Written by

Corey Gill

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

"AI is not taking our jobs; it’s transforming them. As educators, it’s our responsibility to transform education to align."

By now you know that Generative AI is here, and no, it’s not waiting for permission. It’s in our emails, our grading tools, our students’ essays, and often our own lesson planning process (whether we admit it or not).

But have you stopped to think what it means to our students? Their future careers, workplaces, and even their casual conversations.

But here’s the thing: AI isn’t just showing up. It’s learning. It is acting on our behalf. But it doesn’t always know how to be like us!

AI Can Do the Work, But It Doesn’t Know the Why

AI can produce. It can respond. It can even adapt.

But unlike us, it doesn’t understand purpose. It doesn’t have values, beliefs, or lived experiences to draw from. It doesn’t know what matters unless we tell it.

That’s where authenticity comes in.

Authenticity is more than being “real.” It’s being intentional. It’s about knowing what we stand for, what we want to communicate, and why we’re doing what we’re doing. When we act authentically, we move with purpose—not just efficiency.

And when it comes to teaching students about AI, that’s what we need to pass on.

Why This Matters in the Classroom

Incorporating AI into education isn’t about chasing trends or replacing human effort—it’s about enhancing learning with tools that reflect real-world expectations.

At Durham College, we’ve seen that when students engage with AI intentionally, outcomes improve:

• Final grades increase
• Failure rates drop
• Engagement in assignments and classroom discussions rises

But here’s the catch: students need our help to do it well. Without guidance, they tend to focus on what AI can do, not whether it should. That’s where we step in—not as gatekeepers, but as mentors who model authentic engagement.

Teaching Students to Engage with AI Authentically

So, what does it look like to embed authenticity and intentionality into your course?

It starts with you!

Before we can expect our students to use AI responsibly, we need to understand it ourselves. That means:

• Educate yourself: Stay curious. Read, attend workshops, test tools. Learn not just how AI works, but what it means in your field; understand its risks, ethical implications, and possibilities.
• Use AI personally: Explore how AI can support your own work; lesson planning, feedback enhancement, research summaries. The more you use it, the more authentic your conversations with students will be.
• Explore AI in your discipline: Each field has its own ethical considerations. What does responsible use look like in business? In nursing? In engineering? In creative fields? Knowing this lets you model and teach ethical standards relevant to your program.
• Integrate AI into your assignments and classroom: Don’t treat AI as a side conversation. Bring it into your curriculum. Let students show you how they’re using it; and reflect together on when it’s helpful, when it’s not, and why.

Then, build in intentionality by embedding the following practices:

• Start conversations early: Ask students what they think AI is for and how they’ve used it already. Surface assumptions and set a foundation for intentional use.
• Model responsible use: Be transparent. Let students know when and how you use AI in your teaching, and why. It builds trust and models ethical behavior.
• Make reflection part of the process: Assign tasks where students critique AI’s output, compare it to their own thinking, or revise it to align with their voice. Let them explore how and why they used it.
• Teach prompt literacy: Good AI use starts with good inputs. Help students understand how thoughtful, clear, and values-driven prompts create more meaningful results.
• Highlight impact: Ask students to consider not just what AI produces, but what it could influence. “What could this output lead to in the real world?” is just as important as “Did this answer the question?”

The goal isn’t to discourage AI use, it’s to elevate it.

Just like research, writing, or public speaking, AI literacy is a skill. It needs practice, feedback, and purpose. When we embed these habits into our teaching, we prepare students not only to use AI, but to lead with it.

Not sure where to start, reach out to me or the CTL and we can help!

Written by

Corey Gill

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

If you haven't already, please read Part One and Part Two.

Navigating the New Frontier

The promise of Generative AI is boundless, offering transformative possibilities that can redefine the educational paradigm. However, the true measure of progress lies not only in the technological leaps achieved but the ethical integrity with which we as educators implement these advancements. Consider:

• Transparency: We must maintain transparency in how AI systems are developed and used, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the mechanisms and intentions behind AI-driven initiatives.
• Accountability: It is crucial to establish clear guidelines and accountability for the outcomes of AI interactions, ensuring that ethical considerations are not an afterthought but a foundational aspect of AI integration.
• Inclusivity: We must be vigilant in creating AI systems that do not exclude or marginalize but rather embrace the diversity of our student body, reflecting the values of equity and fairness.

As we stand on the brink of a new educational frontier, it is our collective duty to ensure that the integration of Generative AI is conducted with a deep sense of responsibility towards the ethical implications of such technology.

Ethical Considerations for Integration

• Data Privacy: With the right AI tools at their disposal, students are enabled to immerse themselves fully in their educational journey, fostering a strong sense of independence and self-confidence.
• Academic Integrity: To safeguard the integrity of education, it’s essential to implement measures that prevent the misuse of AI, such as plagiarism, and to encourage its ethical application, fostering a culture of academic honesty and responsibility.
• Bias Mitigation: Reviews of our AI usage is crucial to identify and eliminate any biases, thereby maintaining the principles of fairness and objectivity within these advanced technological frameworks.

A Collaborative Effort

The seamless incorporation of Generative AI into the educational ecosystem necessitates a concerted effort to unite educators, students, and institutions. This collaborative approach allows for the classroom to be an environment where technology serves as a powerful ally in the pursuit of academic excellence. We as educators play a pivotal role in this venture, accepting and overseeing the implementation of AI tools in a manner that complements and enhances our traditional teaching methodologies. This provides unique insight into pedagogical strategies for our programs which is invaluable in shaping the effective use of AI in the classroom for the benefit of faculty and students alike.

Students, the primary beneficiaries of Generative AI, must be active co-creators in this process. Their feedback and engagement are crucial in tailoring AI approaches resonate with their learning experiences and aspirations in a practical, efficient, and genuine way. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, we can ensure that Generative AI is not just introduced into the classroom but is woven into the educational process, enhancing learning experiences and outcomes for all.

Strategies for Positive Integration

• Training and Development: It’s essential for educators to possess a comprehensive understanding of AI tools to integrate them effectively into their pedagogy, enhancing the educational experience.
• Student Involvement: Incorporating student feedback is vital for refining the AI’s role in education, ensuring it aligns with their learning needs and enhances their academic journey.
• Continuous Evaluation: Regular assessment of AI tools is necessary to ensure they meet educational standards and are used ethically.

The Future is Now

The seamless incorporation of Generative AI into the educational ecosystem necessitates a concerted effort to unite educators, students, and institutions. This collaborative approach allows for the classroom to be an environment where technology serves as a powerful ally in the pursuit of academic excellence. We as educators play a pivotal role in this venture, accepting and overseeing the implementation of AI tools in a manner that complements and enhances our traditional teaching methodologies. This provides unique insight into pedagogical strategies for our programs which is invaluable in shaping the effective use of AI in the classroom for the benefit of faculty and students alike.

Students, the primary beneficiaries of Generative AI, must be active co-creators in this process. Their feedback and engagement are crucial in tailoring AI approaches resonate with their learning experiences and aspirations in a practical, efficient, and genuine way. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, we can ensure that Generative AI is not just introduced into the classroom but is woven into the educational process, enhancing learning experiences and outcomes for all.

Written by

Corey Gill

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

If you haven't already, please read Part One.

Fostering a Collaborative and Dynamic Environment

The infusion of Generative AI into the academic environments can redefine the educational experience by creating a dynamic and interactive classroom atmosphere. This advanced technology has the potential become a cornerstone for fostering collaborative endeavors, enhancing peer-to-peer exchanges, and deepening comprehension of multifaceted concepts through the power of visualization and modeling. Generative AI can serve as a catalyst for teamwork, enabling students to co-create and innovate. It offers faculty the ability to simulate real-world problems, AI tools encourage learners to pool their knowledge and skills, resulting in a collaborative learning experience that mirrors the collective problem-solving found in professional environments.

Our classrooms, augmented by AI, can become a social learning hub where students engage in meaningful dialogue, idea exchange, and uniquely collaborative deliverables. This peer-to-peer interaction is vital for developing communication skills and understanding diverse perspectives, fostering a community of learners who support and learn from one another. Through Generative AI, abstract theories can be simplified, allowing students to visualize and manipulate models that bring complex concepts to life. This hands-on approach demystifies challenging subjects, making them more accessible and understandable for all students. This unlocks a wealth of possibilities, creating an educational experience that is not only more engaging but also more reflective of the collaborative and technologically integrated world students will enter after graduation.

The Positive Sides of Student Adoption

• Active Learning: Through active participation facilitated by AI, students achieve enhanced retention and a deeper understanding of the material, fostering a more effective and immersive learning experience.
• Instructor Support: AI’s proficiency in automating routine educational tasks liberates instructors to dedicate more time to providing individualized guidance and mentorship, enhancing the quality of education.
• Curriculum Enhancement: Generative AI enriches the educational experience by infusing traditional teaching with innovative content, thereby captivating students’ attention and elevating their learning engagement.

Written by

Corey Gill

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

Generative AI in Education

The introduction of Generative AI into post-secondary education has heralded a transformative shift, presenting unparalleled prospects for customization in learning and fostering an inclusive academic environment. For us as educators, recognizing and leveraging the diverse advantages offered by this technological breakthrough is imperative to augment and enrich the educational experience.

Generative AI stands as a beacon of innovation, propelling us towards a future where education is not just a one-size-fits-all model but a diverse environment of opportunities which adapt to the uniqueness of each student’s learning journey. It is a tool that, when wielded with intent, insight, and foresight, can redefine the boundaries of what is consider possible in education.

Leap into Personalized Learning

Generative AI has emerged as a transformative force within education, catalyzing a shift towards a more immersive and customized learning experience. By embracing the power of AI, educational tools are now equipped to craft personalized practice questions, emulate intricate real-world scenarios, and deliver immediate personalized feedback. This innovation has cultivated a learning environment where students are not mere spectators but dynamic contributors to their educational goals.

With Generative AI, faculty can empower students to take an active role in their educational journey. AI’s ability to adapt to individual learning paths ensures that each student can navigate course material in a way that resonates with their unique learning style. This personalized approach not only enhances engagement but also fosters a deeper connection with the subject matter.

We can then use AI’s capacity to simulate real-world challenges to provide a sandbox for students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. This hands-on approach equips learners with the skills and confidence to tackle real-life problems, bridging the gap between academia and industry in the most practical ways we aspire for.

The Positive Sides of Student Adoption

• Enhanced Engagement: AI-driven platforms are designed to personalize the learning experience, dynamically adapting to each student’s unique style, which not only sustains motivation but also deepens engagement with the educational material.
• Flexible Pacing: AI-driven educational platforms enable a self-paced learning environment, allowing each student to absorb knowledge at a comfortable speed, thus promoting inclusivity and academic success for all.
• Diverse Perspectives: AI’s ability to present diverse perspectives on a topic fosters an environment that stimulates critical thinking and expands intellectual boundaries for learners.

Leveling the Playing Field

Generative AI can be a powerful ally in the quest to make education equitable. By offering a suite of assistive technologies, it has opened doors for students who previously faced barriers to learning. Concepts such as Voice Assistance, Language Translation, and Adaptive Formatting ensures that learning materials are accessible to students with diverse needs.

Equitable Benefits

• Accessibility: AI tools serve as a bridge, eliminating obstacles for students with disabilities and ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities alongside their peers.
• Customization: AI’s adaptability allows for the customization of learning materials, accommodating specific requirements such as font modifications and streamlined explanations, thus enhancing the learning experience for all students.
• Empowerment: Equipped with the appropriate AI tools, every student is empowered to fully engage in their educational pursuits, cultivating a robust sense of autonomy and self-assurance.

If you think of it, Generative AI stands not just as a technological advancement, but as a beacon of hope, providing the path to an inclusive educational landscape where every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Written by

Corey Gill

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

The following tips include a series of questions with suggested prompts that can be used with Bing Copilot – available through the DC instance of Microsoft 365 – to support our faculty members’ teaching and learning practices.

Have you wondered if AI can help you overcome material leakage to online course sites?

It can! Let AI help you re-write your short answer test questions and draft updated answers by using DC Connect, the Bing Copilot sidebar and a prompt similar to this:

Could AI help you ensure that students are always receiving unique case studies every semester?

It can, and quickly too! AI can develop new case studies or revise existing case studies. Open Bing Copilot, upload your case in PDF format and use a the prompt like this:

Did you know AI can quickly help you quickly build your question bank in DC connect?

Just select and copy your DC Connect content and paste it into QuizWiz. Then select create quiz and moments later you will have a number of new questions to review and add to your bank!

Wondering if you should let AI overhaul your assignments or activities?

You should! Simply open any assignment in your web browser, open the Bing Copilot sidebar and use the following prompt:

Written by

Jonathan Carrigan

Generative AI Consultant in the CTL

Generative AI (GenAI) is a branch of artificial intelligence that can create (generate) new content, such as text, images, music, or code. GenAI has many applications and benefits for teaching and learning in higher education, but it also requires a careful and thoughtful approach to adapt your pedagogy and curriculum to leverage its potential. In this article, we will help you navigate the process of rethinking your pedagogy and curriculum to adopt GenAI, providing you with some guidance and advice on how to do it.

Why?

Rethinking your pedagogy and curriculum to integrate GenAI is an important and progressive step in supporting our students through teaching and learning in higher education. GenAI can support and enhance the learning outcomes, processes, and experiences of your students, as well as your teaching goals, methods, and practices. For example, you can use GenAI to:

Conclusion

Generative AI is a powerful and promising technology that can have significant impacts and benefits for teaching and learning in higher education. However, using GenAI in your teaching and learning requires a careful and thoughtful approach, as well as an awareness and understanding of the inherent challenges and opportunities. We hope that this article has helped and encouraged you in the process of rethinking your pedagogy and curriculum with generative AI, and provided you with some guidance and advice on how to do it. If you are interested in using generative AI in your courses, you can use the Submit a GenAI Tool form to request the exploration and review of the GenAI tool that you want to use if it is not already included in the guidebook. You can also visit the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning website to access more resources and suggestions on integrating GenAI into your teaching and learning.

Adobe Firefly

via Adobe Creative Cloud

In case you missed it, Adobe Creative Cloud recently launched some new generative AI features through Adobe Firefly, including:

• Text to Image: generate images and graphics from a detailed text description.
• Generative Fill*: use a brush to remove objects or paint in new ones in Adobe apps.
• Text Effects*: apply styles or textures to words or phrases in Adobe apps.
• Generative Recolor*: generate color variations of your vector artwork in Adobe apps.
• 3D to Image*: generate images from the interactive positioning of 3D elements in Adobe apps.
• Project Stardust*: Move an object anywhere in your images in Adobe apps.

*Use of some generative AI features may require some knowledge and experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and its applications.

Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise

via Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise is a generative AI tool that can help faculty members and staff generate content, analyze or compare data, summarize documents, generative images and much more. While Microsoft Bing Chat is available publicly, Microsoft Bing Chat Enterprise provides commercial data protection, which means:

• user and organizational data are protected;
• Chat data isn’t saved;
• Microsoft is not tracking access;
• your data isn’t used to train the underlying large language models (see Microsoft FAQs for privacy details)

To use Bing Chat Enterprise:

1. Go to bing.com.
2. Click on the Chat option at the top left corner or side navigation bar. If you are already logged into your Microsoft Office 365 account, you may see your image at the top right corner to indicate you are already signed in.
3. When you are ready, type a question or select a preset prompt to get a reply.

Explore other GenAI Tools

To learn more about these and other GenAI tools we have investigated, please visit the CTL GenAI website:

LAUNCH WEBSITE