Empowering Faculty: Harnessing the Potential of Generative AI in Higher Education
Discover the power of Generative AI in education. Join our workshop to learn practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching. Enhance the educational experience for both educators and students.
Agenda and Icebreaker
Agenda
- Welcome and Introduction
- Understanding Generative AI
- Exploring Practical Applications
- Hands-On Activities
- Real-World Examples and Best Practices
- Q&A and Discussion
- Conclusion
Understanding Generative AI
What is Generative AI?
Generative AI is a branch of AI that autonomously creates new content, like images, text, or audio.
It mimics human creativity and ingenuity, generating diverse outputs by learning patterns from vast datasets.
Examples include GPT for text generation and GANs for image generation.
Generative AI has immense potential in art, design, storytelling, and education.
Impact on Education
Enhanced Content Creation
Improved Student Engagement
Streamlined Assessment
Facilitated Research
Personalized Learning
Planning for the Future
AI Tools for Educators
Generative AI Platforms
These tools are used to generate ideas, develop text, and provide answers through a text-based platform.
AI Image Generation
These tools are used to generate pictures or images from text input, allowing for creative output.
- Adobe Firefly (With subscription)
Why Use Generative AI?
1
Enhanced Teaching Practices
- Content Creation
- Personalize Content for Diverse Learners
- Scaffold Learning through Feedback
- Extend Content for Learners
- Enhance Accessibility
2
Streamlined Administrative Tasks
- Draft Communication
- Generate Insights from Data
- Compile Meeting Minutes
- Offer Recommendations
3
Image Creation
- Illustrate Concepts
- Showcase Creativity
- Create Data Visualization
- Develop Collaborative Images
Prompt Toolkit
1
Specific
Clearly define what you want the AI to do. Use precise language and provide enough context to guide the AI's response accurately.
2
Balance
Include key details to shape the response, but avoid overloading the prompt. Leave room for AI's creativity and adaptability.
3
Sequence
Organize your prompt logically. Start with the main objective, followed by specific instructions or questions. This structure helps the AI understand and prioritize tasks effectively.
4
Iterate and Refine
Treat your first prompt as a starting point. Based on the AI's response, refine your prompt to hone in on your desired outcome. Iteration is key to mastering prompt engineering.
Understanding Prompt Frameworks
1
R-T-F
Act as [Role}
Create a [Task]
Show as [Format}
2
T-A-G
Define [Task]
State the [Action]
Clarify [Goal]
3
B-A-B
Explain Problem [Before]
State Outcome [After]
Ask for the [Bridge]
4
C-A-R-E
Give the [Context]
Describe [Action]
Clarify [Result]
Give the [Example]
5
R-I-S-E
Specify the [Role]
Describe [Input]
Ask for [Steps]
Describe the [Expectation]
Modes, Key Use Cases, Tones, Format
Modes
- Intern: "Come up with new fundraising ideas"
- Thought Partner: "What should we think about when generating new fundraising ideas?"
- Critic: "Here's a list of 10 fundraising ideas I created. Are there any I missed? Which ones seem particularly good bad?"
- Teacher: Teach me about [x]. Assume I know [X] and adjust your language."
Key Use Cases
Summarizing longtext, transcripts, articles, reports
Brainstorming ideas, outlines, new concepts
Synthesizing insights and takeaways from text
Writing blog posts, articles, press releases, standard operating procedures, pretty much any type of text
Coding scripts and small programs
Extracting data and patterns from messy text
Reformatting text/data from messy text to tables/structure
Tones
Tone: [X]
Write using a [x] tone
Conversational
Lighthearted
Persuasive
Spartan
Formal
Firm
Format
Be concise. Minimize excess prose.
Use less jargon
Output as bullet points in short sentences
Output as table with columns: [X], [Y], [Z], [A]
Be extremely detailed.
Prompt Engineering Best Practices
1
Language Clarity
Craft prompts with clear, precise language to prevent misinterpretation by AI models.
2
Context Inclusion
Understand the importance of including contextual cues in prompts to enhance AI understanding.
3
Feedback Loop
Learn the significance of the prompt-response feedback loop in refining AI interactions.
Lesson Plan Design Challenge
1
Scenario
You are teaching a soft skill relevant to your discipline in your course (ex. effective communication). However, you need to quickly develop and differentiate this lesson for various students. You turn to AI to assist you.
2
Prompt
Develop a prompt that can help you create a lesson on your chosen soft skill utilizing generative AI.
Enter your prompt into your generative AI of choice.
3
Results
Share your results.
My Results
Tool: Copilot
Prompt: Act as an expert in communication instruction. Develop a 45 minute lesson plan for students in a biology course to assist them in preparing for an upcoming presentation. Please include lesson objectives using Bloom's Taxonomy, an outline of the lesson, and practical applications for the students to complete in the lesson to prepare for their presentations.
Results:
Lesson objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Lesson objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Explain the importance and purpose of effective communication in biology
- Apply the principles of creating a single message unit, stating the message explicitly, and using word tables, simple diagrams, and annotations for each slide
- Design and deliver a 10-15 minute scientific presentation on a biology topic of their choice, using PowerPoint slides and oral communication skills
- Evaluate their own and their peers’ presentations, using a rubric and feedback form
- Lesson outline:
- Introduction (5 minutes):
- Activate prior knowledge by asking students to share their experiences and challenges with giving presentations in biology
- Motivate students by explaining the relevance and benefits of effective communication skills for biology, such as conveying scientific information, engaging the audience, and advancing their careers
- Preview the lesson objectives and agenda
- Presentation skills (15 minutes):
- Introduce the concept of generative AI and how it can help with creating presentation slides
- Show a video that explains how to create an introduction for a scientific presentation, using the CCQH pattern (context, complication, question, hypothesis)
- Show another video that explains how to create the body of a scientific presentation, using the design/methods, data/results, and conclusions sections
- Show a third video that explains how to design PowerPoint slides for a scientific presentation, using the principles of creating a single message unit, stating the message explicitly, and using word tables, simple diagrams, and annotations
- Check for understanding by asking students to summarize the main points and ask questions
- Presentation practice (20 minutes):
- Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign them a biology topic of their choice or from a list of options
- Instruct students to use a generative AI tool to help them generate presentation slides on their topic, following the guidelines from the videos
- Instruct students to practice delivering their presentation to their peers, using oral communication skills such as voice, eye contact, and body language
- Instruct students to use a rubric and feedback form to evaluate their own and their peers’ presentations, focusing on the content, design, and delivery of the slides
- Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Review the lesson objectives and main takeaways
- Invite students to share their reflections and feedback on the lesson and the generative AI tool
- Provide additional resources and opportunities for students to learn more about communication skills and generative AI for biology
- Practical applications:
- Students will apply their communication skills and generative AI knowledge to create and deliver a scientific presentation on a biology topic of their choice
- Students will practice and improve their presentation skills by giving and receiving feedback from their peers
- Students will develop their critical thinking and creativity skills by using generative AI to generate presentation slides
- Students will enhance their understanding of biology concepts and research by presenting and listening to different topics
Best Practices
1
Discuss AI
Have frank discussions with students about the potential uses and limitations of AI technologies.
2
Set Policies
Write and make available your classroom policy regarding the use of AI tools.
3
Prohibition and Alternatives
If you have a prohibition on using AI-based technologies, make your reasoning clear and provide alternative approaches.
4
Introduce Generative AI
Introduce the concept of generative AI and how it can help as a tool for students and other faculty.
5
Key Principles
Learners in all disciplines must be prepared to use AI proficiently, safely, and ethically, and must understand the basic concepts of computer systems and programming, machine learning, and data science.
Reflection
- How has your perception of AI's role in education evolved during the workshop, and what key insights have you gained?
- Reflect on the most significant opportunities and challenges discussed regarding integrating AI into education. How might these impact your teaching practice or educational institution?
- Consider the workshop discussions on digital equity, access, and ethical considerations in AI integration. What actions or strategies can you implement to promote inclusivity and ethical AI use in your teaching context?
Questions?
Wesley Kinsey
Director of Online Programs and Learning Support
akinsey@germanna.edu
akinsey@germanna.edu
Page Durham
Senior Instructional Designer
pdurham@germanna.edu
pdurham@germanna.edu