AECT 2024 Presentation

Conference Presentation
AECT 2024
Author

Wei Wang

Published

October 20, 2024

Overview

This session, presented at AECT 2024, explores the practical integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)—such as ChatGPT and Bing Chat—into faculty development programs for designing effective and innovative assessments and learning activities, especially in asynchronous online courses.

Key Points

  • 🚀 GenAI’s Rise in Education

    Tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard are reshaping higher education, offering human-like content generation but also raising pedagogical concerns.

  • 🧠 Educational Design Transformation

    At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), GenAI has been embedded into the CAS Online Course Design program to support faculty in designing evidence-based learning activities.

  • 🛠️ Practical Application Demonstrated

    Educators input learning outcomes into GenAI tools to generate customized assessments and activities. For example:

    • Learning Outcome: Distinguish differences between federal and state court systems.
    • Assessment: Comparative analysis essay.
    • Activity: Create interactive infographics or mind maps.

  • 💬 Faculty Feedback

    Faculty found GenAI suggestions helpful but emphasized the need to adapt activities to the course format (e.g., avoiding live interviews in asynchronous settings).

  • 📊 Sentiment Analysis

    Participant reflections were analyzed using the Bing Sentiment Lexicon, revealing a generally positive attitude toward GenAI as a supplementary tool.

Design Process (Quick Guide)

  1. Select a GenAI tool (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, etc.).

  2. Use a prompt like:

    "What are some assessments and learning activities for a college-level asynchronous course that align with the following learning outcomes: [insert outcomes]?"

  3. Review and critically reflect on the generated suggestions.

  4. Select and adapt ideas suitable for your course structure and learning goals.

Outcomes

  • 🔄 Encouraged iterative design of assessments with GenAI as inspiration.
  • 👥 Fostered collaboration and experience-sharing among faculty.
  • 🎯 Supported alignment between learning outcomes and activities in online settings.

Call to Action -Your Story Matters!!!

Educators are encouraged to:

  • Explore GenAI tools in their teaching design.
  • Reflect critically on AI-generated suggestions.
  • Share strategies and experiences within their academic communities.

This presentation was part of the Works in Progress & Design in Practice session at AECT 2024.

For more info, contact Wei Wang