Artificial Intelligence
Getting Started
AI technologies have been part of everyday life for many years, long before the recent increase in public attention. Common tools such as email spam filters, GPS navigation, Siri, Alexa, and Grammarly all rely on AI. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), a subset of AI, can create new content, including text, images, graphics, videos, and music, in response to user prompts. Popular GenAI tools include ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, and Google Gemini. Learn more about Introducing Generative AI.
Universal Design/Accessibility
- AI and UDL Work Better Together, CAST – articles, learning communities, and AI workshops
- AI and Accessibility from the Center for Teaching Innovation, Cornell University
Best Practices
- Be transparent about AI use: Clearly communicate your expectations for when and how generative AI may be used. For faculty, include this guidance in your course syllabus, assignment instructions, or other course materials. Explain both the benefits and limitations of AI, emphasizing that it is a tool to support learning, not a substitute for critical thinking, creativity, or independent work.
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Start with your goals: Choose AI tools that support your learning objectives or work outcomes. Focus on the task you want to accomplish first, then determine whether AI is the right tool to help achieve it.
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Use AI to enhance, not replace, your work: Use generative AI to support teaching learning, and administrative tasks while maintaining your expertise and judgement. For example, AI can help generate ideas for activities, draft communications, create scenarios, or brainstorm authentic assessments, but human review and refinement remain essential.
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Encourage critical evaluation: Treat AI-generated content as a starting point, not a final answer. Verify facts, evaluate the quality and accuracy of responses, consider potential bias, and cite AI appropriately when required. Encourage students to use AI to support learning rather than bypass the learning process.
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Keep people at the center: Use AI in ways that strengthen, not replace, meaningful interactions with students, colleagues, and others. Personal engagement, feedback, mentorship, collaboration, and professional judgment remain essential to effective teaching, learning, and university work.
Learn More/How To's
- Teaching and Learning with Generative AI
- Introduction to AI for Teachers and Students (10:16 mins) by Ethan Mollick & Lilach Mollick
- What are the tools to catch students cheating with GenAI? (7:48 mins) by Dr. Olson & Haney-Withrow.
- Blackboard Ultra AI Design Assistant
Use Cases
- AI in Assignment Design from the Center for Teaching Innovation, Cornell University
- How to implement the use of AI in Maths course? (Haney-Withrow & Olson)
- What is the best use of GenAI in the classroom? (Haney-Withrow & Olson)
Related resources
- Artificial Intelligence at NDSU: Goals, Guidance, and Research - resources for instructors, students, and research work
- AI Use at NDSU - resources for instructors and students along with the AI policy and tools
- What is ChatGPT Doing and Why Does It Work? By Stephen Wolfram
- ChatGPT Assignments to Use in Your Classroom Today Yee, et al. (2023)
- Practical Strategies for Teaching with AI from MIT Teaching & Learning Technologies