0306 - FPL: Magna Publications: Facing the Future: Educators Discuss Teaching in the Era of ChatGPT

Course Description

Join three educators as they discuss teaching in the era of ChatGPT, and answer your questions about embracing this technology.

ChatGPT is a new application that allows anyone to chat with a seemingly all-knowing artificial intelligence (AI) agent that is far more capable than previous AI models. Much of the higher-ed discussion around this technology has focused on its possible misuse by students, and whether the technology should be blocked or otherwise prohibited.

In this Magna Online Seminar, join three educators as they discuss teaching in the era of ChatGPT, and answer your questions about embracing this technology:

• Teachers can use ChatGPT—and related emerging artificial intelligence tools—in several constructive ways.
• Jeremy Caplan will explain how to use AI for syllabus and lesson plan ideation, in developing exercises and activities that help foster engaged learning, and as a tool to help students strengthen their writing.
• Research tells us that students invest less effort in a learning activity or assessment and may be tempted to act dishonestly, when a) they don’t see the value of the task, b) they don’t care much about the material, and c) when they’re anxious about their ability to do well.
• We can address these challenges in our assignment design using emotion and motivation science. Based on this body of literature, Flower Darby will discuss how to minimize the temptation to “game the system” using AI by designing prompts that capture students’ attention and imagination, that are relevant to students’ daily lives and goals, and that foster confidence and integrity.
• How might ChatGPT and other AI tools change the way we approach our teaching?
• Liz Norell will place ChatGPT into broader context as a tool for learning, not a threat to learning. Given that ChatGPT now exists (and will only get better) in both educational and workplace settings, she will discuss how to help students become critical users of the technology—when it might be useful, when it’s less so, and how to know the difference. It’s important to distinguish that this is not a doomsday scenario for higher education; it’s an opportunity to innovate in our teaching and learning mission.

Learner Outcomes

• Identify applications for AI in syllabus, lesson plan, and course assignment creation
• Discuss AI as a tool to support student skill development
• Apply concepts from emotion and motivation science to preempt academic integrity issues
• Guide students in the critical use of technology