Exploring the Intersection of AI and Higher Education
As we step into the crisp early days of September, the academic season invigorates discussions on new methods, emerging technologies, and innovative educational practices. One seminar at Georgetown University stands out this semester: a comprehensive course on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. This course, part of Georgetown’s Learning, Design, and Technology graduate program, is being co-taught by the esteemed founding director, Professor Eddie Maloney, and myself.
Course Overview: AI’s Role in Higher Education
The seminar is designed to facilitate an in-depth exploration of AI’s multifaceted influence on academia. Each week, students will engage with various topics ranging from pedagogical approaches to the socio-political ramifications of AI. Participants will also contribute actively to the class by leading discussions on specific AI technologies, connecting the curriculum with practical applications. An integral aspect of the course is its requirement for students to complete Georgetown’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Microcredential, which emphasizes hands-on learning.
Diverse Learning Materials
To complement our discussions, the course utilizes a variety of readings, primarily accessible online. We’ve selected two pivotal texts: B. Mairéad Pratschke’s "Generative AI and Education" and De Kai’s "Raising AI: An Essential Guide to Parenting Our Future." These resources equip students with fundamental knowledge and context for understanding the complexities surrounding AI.
Detailed Syllabus Breakdown
Introduction to AI in Higher Education
The first week serves as an introduction to AI’s fundamental concepts, its historical trajectory, and current academic applications. Students are encouraged to identify focal points for further exploration—whether pedagogical innovations or critiques of AI in educational settings.
Diving Deeper into Large Language Models (LLMs)
Our second session delves deep into LLMs, featuring guest speakers Molly Chehak and Ella Csarno. Students are tasked with reviewing critical readings such as the MIT study, "Your Brain on ChatGPT," which analyzes cognitive offloading in the context of AI tools. This week aims to clarify the technological capabilities of LLMs and their implications on traditional educational practices.
Macro Impacts: Economics, Culture, Politics
Moving forward, we will examine AI’s broader societal impacts. This week focuses on how AI is reshaping labor markets, governance structures, and cultural norms. Reading optional materials, like Daron Acemoglu’s piece on "The Simple Macroeconomics of AI," provides students with insights into regulatory frameworks and economic debates surrounding automation.
Institutional Responses to AI
As AI technologies proliferate, educational institutions are reconfiguring their structures—both in policy and pedagogy. This week will spotlight how universities react to the demands of AI, featuring a guest speaker, Eddie Watson, who will discuss the AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. We’ll explore institutional case studies that highlight successful applications of AI in teaching and learning environments.
Pedagogy, Conversations, and Anthropomorphism
Continuing our exploration, we’ll analyze the ethical complications embedded within human-AI interactions in educational settings. This session invites students to consider the pedagogical potential of AI as both a tool and a conversational partner. Through simulations and case studies, we will dissect academic integrity issues and the evolving role of educators.
AI and Ethics/Humanities
In this section, we’ll focus on ethical considerations surrounding AI, drawing from resources in humanities and global ethics. Featuring guest speaker De Kai, the discussion will pivot toward the moral implications of AI deployment, urging students to reflect on responsibility and accountability in technological integration.
Critiques of AI
To foster critical thinking, we will engage with perspectives that challenge dominant narratives surrounding AI, focusing on algorithmic biases and the data economy. This week’s readings will encourage students to confront the complexities and potential downsides of AI technologies.
Human-AI Learning
As we shift toward human-AI collaboration, we will explore how educational outcomes can be optimized when students and AI systems work together. Insights from guest speaker Dewey Murdick will guide our exchange on how these partnerships can redefine learning and workforce development.
Agentic Possibilities
With a close examination of emerging AI systems, we’ll discuss autonomy and instructional design. Insights from Pratschke’s work on Generative AI will provide students with frameworks to analyze future educational tools, forcing a reckoning with the role of technology in pedagogy.
Future Possibilities
Our final discussions will forecast various future scenarios in higher education—both utopian and dystopian. Here, we explore the significance of ethical leadership and equity in shaping AI’s path. The course will conclude with student-led presentations, showcasing their learning and insights gained throughout the semester.
This seminar promises a rich dialogue on the transformative potential of AI in the educational landscape, providing students with the tools to critically engage with a rapidly evolving field. Each week is structured to augment understanding while encouraging proactive participation, ensuring that students not only absorb notions but actively contribute to the discourse surrounding AI’s role in higher education.