AI as an Instructional Design Tool
Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, can assist faculty to leverage AI effectively as an instructional design tool to streamline course development, organization, and clarity of learning outcomes in impactful ways. How can faculty start using AI for instructional design? Below are several suggestions with instructions to get you started.
Develop Clear and Measurable Learning Outcomes Using AI Prompt Generation:
AI-powered instructional design tools can facilitate the creation and refinement of clearly defined, measurable learning outcomes.
- Instructions for Prompt Generation:
- If you are going to use a prompt to generate learning outcomes, remember to start a new chat with the AI so it does not refer back to information from an earlier conversation.
- Be explicit. Tell the AI who it is acting as, who you are, and the audience for whom the product is for (in this case learning outcomes).
- If you want to use Bloom's Taxonomy in this process, tell the AI.
- Prompt Example:
- "You are an expert curriculum developer. I. the faculty member, am designing a new online course on 'Introduction to Python Programming' for college-level students with little to no coding experience. The course should be self-paced and utilize a hands-on, project-based learning approach. By the end of the course, the students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic Python syntax, data types, control structures, and functions. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, please generate 5-7 learning outcomes that are measurable and specific, focusing on the student's ability to not only understand the concepts but also to apply them in practical coding scenarios. For each outcome, provide a brief description of how the student will demonstrate mastery (e.g., through coding exercises, projects, or quizzes). Please structure your response as follows: Outcome (with Bloom's Taxonomy level), Description of Mastery."
- ChatGPT Prompt Example with Response - please feel free to refine this to your own course!
- Generate Course Outline and Structure:
Generate course outlines that align content, activities, and assessments with overall learning objectives.- Scaffold Course Content Using Modules:
Get engaging instructional content, appropriate learning activities, and relevant resources tailored to specific module objectives by starting with the ChatGPT prompt below. - Prompt Example:
- "You are an expert curriculum developer. I. the faculty member, am designing a new online course on 'Introduction to Python Programming' for college-level students with little to no coding experience. The course should be self-paced and utilize a hands-on, project-based learning approach. By the end of the course, the students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic Python syntax, data types, control structures, and functions. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, please generate 5-7 learning outcomes that are measurable and specific, focusing on the student's ability to not only understand the concepts but also to apply them in practical coding scenarios. For each outcome, provide a brief description of how the student will demonstrate mastery (e.g., through coding exercises, projects, or quizzes). Please structure your response as follows: Outcome (with Bloom's Taxonomy level), Description of Mastery.
Based on the above information, I want you, my instructional designer and assistant curriculum developer, to provide the following for me:
Scaffold Course Content Using Modules: Specifically provide engaging instructional content, appropriate learning activities, and relevant resources tailored to specific module objectives."
- "You are an expert curriculum developer. I. the faculty member, am designing a new online course on 'Introduction to Python Programming' for college-level students with little to no coding experience. The course should be self-paced and utilize a hands-on, project-based learning approach. By the end of the course, the students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic Python syntax, data types, control structures, and functions. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, please generate 5-7 learning outcomes that are measurable and specific, focusing on the student's ability to not only understand the concepts but also to apply them in practical coding scenarios. For each outcome, provide a brief description of how the student will demonstrate mastery (e.g., through coding exercises, projects, or quizzes). Please structure your response as follows: Outcome (with Bloom's Taxonomy level), Description of Mastery.
- ChatGPT Prompt Example with Response - please feel free to refine this to your own course!
- Scaffold Course Content Using Modules:
- Creation of Assessment Rubrics:
- Streamline assessment design by generating clear, precise, and objective rubrics tailored to your course objectives. Input assignment goals or criteria, AI tools can quickly draft comprehensive rubrics that clearly define expectations, proficiency levels, and measurable performance indicators.
- Prompt Example:
"Next, using the information I have provided you so far, create Assessment Rubrics and utilize streamlined assessment design by generating clear, precise, and objective rubrics tailored to the course objectives. Input assignment goals or criteria, draft comprehensive rubrics that clearly define expectations, proficiency levels, and measurable performance indicators".
- ChatGPT Prompt Example with Response - please feel free to refine this to your own course!
Faculty can use AI as a partner to leverage AI tools to organize their course topics into a logical sequence that can vary from foundational concepts to more advanced material. Additional things to consider include the course name, student level, teaching level, topic area, and course type. AI output can be used for any topic, and any level of learner. Please keep in mind that all output requires refinement, user input, and detailed review to ensure accuracy. If you need additional assistance, please schedule a consultation with a CAT associate!