Romi Carrell Wittman

I recently found myself in an unexpected position: creating reading quizzes for my “Managing Highly Effective Work Teams” class without writing a single question.

You may be asking yourself ‘How could you create a multiple-choice quiz without, you know, writing the questions?’

The answer is simple. I used AI.

AI continues to improve and, I have to say, it’s scary good – if you input the right prompts. The old adage ‘garbage in-garbage out’ certainly applies to AI. Coming up with the right prompts takes time and critical thinking, not to mention actively reviewing for accuracy, tone, and word usage.

You’ve probably noticed that the world is collectively clutching its pearls over the advent of AI. (I mean, we’ve all seen Terminator.)

Higher education is clutching its pearls even more tightly than the rest of the world. Many instructors cry ‘cheating’ or ‘plagiarism’ when they hear that AI was a tool in the student’s assignment toolbox. These are the faculty most likely to forbid AI in their classes; but does this hard view serve students?

My job as an Associate Professor is to prepare students for the ‘real world,’ specifically setting them up for success in future corporate jobs. Given that AI is transforming how we each approach work, if I ban AI in my class, am I truly serving the needs of my students? If we pretend AI isn’t a part of life, am I really preparing them?

This limited view also ignores the fact that AI is here to stay and it will only become more a part of daily life. In my view, AI can and should be used when you’re faced with rote work … like coming up with quiz questions.

I’ve adopted an open policy toward AI in my classes with one big caveat. I require students to cite the areas where they have used AI. This is pretty much the same policy I have for research – you must cite your sources! All of them. In APA format, but I digress.

For assignments, it can serve as a starting point by providing brainstorming points. Once you find the path you want to take, you should take over. Remember: AI can only go so far. You must add your thoughts and critical thinking to create the best product.

As AI evolves, I believe it can be adapted to create a better learning experience for students.  

AI can be used to develop educational games, which have been proven time and again to better engage students and help them retain information. Remember the Oregon Trail game? I bet you still remember that experience.  

These are just a couple of ways AI can be used for good. As AI matures, these opportunities will only expand.

AI could also be used to create chatbots for student support. Many of the questions I answer early in the semester have to do with what I call ‘housekeeping.’ A chatbot with 24/7 availability could easily handle this task and it could provide an answer immediately versus the student having to wait for a reply.

Rather than simply closing our eyes and pretending AI is not a tool students use, we can teach students how to use this amazing tool without sacrificing their learning.

For me, it means I no longer dread coming up with quiz questions and I look forward to what it will offer in the very near future.