AI in Education

While there are mixed feelings about the use of AI in education, AI appears to be here to stay. Helping your students understand the potential of AI tools and what situations are appropriate to use them will help to prepare them for careers in a world where this understanding is fast becoming a necessity. Additionally, AI tools may be able to help you save time and effort by helping you develop your curriculum and teaching methods. The more we become skilled and comfortable using AI tools now, the more prepared we will be to continue to use them to their fullest potential as they continue to develop. Here are some areas where AI can assist you:

- - - - Curriculum Development
        
        Lesson Planning
        
        Creating assignment and discussion prompts
        
        Grading
        
        Interactive storytelling and gamification prompts
        
        Writing code
        
        Resolving accessibility issues
        
        Test Preparation / Study Guide Development
        
        Creating unique graphics and images
        
        Summarizing meeting notes
        
        Detecting plagiarism
        
        Analyzing data

Below are some examples of how you can interact with one of the FMC's recommended tools, ChatGPT 3.5. When reviewing the samples, take note of our prompt and analyze the AI's response. Keep in mind, the AI's output should always be considered as a starting point for your content. While it may generate a long, descriptive response, you should still make revisions for more personable and/or accurate content.

Sample 1: Discussion Posts

Faculty Prompt or Input

I'm a professor of Anthropology. My lesson this week was about the culture of foods in ancient Egypt. Can you help me craft a discussion post prompt for my students based on this topic?

ChatGPT Output

Certainly! Crafting a discussion post prompt on the culture of foods in ancient Egypt can encourage your students to think critically and engage with the material. Here's a suggestion:

Discussion Post Prompt: Exploring the Culinary Tapestry of Ancient Egypt

In our recent exploration of ancient Egyptian culture, we delved into the fascinating realm of food practices that shaped the daily lives of this civilization. Drawing upon the knowledge gained from our discussions and readings, consider the following aspects:

Nutritional Significance: Discuss the nutritional value of staple foods in ancient Egypt, such as bread, beer, and vegetables. How did the availability of certain food items contribute to the overall health of the population?
Culinary Rituals and Symbolism: Explore the symbolic significance of certain foods in religious ceremonies and everyday life. How did the ancient Egyptians incorporate food into their rituals, and what role did it play in expressing cultural and spiritual values?
Social Dynamics of Dining: Analyze the social aspects of dining in ancient Egypt. Who had access to particular types of food, and how did communal dining contribute to social cohesion? Were there any distinct social hierarchies associated with food consumption?
Impact of Geography: Consider the influence of the Nile River and the surrounding geography on the agricultural practices of ancient Egypt. How did the geographical features of the region contribute to the types of crops cultivated and the development of a distinct culinary culture?
Evolution of Culinary Techniques: Reflect on the culinary advancements of ancient Egyptians, such as baking techniques and beer production. How did these innovations reflect their understanding of science and technology during that time?

In your responses, draw connections between the culinary practices and broader aspects of ancient Egyptian society, such as religion, social structure, and environmental conditions. Additionally, feel free to incorporate insights from our readings and class discussions to support your arguments.

This prompt encourages students to think about the multifaceted role of food in ancient Egyptian culture, fostering a deeper understanding of the societal, cultural, and environmental factors that shaped their culinary practices.

Sample 2: Generating Assessment Questions

Faculty Prompt or Input

Read the following block of text:

"As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street."

Please provide 5 college-level exam questions based on understanding analysis of this passage.

ChatGPT Output

Certainly! Here are five college-level exam questions based on the understanding and analysis of the provided passage:

Character Dynamics: Describe the interaction between the various characters in the passage. How do the loafing men, guardsmen, and the scissors-grinder contribute to the escalating conflict, and what role does Holmes play in this situation?
Setting and Atmosphere: Analyze the role of the setting in the passage, specifically the avenue and Briony Lodge. How does the physical environment contribute to the tension and chaos described? Consider elements such as lighting, architecture, and the overall atmosphere created.
Character Motivations: Explore the motivations of the different characters in the scene. Why do the loafing men quarrel over opening the carriage door? What alliances and conflicts emerge, and how do they reflect the social dynamics of the time?
Holmes's Intervention: Discuss Sherlock Holmes's role in the passage. Why does he enter the fray, and what does his reaction reveal about his character? How does his attempt to protect the lady influence the events, and what consequences does it have for Holmes himself?
Symbolism and Imagery: Analyze the symbolism and imagery used in the passage. Consider elements such as the landau, the side-lights, and Irene Adler's figure against the lights of the hall. How do these details contribute to the overall themes and mood of the scene, and what deeper meanings might they convey?

Sample 3: Writing Emails

Faculty Prompt or Input

Help me craft an email to my students informing them that our final will take place on December 6th and will be a class presentation with a power point and spoken portion.

ChatGPT Output

Subject: Important Announcement: Final Presentation Details - December 6th

Dear [Class Name] Students,

I hope this message finds you well. As we approach the end of the semester, I want to provide you with important information regarding our final assessment.

Final Presentation Details:

Date: December 6th
Format: Class Presentation with PowerPoint and Spoken Portion

Presentation Guidelines:

Content: Your presentation should cover key concepts and topics discussed throughout the semester. Be sure to showcase your understanding and application of the material.
Duration: Each presentation should be approximately [insert time limit] minutes. Please practice and time yourself to ensure you stay within the allotted timeframe.
PowerPoint: Prepare a visually engaging PowerPoint to support your spoken portion. Ensure that it is clear, concise, and effectively communicates your main points.
Spoken Portion: Articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Aim to engage your classmates by encouraging questions and discussion.

Scheduling:

Please let me know your preferred presentation time by [insert deadline]. I will do my best to accommodate your preferences and create a schedule that ensures a smooth and organized presentation day.

Technical Considerations:

Make sure your audio and visual elements work seamlessly. Test your equipment in advance to avoid any technical issues on the day of the presentation.

Evaluation Criteria: Your final presentation will be assessed based on [insert relevant criteria, e.g., content, clarity, engagement, etc.]. I will provide detailed grading rubrics before the presentation day to guide your preparation.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the final presentation, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I am here to support you and ensure a successful conclusion to our semester.

I appreciate your dedication and hard work throughout the term. I am confident that your final presentations will reflect the knowledge and skills you have gained in this course.

Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Title] [Your Contact Information]

Successfully leveraging AI in these areas depends on the prompt used, the AI itself and exact output needed. We recommend playing with the recommended AI platforms described on the following pages for better understanding and use of the tools.

Return to Module Overview for this module's Table of Contents.