- The Broader Conversation. Discuss the larger, nuanced narrative around GenAI (ethical, legal, etc.) to help students develop critical literacies around GenAI tools. A nice tool for these conversations is Elon's recently released Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence.
- Rationale. Convey a clear and transparent rationale for student use of GenAI for learning. You can find CELT examples for policy statements and tips for writing your own here.
- How-To Guides. Provide necessary resources and support for equitable AI for all students. Our strategies for engaging with AI below can be helpful in coaching students on how to engage with AI. If you are looking for specific suggestions on how to cultivate moments for engaging meaningfully with ai or, conversely, help students avoid misuse for specific types of assignments, see this guide from the University of Waterloo.
- Scaffolding. Offer opportunities for developing a variety of GenAI skills (i.e., prompting design, pushback, and critical reading of outputs). Demonstrating these skills in class and having students work together makes space for learning about how to engage with AI.
- Contextualization. Connect the abilities AI presents with students’ future goals. Use AI in your course only where it makes sense to do so - rather than using technology for technology's sake. Also help students identify where GenAI does and doesn't possess abilities that are helpful in particular disciplines.
- Reflection. Make space for students to reflect and discuss their experiences with AI and their reactions. AI outputs are not infallible. Allow students to discuss where the outputs are useful and where they need pushback so they can learn from each other and reflect together.
- Engagement Strategies. Work with students to develop strategies for remaining conversant with rapidly technology. These tools keep changing. Remind students that the unreliability and shifting nature of these tools is another reason why they will want to develop critical literacies around AI.
Using AI for Teaching and Learning
A Framework for Student Engagement with AI when asking student to use AI, we recommend providing
How to Engage with Generative AI Strategies for prompting and pushing back
- Provide a persona: who or what the GenAI is, what its expertise is, what its goals are, how it interacts with the user, etc.
- Explain the situational context: the who, what, where, when, why, how, etc. What is at stake for whom?
- Define the criteria for optimal output: what would it look like for the GenAI to behave effectively for the situation at hand?
- Control for behavior: establish rules for what the GenAI is to do and not to do, e.g., wait for the user to respond before proceeding, do not provide direct answers but instead provide leading questions, keep the response within X length, and so on.
- Break it up: Break the tasks into individual steps (they can be numbered) and insist that the GenAI complete each step before moving on to the next.
- Provide examples: Refer the GenAI to important or useful resources, models, examples, or templates either by reference (e.g., “use X’s framework for Y”) or by directly uploading files, or by copying and pasting directly into the chat interface.
- Engage: Dialogue with the GenAI. Don’t hesitate to correct it, ask it to make adjustments, take it in a different direction, critique its output, ask it to revise etc.
When in doubt, ask the GenAI to recommend prompts! Or look at other people’s prompts!