This is the first of two articles based on presentations from EIM’s 2024 faculty development symposium, “Innovate to Educate: Emerging Tech in Healthcare Pedagogy.” Read the second.

The landscape of higher education is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements and the need to cater to diverse student needs. Among these advancements, generative AI (hereafter referred to as AI) stands out as a transformative tool that can revolutionize how course content is created and delivered.

By leveraging AI, educators can develop more engaging, personalized, and effective learning materials. In this article, we explore six innovative ways to utilize AI for developing engaging course content.

1. How AI Enables Personalized Learning Experiences

One of the most notable features of AI is its ability to create customized learning content. AI holds the power to analyze a student’s learning style, pace, and preferences, and can help instructors create Adaptive Learning Platforms.

Adaptive Learning Platforms can help address individual students’ needs by creating specifically tailored learning pathways, generating immediate feedback, and providing students with additional resources. Personalized course content driven by data analytics promotes engagement and motivation for learning.  

2. Creating Interactive Media and Content with AI

While AI is known for its abilities to create and organize text, it is equally skilled at visual and interactive content creation.

Dr. Ryan Straight of The University of Arizona College of Applied Science and Technology says, “We can think of AI as a co-creator in the educational process. In this perspective, we see AI not just as a kind of sophisticated tool, but as an active collaborator in the learning process.

AI-powered tools can generate videos, simulations, and even virtual reality experiences that make learning more dynamic and engaging. For example, Evidence In Motion (EIM) leverages AI to create video case studies that immerse students in real-life health care scenarios.

Students are then asked to assess the scenario and apply their knowledge to the case study using relevant information learned in the courses. This allows students in hybrid accelerated learning models to enhance critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, preparing them for in-person lab immersions and working with real patients during their clinical affiliations.

AI-driven scenarios can offer a dynamic and adaptive learning experience, catering to individual student needs and ensuring comprehensive understanding of complex clinical concepts. This innovative approach bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, fostering a more robust and immersive educational environment.

3. Enhancing Assessment and Feedback with AI Tools

Quizzes and assessments are important elements of the learning process, and AI can help enhance and support the process. AI can develop quizzes and assessments that provide immediate feedback and help create adaptive learning plans tailored to individual student needs.

This process allows students and faculty to rapidly assess a student’s grasp on the course material. AI can analyze and track response trends to help identify any common misconceptions and inform students of gaps in their learning that require more attention to master.

As EIM E-Learning Manager Michelle Van Slate said, “By leveraging AI, educators can create learning environments that respond to student needs.” This type of technology allows instructors to address a student’s needs in a more efficient and effective way to facilitate student success.

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4. Leveraging AI for Content Creation and Course Design

AI can assist educators in quickly and efficiently creating and curating high-quality content. AI tools can generate lecture notes, summaries, study guides, quizzes and exams, saving educators time and effort.

By leveraging AI, educators can focus more on student interaction and personalized instruction, ultimately improving the overall quality of education. However, it’s important to note, AI is not always accurate or 100% comprehensive—subject matter experts are needed to sift through content created by AI to ensure accuracy.

While not perfect, AI gets educators “in the ballpark,” creating efficiencies in managing their workload.

Administrators and educators alike can use AI tools and software such as Harmonize to help in the content creation process for things like engaging discussion prompts and creation and execution of assignments that demonstrate students understanding and application of concepts.

AI can also assist educators in focusing key points to provide students with need-to-know information, leaving them with the clarity to focus on application for complex concepts.

5. Using AI to Build Equity in Education

Higher education institutions serve a diverse student population with different learning needs and backgrounds. AI can support this diversity by creating inclusive and accessible content.

AI tools can generate materials in multiple languages, provide text-to-speech options, and create resources that accommodate different learning abilities. For example, AI can convert written content into audio or produce visual aids for students with hearing impairments.

This inclusivity ensures that all students have equal opportunities to succeed.

6. Streamlining Administrative Tasks with AI in Higher Education

For administrators and educators alike, AI can be used to streamline administrative tasks.

Leveraging AI allows educators to complete tasks such as scheduling, progress tracking, and other low-level tasks efficiently so that educators can focus on valuable personalized time spent with students, or even liberating time for further individual education and professional development.

By eliminating some of the more daunting administrative tasks, instructors can focus their skills as a subject matter expert to deliver significant learning opportunities for students.  

Ethical Considerations and Responsible AI Usage in Education

While AI is an invaluable asset in higher education, it presents concerns and ethical challenges. Critics worry about student privacy, intellectual property, and the potential for errors and inaccuracies.

It is the responsibility of administrators and faculty to work together to lay out clear and definitive rules and ramifications of AI usage. Proper guidelines and policies must be put in place to ensure that academic ethics are upheld with integrity. Administrators should also equip educators with the proper tools and education to effectively use AI.

AI is an effective tool for learning and higher education, equipping administrators, educators, and students with advanced resources for academic and professional success.

However, it is crucial to consider the ethics of AI to ensure responsible use. By leveraging AI, administrators and educators can create a more equitable and engaging learning experience, facilitating the development of well-rounded and capable students.

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