Integrating AI in Education: A Learning Curve for All

I am currently leading an action-based research project at my institution, exploring innovative approaches to integrating AI into teaching and assessment. Recently, I made a significant change in my teaching approach—I allowed my students to use AI within their learning activities and assessments, albeit with certain limitations. Beyond just permitting AI use, I actively guided them in crafting effective prompts and distinguishing between academically sound and inappropriate uses.

The Results? A Mixed Bag of Insights

One of the most interesting discoveries was the stark contrast in AI proficiency among students. While a few were adept at using ChatGPT as a tool—a resource to enhance their learning—most struggled to integrate it meaningfully into their academic work. This raised an important question: Should educational institutions introduce a compulsory foundational unit on generative AI? Given its growing presence in education and beyond, students need structured guidance to harness its full potential effectively.

Challenges in Live Assessments

To ensure authenticity and engagement, I required students to complete their assignments live in the classroom. However, this brought unforeseen challenges. Many students felt overwhelmed by the format, which was initially disappointing but ultimately provided valuable insights.

Several key issues emerged:

• Some students had poor language skills, making AI interaction difficult.

• Others lacked proficiency in basic computer use, particularly typing efficiently.

• A few students forgot to bring their laptops, while others struggled with battery life.

• The classroom itself lacked sufficient charging points, requiring strategic planning for tech use.

This highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of AI integration—the necessity for adequate infrastructure. If institutions expect students to engage with technology in real-time assessments, they must ensure classrooms are equipped to support this demand.

The Road Ahead

Despite the challenges, I found the experience enriching. It was a steep learning curve, but a rewarding one. Since this is part of an ongoing action-based research project, I will be making modifications in the next cycle to address some of these issues. I am eager to see what new insights emerge and how student engagement with AI evolves.

Stay tuned—I’ll keep you posted on the next phase of this journey!

Practising AI usage in class

Laptops and/ or no Laptops and Gen AI usage