Learning Experiences with AI

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I began learning about generative AI this past spring and since I was working with Rumie at the time I proposed making a microlearning course on generative AI.  It was approved and I had a lot of fun creating the course which you can view here:  Why is ChatGPT so popular?  Learn about generative AI and how people use it.  For an example of what generative AI is, I had ChatGPT create a poem about popsicles in the style of Jay-Z and then used Uberduck an audio AI program to generate an audio version of the poem in the voice of Jay-Z. 

It has now been a year since ChatGPT came out and it is phenomenal to watch how generative AI is evolving and improving.  I have been fascinated with its implications in the educational landscape.  How will generative AI be used to personalize and differentiate learning?  What policies will education systems come up with to use generative AI?  How will assessments and learning experiences need to change now that students can easily access generative AI to create content?  How do we amplify the benefits of AI while minimizing the risks in education?  These questions have been forefront in my mind as I think about how to create Computer Science curriculum around AI.  I watched a webinar this past summer entitled, Leveling up Digital Citizenship Skills with AI and it got me thinking about how  we will have to teach students about AI in terms of responsible use and digital citizenship.  The idea that students can get answers to homework or get ChatGPT to write an essay is understandably troubling for educators.  The capabilities of generative AI are far more sophisticated than the era of being able to use google for an answer or essay and unfortunately for some adolescents the question is often not should I do it, but how do I not get caught at it.  Teachers concern around this is absolutely legitimate.   One worry I have is that it will make the work of teaching foundational  skills like writing, math and even critical thinking increasingly challenging if educational systems don't get a handle on mitigating the risks with the easy access to ChatGPT by students.  The way we need to engage and teach students is going to fundamentally change.  The world of generative AI is truly going to demand we rethink education.  The potential of AI to help not only students, but teachers do their work more efficiently is exciting and yet there is also so much to grapple with in regards to this innovation.

I have also spent the last few weeks trying to really get a handle on the impacts of generative AI and how to best craft AI prompts and to really think about how it's potential for use in education.  I found some really excellent free courses on Coursera through Vanderbilt University taught by Jules White as well as one by Google called "Introduction to Generative AI". The Google Course is a short 30 minute course that uses really clear graphics to highlight what is going on behind the scenes with generative AI.  I completed two of White's courses called "Innovative Teaching with ChatGPT" and "Generative AI Primer".  I highly recommend them for anyone interested in understanding how we need to think about using generative AI to amplify human creativity and problem-solving as well as how to engage ChatGPT through prompts to make the most out of it in teaching and other areas of our lives.  I have also starting another course by White called "Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT" that I'm really excited about.  The courses are lecture style, but White pulls up ChatGPT frequently and shows his process for writing prompts and how ChatGPT responds.  One innovative feature of Coursera is that transcript notes can be found underneath the videos and you can highlight text to save as notes, but the really cool thing is that it not only saves the transcript notes, but also saves the video clip. 

I find it incredibly interesting and exciting to explore the challenges and innovations that generative AI brings to education.  It has reinvigorated my passion for computer science education and digital citizenship and I hope I can find a role to be part of this reimagining. of the educational landscape.