Engagement with Generative AI (GenAI)

Context and purpose: Integrating AI into Teaching Practice

GenAI tools offer new opportunities to enhance teaching and learning in and out of the classroom. These tools can support instructor preparation by streamlining lessons and learning activity planning when thoughtfully integrated. They can also improve student engagement while promoting responsible and ethical use, ensuring that AI supports student learning rather than replacing critical thinking, skill development, and knowledge acquisition. This resource guides instructors in exploring key questions and practical ways to incorporate GenAI into their teaching practice. It highlights ways to leverage tools like Google’s Gemini App for synchronous and asynchronous learning activities and assessment tasks.

Strategies: Planning AI Integration and Engagement

Learning Design

How do your learning outcomes align with GenAI integration?

What AI skills will students develop?

How will students exercise agency and demonstrate responsible use?

Expectations: Policy and Resources

What academic integrity guidelines must students understand?

Where can students find supports and clarity?

What resources are available?

Learning Context(s)

What are your students' learning needs?

How does your discipline shape AI use?

Which activities best suit responsible AI use? 
 

AI Tools: Benefits and Challenges

What can GenAI do well?

What are its limitations?

How will you handle challenges?

Synchronous Learning Activities 

1. GenAI as team teacher (co-facilitator)
  • Use Gemini (or an appropriate AI tool) to provide alternative explanations or examples during class.
  • Model critical evaluation and validation of AI outputs with students
  • Generate and share discussion prompts in response to emerging classroom needs and questions 

Plan: When using AI during class, always test potential prompts beforehand. Have backup plans and prompts ready. Consider technical limitations and student access issues that might arise.

2. Interactive breakout activities 
  • Ask small groups to discuss and challenge AI responses linked to course concepts.
  • Compare and contrast AI-generated perspectives with student insights.
  • Use AI responses as starting points for deeper discussion and study.

Asynchronous Opportunities

1. Preparation and planning
  • Generate varied examples for course materials and activities.
  • Create supplementary resources that support self-paced learning.
  • Draft and refine lesson plans with AI input.
2. Student activities and supports
  • Provide students with feedback-oriented prompts to create feedback frameworks that support student learning.
  • Create formative opportunities for students to engage responsibly with AI.
  • Encourage process-use documentation that emphasizes responsible use and involves critical self-reflection.

Remember the Digital Divide: Always be prepared to provide alternatives for students who cannot or choose not to use GenAI tools. When selecting tools, consider privacy implications and data security. Note that the Gemini app is a core Google Workspace service supported by Information Services and Technology (IST) and is, therefore, included in and protected by the University of Alberta’s agreement with Google. Learn more on the getting started with the Gemini website. 

Learning journey: Implementation questions

Consider these questions as you consider integrating GenAI into your teaching: 

  1. How might you introduce and situate AI tools to ensure all students understand their appropriate use?
  2. What specific course activities or assessments could benefit most from AI integration?
  3. How do you plan to assess the effectiveness of AI-integrated learning opportunities?
  4. What backup plans and alternative assessment strategies do you need to implement?

Learn more: Additional resources

Internal Resources

External Resources

  • Teaching with AI (José Antonio Bowen & C. Edward Watson) Available through the U of A Library (in ebook and audiobook versions)
  • One Useful Thing (Ethan Mollick) - Resource/Prompt Library for instructors. Assist preparing and generating activity/assessment ideas