AI in Teaching and Learning
Overview
#ChatGPT
Our guess is that your inbox has been quite busy lately with pings related to ChatGPT. Any time a new technology gains prominence it impacts teaching and learning. ChatGPT (and generative artificial intelligence in general) is certainly no different, and we all have questions related to what now?
The Office of the Provost is collaborating with the Teaching and Learning Commons, the Office of Academic Integrity, and members of the University faculty in the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Taskforce* to explore the implications these emerging technologies may have for University policies, procedures, and practices.
While the taskforce does its work, we want to offer interim resources instructors can consult to educate themselves and think about the potential impact of these technologies. As the TLC continually promotes, good course design and course delivery practices can help alleviate concerns related to the (mis)use of any resource. For example, it’s best to make expectations explicitly clear to students and to vary the types of assessments utilized whenever possible. Likewise, asking students to reflect upon and apply new skills in unique/subjective ways can positively position tools (like ChatGPT) while helping students see more personal relevance in their learning. Keep in mind that skills like innovation, reflection, and critical thinking are not easily demonstrated using AI, but such technology advances can be leveraged to help in the learning process. Here are some specific resources related to generative AI that you may find useful:
- Our colleagues in Eberly had an informative panel discussion titled “ChatGPT
and Teaching” hosted by Scott Davidson, the Director for Programs in
Bachelor of Integrated Studies, Multidisciplinary Studies, and Regents
Bachelor of Arts.
Watch Panel Discussion Video - Similarly, the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning at Yale hosted a panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence and Teaching: A Community Conversation.” They have bundled that recording with some general guidance on AI.
- Educause released an eye-opening QuickPoll exploring how familiar educators were with generative AI and what the general sentiments on it were: EDUCAUSE QuickPoll Results: Did ChatGPT Write This Report?
Is artificial intelligence a good thing?
Well, according to ChatGPT:
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be a good thing, as it can bring about many benefits to society, such as:
- Efficiency and productivity: AI can automate repetitive and mundane tasks, allowing humans to focus on more creative and complex work.
- Improved decision making: AI can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns and insights that humans may miss, leading to more informed decision-making.
- Personalization: AI can personalize experiences for individuals, such as recommending products or services based on their preferences and behavior.
- Healthcare advancements: AI can help doctors and researchers diagnose diseases and develop new treatments.
However, AI also has the potential to bring about negative consequences if not developed and implemented responsibly. These include:
- Job displacement: AI may replace jobs that are currently performed by humans, leading to unemployment and economic disruption.
- Bias and discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate existing biases and discrimination if not designed and tested appropriately.
- Privacy and security concerns: AI can collect and analyze vast amounts of personal data, raising concerns about privacy and security.
- Autonomy and control: AI systems can make decisions and take actions without human intervention, raising questions about accountability and control.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a responsible and ethical manner to maximize its benefits while minimizing its risks.
WVU RESOURCES
Resources for your Course
Reach out to the Teaching and Learning Commons for an instructional design consultation.
Specific questions about academic integrity policies can be sent to Director Paul Heddings at the Office of Academic Integrity.
Learn more about the Office of Academic Integrity by watching the shorter TAKE 5 video (2m 29s) or the fall 2022 webinar (51m 49s).
Faculty Senate has approved a general AI syllabus statement and can be found on the TLC Syllabus Policies and Statements webpage.
Sample permissive and restrictive syllabus statements are available for use with your course.
Resources
SPOTLIGHT
WVU Art in the Libraries: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Your Education and Fields of Work: Seeking Your Input
The WVU community is invited to look at how artificial intelligence might impact fields of study, work, career readiness and community engagement. This exhibit will debut at the WVU Libraries in the fall of 2025 and become part of the Research Repository of WVU.
We would like to work with a variety of WVU classes, staff, and groups in the fall of 2023 and spring 2024 to develop the exhibit content. An activity template and resource guide that faculty, students or staff can use on their own or with our librarian's guidance to participate in the AI exhibit is available and includes:
- Assignment overview
- Assignment introduction (context for AI)
- Warm-up (considering Artificial intelligence definitions)
- Activities (ideas/guides on projects exploring AI in different industries, careers, everyday life)
- General resources on AI
- Topical resources (resourced broken into themes)
WVU students, faculty or staff can use this template or make their own inspired project. Please contact Sally Brown or Seth Newell with questions or requests for assistance.
The deadline to turn in materials for the exhibit will be May 31, 2024 and will be submitted to Sally Brown.
SPOTLIGHT
How AI could save (not destroy) education
Sal Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, thinks artificial intelligence could spark the greatest positive transformation education has ever seen. He shares the opportunities he sees for students and educators to collaborate with AI tools -- including the potential of a personal AI tutor for every student and an AI teaching assistant for every teacher -- and demos some exciting new features for their educational chatbot, Khanmigo.
Additional Resources
- TED: AI’s Limitless Potential, Empowering leaders to shape the future
- Are Your Students Ready for AI?
- 4 ways that AI can help students
- Good morning. A.I. does not have to be perfect or have human-level intelligence to be useful.
- In Sudden Alarm, Tech Doyens Call for a Pause on ChatGPT
- 5 Things To Know About ChatGPT
- ChatGPT and Online Teaching and Learning
- Sam Altman unveils the hotly anticipated GPT-4, an AI model he says 'can pass a bar exam and score a 5 on several AP exams'
- 'An inflection point rather than a crisis': ChatGPT's implications for higher ed
- ChatGPT and Education
- Will ChatGPT Ruin or Improve Higher Education?
- Chat GPT and Good Intentions in Higher Ed
- Sneak preview of Turnitin’s AI writing and ChatGPT detection capability
- WVU launches ChatGPT task force amid concerns over AI-assisted cheating
We will be updating this space on Fridays with additional resources, information, and points to ponder as we curate from across the teaching and learning community.
Page Notes
* The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force will investigate the implications of the ongoing development of generative AI on the academic activity of the university. The task force will update the university Academic Integrity policy to include the unethical use of generative AI and create guidelines for students on the proper use of current and future AI capabilities. It will research methods for detecting AI authorship and develop best practices in framing assessments to encourage proper use. The task force will also curate guidance for instructors on how to integrate artificial intelligence tools into their teaching and research and encourage ethical use of its capabilities.