By Lew Ludwig

As we navigate through our third year of integrating generative AI into higher education, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this technology will not quietly fade away like MOOCs (remember those?). Not only are students already using a variety of AI technologies, but employers also expect graduates to possess AI skills. Consequently, students are seeking guidance and clarity on how to effectively use AI.

As the director of my institution’s teaching center, I've had extensive experience conducting AI workshops and webinars. This journey has provided a unique vantage point into the evolving dynamics of generative AI in education. One persistent and troubling trend stands out among college instructors, a pattern that can be likened to the scenario of a blind shepherd leading a wandering flock:

• The Shepherd Lacks Sight: Many instructors are unfamiliar with generative AI, leaving them unable to effectively guide their students in its use.

• The Flock Wanders Aimlessly: Without proper direction, students misuse AI, opting for quick answers over deep learning.

• The Shepherd Closes the Gate: In response to this misuse, some instructors completely prohibit AI, further curtailing students’ ability to navigate these tools responsibly.

• The Flock Remains Lost: Consequently, neither instructors nor students develop the necessary skills to effectively harness AI, leaving them unprepared for both its challenges and opportunities.

But does closing the gate truly provide a safe haven for our students? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Much like sheep confined by a gate, students restricted from using AI miss out on critical opportunities for growth and development:

• Access to Fresh Pastures: Just as sheep miss the fresh grass of open fields, students miss out on the new opportunities that generative AI offers, such as enhanced creativity, personalized learning, and efficient problem-solving.

• Development of Independence: Analogous to sheep that never learn to navigate the wider world, students shielded from AI remain dependent on traditional methods, leaving them unprepared to use these tools critically and independently in their education and future careers.

• Growth Through Exploration: Similar to how exploring new environments helps sheep grow stronger and more adaptable, engaging with AI fosters students' development of critical thinking, ethical judgment, and adaptability—skills essential for navigating a world where AI is increasingly pervasive.

• Missed Opportunities for Collaboration: Like sheep that don't interact with a broader ecosystem, students cut off from AI miss learning how to collaborate effectively using these tools, a competency increasingly valued in the workforce.

Instead of isolating students from these valuable tools, we should adopt a balanced approach where instructors guide the responsible use of AI. By setting clear boundaries while still allowing room for growth and exploration, we empower students to take ownership of their learning. This fosters a sense of agency, enabling them to make informed decisions about when and how to use AI responsibly. This not only prepares students for future careers but also ensures they are capable of effectively navigating an increasingly AI-integrated world.

Removing the blinders

Herein lies the rub: How do we remove the blinders from the shepherd, from ourselves? To be clear, this is not a task that someone else can accomplish for us—and that’s actually a good thing. In your classroom, you are the expert. You understand the context of your setting, your students, and your course content better than anyone else. You are uniquely qualified to determine how AI can be effectively integrated into your teaching or not. However, before you can do this, you must first grasp AI yourself. Imagine trying to teach your students to write code in Wolfram Alpha without having any knowledge of how Wolfram Alpha works. Just as with any tool, understanding its functions and limitations is essential before you can teach others to use it effectively.

How do you get started?

Begin by creating a free account with one of the leading models: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Llama. Then start querying it about topics you know well:

• "I am teaching limits in an introductory calculus course. Give me 10 interesting ways to introduce this topic to students that they will find engaging."

• "Put this complicated math idea into simpler terms for my introductory students."

• "Here are the instructions for my project in class X, please suggest ways to make the directions clearer using the TILT format (Transparency in Learning and Teaching)."

Need some additional support?

Consider the AI Pedagogy Project from the metaLAB (at) Harvard. This interactive guide, written for newcomers, will give you the background you need to feel more confident engaging in conversations about AI in your classroom.

Our work ahead

As we continue to journey through the evolving landscape of generative AI in education, the imperative for us as educators is clear: we must lead by example in mastering these tools to effectively guide our students. The responsibility to adapt and innovate rests with us—the experts in our classrooms. As we deepen our understanding of AI, we learn to strategically use it—knowing when it enhances learning and when it’s best to set it aside. I encourage you to take the initiative: start by experimenting with AI yourself, use resources like the AI Pedagogy Project to deepen your understanding, and bring this knowledge into your classrooms. Together, let's transition from basic familiarity with AI to a nuanced understanding of it, empowering our students to discern when AI can provide meaningful support to their learning and when stepping away from technology to engage in hands-on problem solving and critical thinking leads to stronger and more impactful learning experiences.

What’s new

I am always impressed by a good infographic. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and an infographic can easily convey a message, whether in a classroom example, a presentation, or a paper. However, creating them has always been a challenge for me—until now. Napkin.ai is an AI-powered platform that transforms text into visually engaging graphics in seconds. It's designed to help you create professional-looking diagrams, charts, flowcharts, and infographics without requiring extensive design skills. For instance, it took me over 30 minutes to create the timeline below using Google Slides. Napkin.ai generated the second image in about 15 seconds. Not only was this a huge time-saver, but I also found its version more visually appealing. Give this free app a try; you might be surprised by the stories it can help you tell.

Lew Ludwig is a professor of mathematics and the Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching at Denison University. An active member of the MAA, he recently served on the project team for the MAA Instructional Practices Guide and was the creator and senior editor of the MAA’s former Teaching Tidbits blog.