time, AIs can offer feedback on writing samples, make and grade assessment questions or offer suggestions and improvements on ways to teach and learn specific concepts for specific learner levels. Like any tool, it isn’t perfect, but it can be used to help students and instructors consider potential issues.
Example prompt: “Proofread the following text for spelling and grammatical errors. Provide a corrected version and list the corrections that were made. Offer suggestions to make it more engaging.” [upload text]
Practice
AI can engage in practice rounds to enhance student performances
LLMs can be used to develop repetitive practice scenarios as students work to become competent in a variety of fields, including language acquisition, mathematics proficiency, and quick recall. For instance, ChatGPT-4o, which is free as of May 2024, comes with advanced audio, video, and text interaction capabilities, allowing users to converse with the LLM in a variety of languages, to get immediate audio descriptions of visuals (e.g., “What is the Spanish word for this object”?), and to translate real time conversations between two speakers using different languages.
Example prompt: “Act as a translator for me so that I can practice my French lesson. When I say something to you in French, please say it back to me in English. That way, I can see if I am creating meaningful sentences in French.” [upload text]
References
- Academic Integrity and AI (2023) [Webinar]. [Online]. The Chronicle of Higher Education. May 16, 2023.
- Facebook. Educraft. Five Roles Your Students Can Assign to Chat GPT. April 25, 2023.
- Flaherty, C. (2023). “How College Students Say They Learn Best.” Inside Higher Ed.
- Mollick, E., Mollick, L. (2023). “Let Chat GPT Be Your Teaching Assistant: Strategies for Thoughtfully Using AI to Lighten Your Workload.” Harvard Business Publishing.
- Mollick, E., Mollick, L. (2023). “Using AI to Implement Effective Teaching Strategies in Classrooms: Five Strategies, Including Prompts.” Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania & Wharton Interactive.