Episode 57

AI for Learner
Re-Engagement, Critical Thinking, and Curriculum Design in Higher Ed

Brief description of the episode

In this episode, Dr. Dax Parcells, Ed.D., Chair of Education, Psychology, and Sociology at Palm Beach State College, shares his experience integrating AI into higher education. He discusses the impact of Gen AI on teaching, academic integrity, and critical thinking while highlighting personalized learning and engagement. Dr. Parcells also explores the role of AI in curriculum design, the importance of faculty development, and how publishers and edtech can bridge gaps by embedding AI tools into their offerings to better support faculty and learners across disciplines.

Key Takeaways:

- Keep learners at the center of decision-making, using AI as a tool for dialogue, growth, and ethical understanding.
- Involve learners in co-creating knowledge and assignments, giving them autonomy to have a deeper engagement with course material.
- Encourage authentic, personal expression in student writing, promoting the use of AI for generating initial content while emphasizing critical application and modification.
- Use a gradual release method, starting with structured learning and progressing to exploratory activities that allow students to delve into their interests and apply concepts critically.
- Engage students in discussions to clarify misunderstandings about AI-generated content and faculty expectations.
- Embrace AI as a tool to accelerate learning, similar to calculators in math, focusing on its application in more complex tasks rather than shortcuts.
- Integrate technology in classroom settings, allowing multiple student projects to be displayed simultaneously.
- Creating “wow moments” is essential, where the physical learning environment engages students right from their first day.
- In synchronous online settings, AI can help replicate in-person engagement strategies, like using multimedia clips to spark discussions.
- AI can facilitate a more personalized learning experience by allowing students to interact with content in diverse ways.
- The focus should be on maintaining student attention and interest, recognizing that they may need frequent changes in engagement tactics.
- Asynchronous learning can still incorporate AI by generating videos and interactive materials that encourage student participation and collaboration.
- AI can assist in managing course logistics, allowing educators to focus more on facilitating discussions and less on direct instruction.
- AI can empower students to take control of their learning, enabling them to explore topics of interest while the educator guides the process.
- Publishers need to integrate AI content throughout educational materials, making it relevant across various disciplines beyond just computer science, to illustrate its applicability in different fields.
- Educational materials should include practical examples of AI applications, reducing the burden on faculty to create or source these examples themselves.
- Publishers should offer targeted professional development programs that equip faculty with a foundational understanding of AI and its applications in their specific disciplines.
- To enhance engagement, publishers should create interactive learning materials that encourage critical thinking, such as reflective prompts and deeper analysis assignments, rather than superficial tasks.
- Ongoing communication between educators and publishers is crucial to adapting materials effectively, ensuring they remain relevant and beneficial for both faculty and students.
- Timely updates and adaptations in educational materials in digital formats will help to keep content aligned with recent developments in AI and other fields.

AI for Learner Re-Engagement, Critical Thinking, and Curriculum Design in Higher Ed

Brief description of the episode

Key Takeaways:

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AI for Learner
Re-Engagement, Critical Thinking, and Curriculum Design in Higher Ed