AI in Instruction: Lessons Learned & Future Opportunities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized education, offering new possibilities for teaching and learning. A panel discussion hosted by Christina Doan, an AI faculty fellow, and other panelists explored how AI has impacted academic instruction, sharing valuable lessons learned and insights for the future. This review summarizes the key takeaways from the session, offering a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in education.

Introduction: The Role of AI in Higher Education

The discussion, led by Christina Doan, addressed the rise of AI and its implications on university campuses. AI's role in education spans from administrative support to pedagogical innovation. The primary focus was integrating AI into courses and assignments, reducing preparation time, experimenting with new tools, and assessing AI's potential and challenges in real-time classroom settings.

Key Goals of AI Integration:

1. Primary AI Education for Faculty: Introducing faculty to AI tools and their potential applications in current course structures.
2. Encouraging Experimentation: Promoting faculty engagement in testing AI tools, evaluating their effectiveness, and sharing best practices.
3. Gathering Feedback: Obtain feedback from students about AI usage and discuss ethical considerations around AI-assisted learning.

Lessons Learned: AI's Role in Academic Settings

1. Faculty Engagement with AI

Faculty members shared their experiences using AI tools to simplify assignment preparation and revision. They leveraged AI to foster student engagement and adjusted grading rubrics to accommodate ethical considerations when students utilized AI tools for research or writing. Monthly AI coffee chats and webinars helped faculty share their experiences and strategies. 

      2. Student Perspectives on AI

Doan highlighted findings from student surveys. Students appreciated AI's support in brainstorming and outlining tasks but needed clarification over when and how to cite AI-generated content. Some students needed help understanding AI's ethical use in assignments, while others appreciated clear instructions on its role in academic tasks.

      3. Ethical Use of AI

AI integration raised concerns about ethical use, particularly in academic writing. Faculty have begun implementing AI disclaimers, requiring students to clarify which tools were used in their work. However, the discussion revealed that not all students understood these disclaimers, showing a need for more transparent communication about AI usage policies.

AI's Future Potential in Higher Education

1. Service Learning and AI

Sager Gupta, another panelist, discussed how AI could be applied to service-learning programs. AI tools like "Scribe" and custom-built chatbots help manage workflows, such as tracking student hours or handling volunteer matching processes. By reducing the manual effort in administration, faculty and students can focus more on meaningful community engagement. 

      2. Creating AI-Powered Teaching Assistants

The conversation touched on future AI applications, such as AI-driven teaching assistants. These virtual assistants could handle basic student inquiries, freeing faculty to focus on complex tasks. There was also enthusiasm for AI to simulate professional environments, offering students interactive experiences in fields like translation, legal assistance, and service learning.

Challenges and Recommendations for AI Adoption

Despite AI's benefits, there are challenges:

• Clarity in AI Policies: Students often need more explicit guidance on using AI. A standardized AI literacy course was proposed to guide students on responsible AI use and ensure a consistent understanding of ethical issues.
• Technical Infrastructure: Adequate infrastructure is critical for fully realizing AI's potential in classrooms, especially with advanced tools like augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR). Educators must continue learning and innovating with AI tools to support teaching and learning effectively.

Conclusion: Building an AI-Enhanced Learning Environment

The panel concluded by calling for embracing AI, not as a replacement for traditional teaching methods but as a tool for enhancing education. Faculty and students must continue to adapt, experiment, and explore AI's potential to foster more dynamic, personalized learning experiences.

With continued innovation, AI will play a critical role in the future of higher education, providing new ways to engage students and enrich the academic environment.