At a recent workshop, UP academics explored how artificial intelligence applications can aid and enhance teaching and learning in higher education.

“Artificial intelligence [AI] is the in-thing, and we all require these skills because they are applicable to all of us, from lecturers to senior management,” said Dean of the Faculty of Education Professor Chika Sehoole at the AI Exploration workshop hosted by The Living Lab for Innovative Teaching at the University of Pretoria (LLITUP).

The workshop brought together UP academics and staff on Groenkloof campus to investigate the possibilities of AI in teaching, learning and research in higher education. The participants acknowledged that innovations like ChatGPT have prompted the higher education sector to explore how these technologies can be optimised ethically and responsibly.

“We are looking at it from a positive perspective and trying to see how we as academic members can embrace this disruptive technology that is almost scaring the world,” said Jody Joubert, manager of the LLITUP research unit. “We are trying to see how we can embrace it in such a way that we can use it to the best of our abilities. What makes this workshop significant is that we are not asking what we can learn from the world or what the world has done, but we are saying that this is our approach towards this disruption.”

The workshop explored generative AI applications like ChatGPT, an advanced language model that is capable of understanding and generating human-like text responses and engaging in natural and interactive conversations; Fliki, an AI-empowered tool for creating audio and video content; Synthesia, which has revolutionised content creation by enabling users to produce professional videos without cameras, microphones or a studio; and GPTZero, an AI text analyser platform that distinguishes between plagiarised and original work. 

Participants learnt, for example, that ChatGPT can give students access to 24-hour tutor support; assist them in summarising information and solving mathematical equations; provide an overview of complex concepts; offer feedback on written work; and improve grammar and sentence structure. At the same time, lecturers can use it to create 10-slide PowerPoint presentations and tables of pros and cons on various topics; translate reports written in other languages into English; generate essay marking schemes; design comprehensive lesson plans; and solve complex mathematical problems for the purposes of learning to teach others.

“Many past technologies were designed to alleviate the burden of physical work, while AI automates certain types of cognitive tasks,” said Prof Gerrit Stols, Director of UP’s Department for Education Innovation. “Generative AI can make humans productive and creative by complementing human labour and creativity. Hybrid human-AI writing or creations will become standard, but humans will remain responsible for the final product.” 

Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence for Teaching and Learning Enhancement is a guide to help lecturers navigate and leverage generative AI for teaching and learning in a responsible, ethical and educational manner.