The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 and inevitable proliferation of generative AI tools has sent many in the education community buzzing in recent months. While there is still much to learn about ChatGPT and similar tools, this week’s teaching tips focus on a few implications for course design and student learning in addition to resources for those looking to learn more about generative AI.
Getting Started. If you haven’t already, we recommend taking time to demystify ChatGPT by engaging with the platform on your own and having a conversation with your students to understand how they might be using the tool. The Early Scoop on AI Tools like ChatGPT by Academic Technology Specialist, Anita Warfford, is a great resource to get an overview of the capabilities and limitations of these tools. In addition, here are a few tips to initially address the questions and challenges brought on by generative AI:
- Begin with sound course design. Having a well-designed course that aligns all assignments and assessments with the learning objectives through the backward design process can go a long way in articulating the meaning and purpose behind a given requirement and promoting academic integrity. Applying the TILT (Transparency in Teaching and Learning) framework also helps to open up a conversation with students by explicitly stating the skills and knowledge they will acquire in a given activity or assignment.
- Design assessments that scaffold learning and require students to show their work at various points over the term as suggested by UMich’s CRLT. Our on-demand teaching guide provides tips on scaffolding students in the pursuit of ethical, scholarly work throughout the semester.
- Create opportunities for authentic assessment so that students are able to apply their knowledge in a manner that simulates a real-world situation.
If you’d like to discuss any of these approaches for your course(s), please reach out to us at utlc@uncg.edu or request a consultation. We will also address this topic at the Adapt conference during the session, “Getting to Know ChatGPT: An Introduction to Innovative Teaching Using AI Text Generators” by NC State University’s Dr. Sarah Egan Warren, so be sure to register for the conference!
Learn more. While new resources addressing ChatGPT are being generated each day, here are a few that we would like to recommend:
- Generative AI Will continue to Accelerate in 2023: Are You Ready? From Forbes
- Will ChatGPT Change the Way You Teach? from The Chronicle of Higher Education
- ChatGPT Answers Some Burning Questions About AI In Higher Ed from Duke University
- What You Can Learn From Students About ChatGPT from The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Three Classroom Strategies for ChatGPT from NC State University
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Assessments and Feedback; Technology