New and innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tools continue to emerge in the public domain, presenting both challenges and opportunities for education. This technological advancement has generated a sense of excitement not only in the academic community but also in other sectors.
While educators primarily focus on maintaining academic integrity, they recognize that the use of AI may not always align with this principle. Therefore, it is crucial to educate all individuals involved about the responsible and ethical use of AI. Even those who are experts in their fields but lack AI skills may initially perceive technology as intimidating. However, once they embrace it and incorporate it into their professional work, they will discover its numerous benefits.
The first step to understanding AI models is to experiment with AI tools. Individuals simply need to dive in and explore what these machines can do. For instance, when searching for information, alongside traditional methods like Googling, one can also ask ChatGPT or Gemini for their input. This approach serves as an excellent introduction to utilizing AI. In fact, in certain cases, these tools may prove more useful than traditional methods.
Employing AI tools to assess assignments can be highly beneficial. While some diligent students may attempt to manipulate prompts to make it harder for the tools to detect their usage, having at least one example of an AI response can provide valuable insights. It can reveal whether the assignment needs revision or if there are any flaws. By asking multiple questions to the AI tool, such as how students might leverage it for the assignment or if it aligns with the course objectives, educators can gain a broader perspective that may have been overlooked by the human mind.
It is important to note that AI tools cannot replace human educators. They cannot replicate the unique learning experience provided by a teacher. However, they can offer quick and efficient solutions for time-consuming tasks, such as analyzing data in lengthy texts and providing summaries.
To ensure the responsible use of AI, it is essential to have an AI use policy in place within the syllabus. Educators should familiarize themselves with the initial process and develop this policy as quickly as possible to uphold academic integrity.
Furthermore, learning about prompt engineering can greatly enhance the AI experience. By asking questions in a creative manner and refining them for better results, educators can guide the AI model to provide more specific answers and avoid generalizations. This approach also minimizes surprise reactions from users.
Artificial intelligence is an integral part of the future and will undoubtedly revolutionize the teaching methods that educators have relied on for decades. Its impact is expected to be far-reaching, surpassing the influence of technologies like email and search engines on educational practices.
