José Bowen discusses the impact of AI on higher education, addressing issues like cheating, quality assessment, and job market changes. He emphasizes the importance of traditional skills for critical thinking and the role of AI in personalized learning. The podcast explores integrating AI to improve teaching methods while highlighting values like integrity and respect in education.
AI reshapes writing standards, urging educators to elevate criteria for quality work.
Balanced AI integration is vital in education, emphasizing the need to maintain human-to-human interactions.
Deep dives
Impacts of AI on Higher Education
The integration of AI in higher education brings about significant changes in teaching and learning processes. One of the main shifts highlighted is the impact of AI on student assessment methods. Traditional assignments are no longer as effective due to the ease of cheating with AI tools like CHEG. However, faculty members are urged to focus more on engaging with students, recognizing the transformative potential AI offers in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes that AI is reshaping the standards of work quality and calls for a shift in how educators approach teaching and assessing student learning.
Writing Standards and AI
AI's influence on writing standards is a central concern in education. The podcast delves into how tools like spell checkers changed writing expectations over time. It argues that AI is altering what is deemed as average or mediocre quality work. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of grading criteria and the imperative to emphasize critical thinking skills over repetitive tasks that AI can accomplish. The point is made that educators need to adapt to AI's impact on writing and elevate standards accordingly.
Embracing AI in Education
The conversation shifts towards advocating for a balanced approach to AI integration in education. While acknowledging the benefits AI brings in enhancing efficiency and providing immediate feedback, concerns are raised about the potential loss of human-to-human interactions. It stresses the need to find ways to leverage AI for student practice and engagement while preserving the value of relationships and personal connections. The discussion underscores the importance of motivating students to actively engage with AI tools and the ethics involved.
Promoting Ethical AI Use
The importance of ethical AI use in education is a central theme explored in the episode. Concerns about bias and fairness in AI systems, especially in online proctoring exams, are highlighted. The conversation stresses the significance of understanding and mitigating biases embedded in AI technologies to ensure inclusivity in educational practices. Recommendations are made to critically evaluate the ethical implications of AI applications and to foster transparent discussions on integrity and ethical use of AI in the educational context.
José Bowen shares about Teaching with AI on episode 518 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
The technology changed the standard that we accept.
-José Bowen
There’s a huge equity issue here, but there’s also an opportunity to raise standards.
-José Bowen
There are different things that AI can do to help us with student learning.
-José Bowen
AI has the capability to increase our ability to have relationships with students by taking away some of the other kinds of tedious things.
-José Bowen