Generative AI
Introduction
That ChatGPT can automatically generate something that reads even superficially like human-written text is remarkable, and unexpected. But how does it do it? And why does it work?
Stephen Wolfram’s free online book, What Is ChatGPT Doing…and Why Does It Work?, gives a rough outline of what’s going on inside ChatGPT—and then explores why it can produce what we might consider to be meaningful text. Wolfram focuses on the big picture of what’s going on—some engineering details are mentioned, but he won’t get deeply into them. (And the essence of what is said applies just as well to other current “large language models” [LLMs] as to ChatGPT.)
If you’re new to using Generative AI (GenAI) in your teaching, you can read through slides from the LTC’s workshop for faculty, Mind-Melding with AI: Teaching Students to Use AI to Learn, Not to Cheat. These slides give an introductory overview to many of the topics discussed in more depth below!
As Generative AI evolves and is more widely used, ethical questions will continue to be raised and discussed. The Highline College Library hosts a page of resources on Bias and Justice related to GenAI Faculty can use as a starting point to stay updated on these issues.
The Highline College Library website on AI and ChatGPT covers many topics related to teaching in a world with GenAI.
Incorporating Gen AI into your teaching
There are many ways to incorporate Generative AI, and as Faculty get more comfortable and creative with these new tools, new ways will emerge. Here are a few resources from Highline Faculty to start with:
- Gen AI Guidance – example of In-Class Use Policy from English Faculty, Stephanie Ojeda Ponce
- Ideas for Using Gen AI in Class from Aleya Dhanji (Physics Faculty) and Tarisa Matsumoto-Maxfield (English / Diversity and Global Studies Faculty)
- Sample Assignment – an assignment to practice using ChatGPT’s help to generate survey questions from English Faculty and Division Chair, Gayatri Sirohi
- How to Talk to Students About AI – these slides from Katie Straton (Adjunct Faculty Librarian) and Prairie Brown (English Faculty) is from their workshop at the AI symposium for Highline College in 2025 and covers a range of scenarios for conversations with students about AI
- More Conversation Starters – Faculty may not be comfortable approaching students when they use gen AI for class work when they shouldn’t have used gen AI. We’ve sourced some conversation starters from Wendy Swyt (English Faculty), Allison Green (English / Diversity and Global Studies Faculty), and Izzy Wroblewski (Associate Dean for Student Life)
Other resources to get started with
The AI Assessment Scale
The AI Assessment Scale provides a nuanced framework for integrating AI into educational assessments. Co-creator Leon Furze offers his thoughts on implementing the Assessment Scale in his blog (see below for recorded workshop “Rethinking Assessment for Gen AI”, Furze’s workshop with Highline Faculty on Assessment).
Bloom’s Taxonomy Revisited
Bloom’s Taxonomy Revisited: from Oregon State University, use this table as a reference for evaluating and considering changes to aligned course activities (or, where possible, learning outcomes) that emphasize distinctive human skills and/or integrate generative AI (GenAI) tools as a supplement to the learning practices.
The “AI Sandwich” Assignment
The “AI Sandwich” Assignment from Jon Ippolito is an example of a writing assignment that utilizes Generative AI while also taking advantage of uniquely human capabilities. Students are tasked with writing a paper to understand the interplay of national politics and local economies, using the AI Sandwich method:
- Stage 1: AI as brainstorming partner
- Stage 2: Human-to-human knowledge creation
- Stage 3: AI as writing partner
AI for Educator Efficiency and Effectiveness
Interested in using AI to help you, as an Educator, work more efficiently and effectively? Check out these resources from English Faculty Rhiannon Hillman’s workshop, Working Smarter, Not Harder: Leveraging AI to Enhance Educator Efficiency and Effectiveness.
Recordings of PD offered at Highline
(Highline login required)
April 11, 2025, 2nd Annual AI Symposium: AI for All: Empowering Multilingual Learners for College Success
- Monica LeMoine (English Faculty)
- Gayatri Sirohi (English Faculty, Arts & Humanities Division Chair)
- Bevin Taylor (ELCAP Faculty)
Let’s explore how AI tools can create a more inclusive learning environment for students whose first language may not be English. We’ll share concrete ways in which AI tools can help multilingual/ESOL students scaffold knowledge-building, lecture and text comprehension, and language fluency development for confidently expressing their knowledge in college classes. We’ll also hear from multilingual students themselves on how AI tools have impacted their learning journey. Come away with inspiration and actionable ideas for leveraging AI tools to support our linguistically diverse students.
April 11, 2025, 2nd Annual AI Symposium: Beyond the PDF: Incorporating AI Course Evaluation Analysis for Self-Evaluation
- Stephanie Ojeda Ponce (English Faculty)
Do you ever look at student evaluations for the quarter, or past few years, and wonder how to make it make sense? With support from Claude.AI and ChatGPT, I was able to quickly see patterns and insights aligned with the tenure criteria. Join me to practice using AI tools to run quantitative and qualitative data analyses of your course evaluations. We’ll break down a variety of (free and premium) AI tools to analyze 5 years of course evaluations. You’ll receive example prompts and hands-on time generating data analysis and crafting a next-level self-reflection. To prepare, have your course evaluation files ready so you can leave with meaningful student-centered self reflection.
May 22, 2025: Crafting Student-Centered Assignments in the Age of AI: Approaches for Every Educator
- Monica LeMoine (English Faculty)
- Rhiannon Hillman (English Faculty)
- Gayatri Sirohi (English Faculty, Arts & Humanities Deivision chair)
In this session, three instructors will share their unique approaches to designing assignments that prioritize authentic student work, uphold academic integrity, and embrace the transformative potential of AI. The session will showcase assignments that encourage process-oriented learning, where students are engaged in each stage of their work, ensuring that AI tools enhance, rather than replace, their thinking and creation process.
April 11, 2025, 2nd Annual AI Symposium keynote address: Preserving Teaching and Learning Integrity in the Age of AI
- Brandeis Marshall, PhD, data equity strategist, speaker, writer
In this talk, Brandeis Marshall discusses the tensions of teaching in higher education for students (and faculty) who are navigating a myriad of challenges that now includes the emergence of genAI. She also shares how faculty can thoughtfully incorporate genAI and touches on the future of work with AI.
May 28, 2025: Rethinking Assessment for Gen AI
- Leon Furze – Author, consultant, and PhD candidate helping educators understand the practical and ethical implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence
This session explores multimodal Generative AI and how the technology has developed in the past 18 months. We will discuss the implications of powerful multimodal GenAI for assessment across all disciplines in education, and look at how the AI Assessment Scale can be used to support educators in updating teaching and learning practices.
March 12, 2025: Student Voices on AI: Perspectives on Current and Future Uses and Challenges
Are you curious about how Highline students are engaging with AI in their academic and personal lives? Join us for an insightful panel discussion where students share their firsthand experiences, perspectives, and aspirations related to AI.
This workshop aims to bridge the gap between faculty and students by shedding light on how AI is already shaping student learning, creativity, and career preparation. Faculty participants will gain a better understanding of the diverse ways students are leveraging AI tools, as well as the challenges and ethical considerations they encounter along the way.In addition to hearing about current practices, the panel will explore students’ visions for the role of AI in their future professions and broader societal impact. Faculty will be able to use these student insights to inform teaching strategies and curriculum design. Whether you’re new to integrating AI into the classroom or looking to deepen your understanding of its implications, this workshop offers valuable perspectives straight from the people AI will affect most: your students.
Upcoming professional development opportunities
2025 Summer Institute: All About AI
Related books in the LTC collection
- Fitzpatrick, Daniel, Amanda Fox, and Brad Weinstein. The AI Classroom: the ultimate guide to artificial intelligence in education. TeacherGoals Publishing, LLC, 2023.
- Clark, Holly. The AI Infused Classroom: inspiring ideas to shift teaching and maximize meaningful learning in the world of AI. Elevate Books EDU, 2023.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- A Tip from ChatGPT – instructions from ChatGPT on how to generate a unique URL to be able share a link to one of your ChatGPT conversations
- Bowen, José Antonio and C. Edward Watson, Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Human Era, John Hopkins University Press, 2024.
- Practical AI Strategies – on-demand courses and downloadable materials from Leon Furze