The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become common on college campuses, but studies show professors are slower than students to learn about this technology. While 51% of students say AI has helped them get better grades, only 14% of professors feel confident using AI when teaching. Many educators have had knee-jerk reactions to AI, banning its use as a form of plagiarism and cheating. However, there is a place for AI in the classroom if you want to use these tools rather than reject them.
AI-based tools can help you change your lesson plans while better preparing students to succeed after graduation. Here’s how other professors are introducing AI to university classrooms and a few ways to embrace AI, even if you aren’t comfortable using this technology.
AI marks the transition from rote memorization to comprehension
One of the most significant tools that have arrived on college campuses is Generative AI (also often written as GenAI), which creates images, writes essays, and provides answers using existing information across the web. With GenAI, students can ask a tool like ChatGPT to write a research paper in a matter of minutes, with several thoughts clearly defined.
Many schools view GenAI as a form of cheating – and rightly so. Students are asking a bot to do their work for them and stealing the ideas of others without crediting them, which is plagiarism. However, the use of GenAI has also led to greater discussions about the nature of class assignments and whether or not students should be given work that a robot could easily do.
“We need to provide better rationales to our students for the value of our courses’ learning objectives with explanations of how using GenAI could support or detract from achieving those objectives,” Paul Shovlin, assistant professor of English at Ohio University.
Consider the lessons learned in a college-level history course. It’s less important for students to walk away knowing the exact dates surrounding WWII and more important for them to understand the factors that created fascist regimes and how various events led to the Cold War in the years following. Big-picture comprehension and applicable understanding will be more valuable to students than any basic paragraphs an AI tool can generate.
As a professor, you may incorporate AI into some aspects of the class, but then opt for more discussion-based learning and even graded Socratic seminars so students can prove a deeper understanding of the concepts without the use of AI-based tools.
AI can help professors develop personalized instruction
AI tools can support students who need extra help in specific areas. Every student is unique, with their own experiences and knowledge gaps. While one student might be an expert in certain areas, they could need extra help in others. Custom study guides created by AI to tailor to each student’s weaknesses can help students better review material. If there are still knowledge gaps, they can come to you.
These tools are also valuable on the back end. You can review what areas students struggle with and adjust your lectures or lessons to focus on these difficult concepts. This can make your class time more valuable. The goal of bringing AI to the classroom isn’t to replace instructors or fully digital lessons. Instead, it is to help professors better meet the needs of students and help them further learn the material.
Professors can teach students to use AI strategically
Banning AI in the classroom is a disservice to students. Students will use it anyway and need to be familiar with these tools when they enter the workforce. Deloitte found that 61% of employees who work with computers already use Generative AI to complete tasks. Employees already in the workforce can explore GenAI tools and grow their skills while on the job, but future applicants will be expected to already know how these apps and programs work.
Professors can teach their students to be savvy with AI and get the most from these tools. The right lesson plans can showcase AI for what it is – a valuable asset but not a replacement for critical thinking, problem-solving, and other essential human skills.
AI can streamline administrative tasks, creating time for teaching
While the focus of AI tends to be on students, faculty can also benefit from these tools. Digital apps can make grading easier, freeing up time for professors to meet with students and review difficult concepts. AI can also be used to detect AI, allowing you to identify which students continue to cheat on their assignments. Some professors can even use AI to develop assignments and discussion questions, creating a foundation they can hone to maximize the value they provide to students in their lectures.
Saving time is essential for helping faculty do their best work. One study of more than 1,000 university staff found 61% feel burned out because of work. Additionally, 58% of respondents said their job has taken a toll on their mental health.
Consider how much time you spend each week instructing, helping, and managing your classes. If AI frees up more time, you can reduce your symptoms of burnout and feel less overwhelmed. Alternatively, you can reinvest that time saved by eliminating administrative tasks into helping students. This could make your work more meaningful and, therefore more rewarding.
Explore More Education Technology for the Classroom
You don’t have to revolutionize your classroom to embrace AI completely. Your next steps could be as simple as changing one of your lesson plans or introducing a new activity. You can test out different tools to find the ones you like while rejecting the ones you don’t. One of the main benefits of teaching at the college level is that you have more say in how you run your classroom.
One tool you can try if you want to add more active participation and engagement that promotes discussion is Poll Everywhere. This is a great app for remote, hybrid, or in-person classrooms. Poll Everywhere was developed for higher education with tools to meet your needs. Sign up today!
