The UvA policy currently does not allow students and teachers to use GenAI tools such as ChatGPT for teaching and assessment purposes due to privacy and security issues. Nonetheless, it is good to educate yourself on how ChatGPT and generative AI work and how it can be used responsibly in education. The same yields for students. Therefore, a special e-learning (in english) has been developed for teachers and teaching assistants who want to know more about the responsible use of GenAI in higher education and the impact it can have on your teaching. There is also an e-learning (in english) for students. So they can learn what generative AI is and how to use it responsibly. Also check out the examples of what AI can do for teachers and students.

Check out the e-learning for teachers

Check out the e-learning for students

Examples of what AI can do for teachers and students

GenAI offers new opportunities for teachers and students. Check out the examples below of how AI can improve and support education.

How can students use AI to help them?

Help looking for information
Help managing information, such as organizing data

Help working faster and better, such as automatizing administrative tasks or time management
Understanding complex concepts
Answering questions
Giving real-time feedback, for instance on first drafts
Help with self-study, for instance with flashcard questions

Simulating practice conversations in different languages and (professional) situations
1-on-1 tutoring and coaching. AI can adapt the learning process to an individual pace: it can point to extra practice material or provide more complex tasks for students who are more advanced
Supporting personal learning plans
Supporting students with a disability, for instance by making step-by-step plans, or help getting started
AI is a study buddy that’s always available

Non-native speakers of English are less disadvantaged and can express themselves more easily
Facilitating communication with lecturers and fellow students, especially if there’s a language barrier

How can you help students increase their AI literacy?

Student literacy must also include competent and responsible use of AI. How can you stimulate students to increase their AI literacy?

Analyze how a chatbot generates different texts for different audiences and how it uses different text styles and registers
Look for the sources the chatbot uses
Identify problems with logic, consistency, precision (separating sense from nonsense) and discuss bias and privacy issues in AI-generated texts
Explain that you need to understand the context to determine whether an AI answer is correct
Discuss how effective and efficient AI is for studying and solving problems

Have students correct or critique AI output
Compare different prompts and output
Compare several AI-generated texts
Organize prompt-writing competitions
Have AI generate a good example and have students use this in their work

Have the students invent something new and ask students to test it in reality (such as a boardgame)

How can lecturers use AI to help them?

AI can help prepare classes and assessment and create teaching material. Currently, AI support is still limited at times and depends on the right prompting, but this is changing rapidly.

Which tasks can AI help lecturers with?

Drafting or refining learning outcomes
Drafting or brainstorming lesson plans
Coming up with suggestions for teaching activities and assignments
Drafting rubrics
Drafting a course manual/syllabus

Making step-by-step plans for assignments
Suggesting learning activities
Previewing and evaluating teaching materials (such as textbooks, software, websites)
Suggesting tips for personalizing and differentiating learning activities
Generating (suggestions for) teaching materials

Creating fill-in-the-blanks exercises
Creating texts with spelling mistakes (and an answer key)
Summarizing texts
Generating examples/situations students can apply the theory to during class
Creating examples to discuss during class

Writing scripts for explainer videos
Writing scripts for multimedia teaching material, such as presentations, videos, podcasts
Coming up with ideas for assignments
Creating exam questions and answer keys and checking them (for clarity, for instance)
Creating feedback

Creating sample texts
Suggesting supplementary or supporting teaching materials, such as a list of movies on a certain theme
Suggesting positions/arguments for a debate
Coming up with roleplay scenarios
Writing emails or announcements for students

Easier grading – ask students to submit revised assignments only, for instance