What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves using computers to accomplish tasks that usually require human intelligence. This broad definition refers to AI algorithms that classify, analyze, and draw predictions from data. In UF academic programs, AI is often used to generate transcripts of videos, predict student performance, generate text or images, determine the likelihood of academic integrity violations, and many other tasks.

ChatGPT

Interested in learning more about ChatGPT and its implications on teaching and learning? Visit the ChatGPT page for updated information about this new natural language processing (NLP) tool and potential changes you might make to your assessment strategies.

This image was genearated using the DALL·E 2 AI system by Open AI using the prompt “education technology vector art about artificial intelligence learning”.


Examples of AI Applications for Teaching and Learning

Generative AI as a Teaching Assistant

Generative AI, which includes text generators like ChatGPT and image generators such as Bing Image Creator, can be used to create content for instructors to improve students’ experiences. ChatGPT, for example, could be used to refine student learning outcomes, generate quiz questions, create case studies for exploration in class, or to create unique study aids for students.

The Tech Byte webinar titled AI Prompt Cookbook: Generative AI Recipes Designed to Enhance Teaching presented many ideas on ways to use generative AI to support teaching. The recording (54:09) and the accompanying “cookbook” of ideas are both available for viewing. The CITT Tech Byte page also has links to future and past Tech Byte events.

Conversational AI

Conversational AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the area of AI research that includes chatbots and the popular tool ChatGPT. Chatbots are being tested at UF using tools like the Alli-Gator chatbot that appears on many UF websites, including the UFIT Helpdesk. The CITT has also explored using chatbots and ChatGPT to make new types of assignments available to students, such as roleplaying interactions at a larger scale than could be handled by an instructor alone.

The Tech Byte webinar titled AI Impacts on Teaching and Learning discussed many of the concerns about generative AI's impacts on teaching and learning. This webinar had a brief overview of ChatGPT and considered course and assignment design strategies in light of this new technology. The recording (1:25:34) and the PowerPoint slides for this presentation are available for viewing. The CITT Tech Byte page also has links to future and past Tech Byte events.

Request an education technology consultation if you would like to explore using a chatbot with your class!

Adaptive and Personalized Learning

AI can help identify learning opportunities that students may benefit from based on student performance and engagement. Some adaptive learning technologies suggest ways that students can improve their performance, and other tools use a large bank of questions and feedback to tailor assessments to guide the students based on their current performance. Several vendors, such as McGraw Hill and Realize It, offer adaptive learning solutions that can work with existing content or be modified to fit an instructor's needs.

Audio, Text, and Image Recognition

Many technologies utilize AI to recognize audio and image input for generating transcripts, writing alternative text, evaluating assignment submissions, and more.  On the UF campus, everyone has access to live captioning in Zoom and PowerPoint, and speech recognition through Microsoft Word. Instructors participating in the Gradescope pilot can take advantage of text and image recognition to make grading and providing feedback more efficient.

Learning Analytics

Learning analytics gives instructors tools to recognize and respond to at-risk students based on data generated from AI. At UF, instructors and students can both benefit from the analytics provided in Canvas. Consider contacting the Learning Analytics and Assessment team for more information about how analytics can be accessed and leveraged.

Academic Integrity

Proctoring tools like Honorlock utilize AI to evaluate students’ behavior on video during a test to determine if there may be an academic integrity issue. AI-enhanced proctoring tools provide increased flexibility to students since there is no longer a need to schedule an in-person proctoring session, while instructors have the option to proctor high-stakes summative assessments.

Resources

Additional ideas on using generative AI to enhance teaching and learning are available on this site.

Using AI to meet your teaching and learning goals might require a consultation to identify the correct tools and resources. There are many AI-related online services that offer free tiers of service, but student educational records are considered Restricted Data and proper risk assessments must be undertaken before using such tools. Open-source software, and programming languages such as Python an R, can be customized to accomplish many tasks but require large amounts time, resources, or expertise to adopt. If you are interested in using AI in your courses, please request a consultation so that we can assist you!

Advanced Tools that May Require Programming or Cloud Computing Expertise

Creating custom AI applications that interact with students requires a risk assessment with UFIT Integrated Risk Management. The following are tools that allow for creation of AI applications that can remain within UF’s data cloud for security.

UFIT Research Computing

Google Cloud Platform

  • Google AI services – Overview of Google’s AI-related services, many of which can be tried for free
  • Google Colab – a free online environment where Python and R code can be written and executed
  • Google Dialog Flow – for creating conversational AI

Microsoft Azure

  • Microsoft Azure AI services – Overview of Microsoft’s AI-related services, many of which can be tried for free
  • Azure Bot Service – for creating conversational AI

Getting Support

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AI at the University of Florida

AI Resources from UFIT Research Computing

UFIT R Training