Introduction to Generative AI for Educators: Summary

In this module, we covered how to: 

• Recognize the differences in AI models and tools and how they can be used. 
• Use an AI tool to complete a teaching/learning task. 
• Identify ways in which generative AI could impact teaching and learning in your classroom.
  

In their September 2023 article, Neil Krammaand and Sioux McKenna suggest that AI amplifies the tough question: What is higher education really for? They argue that focusing on identifying AI usage in students’ work and implementing a surveillance-driven approach ignores the broader purposes of higher education as being a space for nurturing transformative relationships with knowledge. By engaging in active exploration and thoughtful discussions about AI, we can cultivate a critical perspective on the potential implications and risks associated with AI. This allows us, as educators, to create an environment where responsible AI use is carefully considered and thoughtfully integrated when appropriate. Such an approach empowers students to navigate the ethical challenges posed by AI technologies in their future academic and professional pursuits. 

If you’d like to continue your learning about GenAI at McMaster Univeristy or engage in conversations with others, check out  Generative AI for Educators on McMaster’s Office of the Provost website for additional resources and events.