JeVaughn Lancaster, Manager of Instructional Design at Lynn University and generative AI expert, shares insights on using custom chatbots in higher education. She discusses the benefits of tailored GPTs for educators, enhancing course discussions and creating accessible assignments. JeVaughn emphasizes the importance of data privacy and AI literacy among students and teachers. Additionally, she raises concerns about the ethical use of AI, advocating for meaningful dialogues to prepare students for a future enriched with artificial intelligence.
Custom chatbots enhance educational efficiency by simplifying tasks for educators and providing personalized support for students.
The rise of generative AI tools necessitates discussions on data privacy and ethical considerations in their application within higher education.
Deep dives
Understanding Custom GPTs
Custom GPTs, which stand for generative pre-trained transformers, are specialized chatbots designed for specific tasks to aid users in daily operations. They generate content based on extensive datasets which improve with each interaction, making them highly effective in creating tailored responses. Notably, these tools have evolved to become more accessible, allowing users with free accounts to utilize GPTs created by paid subscribers, thus broadening their application in educational settings. This accessibility encourages educators to customize chatbots that can better support students and faculty without the need for intensive tech skills.
Creating Custom GPTs
The process of creating a custom GPT is both straightforward and user-friendly, which demystifies the initial intimidation many feel. Users simply log into their ChatGPT account, navigate to the 'Explore GPTs' section, and proceed to build their custom chatbot by providing descriptions and specific instructions tailored to their needs. Additionally, this process allows for the upload of relevant documents, enhancing the accuracy and personalization of the responses generated. By refining instructions and knowledge sources, users can create tools that significantly boost efficiency in tasks such as creating rubrics or lesson plans.
Application in Higher Education
Custom GPTs have numerous productive applications in higher education, particularly in supporting both faculty and students. For educators, these tools simplify tasks like developing lesson plans, generating quizzes, and crafting learning objectives, ultimately enhancing the course experience. Students also benefit as they can utilize GPTs for tutoring, receiving personalized feedback, and assisting with research tasks, thus supplementing their learning process. The ability of these chatbots to deliver context-specific help contributes to a more engaging and supportive educational environment.
Concerns About Data Privacy and Ethical Use
As the use of custom GPTs increases, concerns surrounding data privacy and the ethical implications of utilizing AI in education must be addressed. Educators are encouraged to be cautious when uploading any student information, opting for pseudonyms to ensure confidentiality while still leveraging the technology's benefits. It is equally important to foster discussions about AI literacy in classrooms, emphasizing the responsible use of such tools. By openly sharing their own experiences with AI, instructors can motivate students to engage in meaningful learning while navigating the complexities of integrating AI into their studies.
Generative AI tools have made it easy to create custom chatbots. In this episode, JeVaughn Lancaster joins us to discuss the process of creating chatbots and some potential uses in higher education. JeVaughn is the Manager of Instructional Design at Lynn University. JeVaughn’s work using generative AI to support effective course design resulted in a Best in Track award at the 2024 OLC Innovate Conference. Some of her more recent work on this topic was presented at the OLC Accelerate Conference in November 2024.