Generative AI in Higher Education

Earlier this year I co-hosted an episode of In the Hot Seat looking at Generative AI in higher education. I was lucky to be joined by Dr. Ali Green from the University of West Florida and Keeley Meentze from The Keeley Company, along with my co-host Professor Stephen LeMay, also from the University of West Florida. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI using large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, has sent shockwaves through various sectors including higher education. Along with a great deal of controversy, the discussion of generative AI in education, at least among a subset of educators, has shown a strong potential as a pivotal tool in reshaping and improving higher education. Built upon frameworks such as GPT-4 from OpenAI, generative AI can analyze vast amounts of data, learn patterns, and generate new content autonomously. This capability has far-reaching implications for higher education, offering transformative possibilities that promise to revolutionize teaching, learning, and administrative tasks.

Here are a few potential use cases for generative AI in higher education:

1. Personalized Learning Experience

The ability of generative AI to provide personalized content based on individual learner characteristics could be a significant boon to higher education. It can enable educators to design and deliver tailored learning paths for each student, accommodating different learning styles, pace, and preferences, something that is too labor intensive today for most institutions. The technology can also analyze a student's performance in real-time, continuously updating the learning path based on individual progress, strengths, and weaknesses.

2. Enhancing Student Engagement and Participation

With AI's capability to create interactive content such as quizzes, puzzles, or simulated real-world scenarios, students can actively engage with the material rather than passively consume it. This approach helps foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and the practical application of knowledge. By making learning more engaging and interactive, generative AI can significantly boost student participation and motivation.

3. Automatic Grading and Feedback

Generative AI can also automate the grading process, saving educators countless hours spent on routine administrative tasks. Furthermore, AI can provide personalized feedback, pointing out individual students' areas of improvement, strengths, and weaknesses. The immediacy of feedback enhances students' learning experience by allowing them to promptly address their mistakes and reinforce their understanding.

4. Intelligent Tutoring Systems

Generative AI can act as an intelligent tutoring system, offering students round-the-clock access and support. It can answer queries, provide explanations, and give hints to students struggling with concepts or problems. These AI-powered tutors can adapt to students' learning pace and style, making learning more accessible, more productive and less stressful.

5. Research Assistance

In higher education, a substantial part of learning involves conducting research. Generative AI can help students by sifting through vast amounts of data to extract relevant information, summarizing research papers, and identifying research gaps. It not only saves time but also allows students to focus more on critical analysis and less on administrative tasks.

6. Improved Accessibility

Generative AI can help break down barriers to education by making learning resources accessible to students with disabilities. For instance, AI can transcribe lectures for hearing-impaired students or convert text-based materials into audio for visually impaired learners. It can also translate learning content into multiple languages, enhancing the learning experience for non-native English speakers.

7. Predictive Student Assessment

Generative AI can utilize predictive analytics to identify students at risk of dropping out or those needing extra support. By analyzing data like attendance, participation, grades, and online activity, the tool can provide early intervention opportunities, increasing student retention and success rates.

While the potential benefits are enormous, it's essential to remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for educators. Teachers' expertise, creativity, and emotional intelligence remain central to learning. What generative AI offers is a way to enhanced, personalize, and make the learning experience more accessible and effective. As we continue to explore and expand the capabilities of generative AI, we must also address the challenges posed, such as data privacy and fairness / inherent bias in AI decision-making. The potential of generative AI in higher education is ,very promising but it’s essential to realize that it requires careful implementation and continuous monitoring and evaluation.