This discovery session will introduce attendees to the potential for using artificial intelligence (AI) in online learning. Participants will be exposed to innovative platforms and specific methods that provide faculty and instructional designers the opportunity to incorporate aspects of AI into their coursework.
Artificial intelligence (AI) software provides a plethora of opportunities for faculty and instructional designers to engage with students in an online learning environment. AI has the potential to change the traditional roles of course instructors and to challenge the status quo of online coursework. Models and tools such as adaptive learning, AI teaching assistants, and chatbots are all beneficial to engaging with students promptly and efficiently in an online classroom. Additionally, AI-enabled learning management systems can utilize survey data to categorize students into specific learning categories, such as visual, auditory, or text, and then deploy personalized curriculum that meets the individual’s preferred learning style. AI tools can provide text translation, voice recognition, and text summarization for learners who may be studying in a non-native language or who may be in need of learning accommodations. Further, faculty and instructional designers can include this element into an online course design model in order for students to demonstrate their knowledge or experience with a specific concept. This presentation will specifically discuss methods for developing AI based curriculum in an online course, including the use of AI tools to answer student questions about course requirements. It is exciting to explore how AI learning tools will transform learning and online education in the next decade.
The session will begin with an introduction to the uses of artificial intelligence in higher education. Further, the session will provide the audience with several platforms and potential uses of AI in online and higher education coursework, including the development of an AI teaching assistant in an online course. The session will also present ideas for including AI components in an online learning assignment or instruction. Additionally, the viewers will be challenged to set one personal goal of including AI in an upcoming course being taught or developed.
This workshop is open for all institution types and learning levels. However, intermediate and advanced practitioners in higher education may benefit the most from the content of this session. Faculty members and instructional designers looking to incorporative innovative technology tools of the future will benefit from specific ideas and recommendations. Additionally, participants will engage in the material through examples of artificial intelligence in online coursework. Further, the workshop will conclude with a time for personal reflection of how artificial intelligence tools can be used in their own teaching or course design.
Learning outcomes of the workshop include:
- Session participants will gain an awareness of the potential uses and benefits of artificial intelligence in online learning.
- Session participants will be introduced to specific AI platforms, including IBM, Botisfy, Pandorabots, and other chatbot options.
- Session participants will be exposed to innovative instructional design potential with artificial intelligence.
- Session participants will be challenged to develop one personal goal for including AI into their own future coursework.