What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) was first defined as the "science and engineering of making intelligent machine" by emeritus Professor John McCarthy (Manning, 2020). The expansion of intelligent machine boils down to the creation of a technological and/or physical machine/tool that is designed to carry out a particular task.

AI Tools Around Us

What are some everyday artificially intelligent tools/machines that help us? Because of our hectic lifestyles, it is imperative to navigate with some assistance. "AI is a ubiquitous concept and tool already found across society and an integral part of everyday life" (Southworth et al., 2023). Therefore, knowingly and unbeknownst to us, most of us use AI tools to help us accomplish critical tasks including:

Face ID: this feature is quite popular on our smartphones. We use it for securing our devices, and content based accounts such as our banking applications (apps). Machine learning algorithms are used to detect your facial features to reduce the likelihood of someone else accessing your device and personal accounts.

Google Search: we use this favorable browser to access academic papers or an interesting cooking video tutorial. This browser and others rely on AI (natural language process, and machine learning) to ensure you get the top results personalized to your preference. Some browsers will also allocate results based on your geolocation.

Banking: our finances are imperative and require optimal security and privacy. Many financial institutions provide convenience and security. For instance, securely scanning your check via your smartphone to make a deposit into your account relies heavily on AI functions. Another everyday use of AI in transactions is using our bank cards to purchase groceries. All machines involved in carrying out these tasks rely on some form of AI (natural language processing and/or machine learning) to output these tasks.

(Marr, 2019)

AI in Curriculum Practice

Because contemporary academia is heavily reliant on digital devices to facilitate both teaching and learning, AI tools cannot be ignored. More so, it is important to integrate AI tools to enhance the teaching and learning process rather than avoid it wholeheartedly. Some critical reasons for using AI in curriculum practice:

Increase learner centered experiences - AI tools save instructors time by assisting in the completion of tasks such as grading, rubric building, etc. Extra time means more time for the crucial things such as meeting with students, and/or giving them feedback for meaningful learning (Southworth et al., 2023).

Ease of providing students with multiple examples and explanations for complex topics and concepts - Finding multiple examples can be ghastly time consuming. However, AI generator tools can provide these examples swiftly, thus limiting the time needed (Mollick & Mollick, 2023).

The following are prompt examples used in current AI tools in 2024. Names of these AI tools are subject to change at any time.

Selective Explanation via ChatGPT

You
Can you explain microwave engineering to freshman students?

ChatGPT

Certainly! Explaining microwave engineering to freshman students in a simple and understandable way is important. Here's a basic overview:

Microwave Engineering for Freshman Students:

Microwave engineering is like a special branch of electrical engineering that deals with something called "microwaves." No, we're not talking about the microwave oven in your kitchen, but rather a type of energy that's really useful for a lot of things.

Multiple Explanations via ChatGPT

You
Can you provide multiple ways to explain microwave engineering?

ChatGPT

Certainly! Microwave engineering can be explained in various ways depending on the level of technical detail and the audience's familiarity with the subject. Here are several explanations ranging from simple to more technical:

Simple Explanation: Microwave engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that focuses on the study, design, and application of devices and systems that operate using electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency range. These waves have wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter and are commonly used in technologies like microwave ovens, wireless communication, radar systems, and satellite communication.
Everyday Analogy: Think of microwave engineering like managing traffic on a highway. Just as traffic flows smoothly along a highway, microwave engineers work to ensure that electromagnetic signals flow smoothly through various devices and systems. They design and optimize components like antennas, amplifiers, and transmission lines to efficiently transmit and receive signals without interference, much like managing the flow of vehicles on a road.
Technical Explanation: Microwave engineering deals with the analysis, design, and optimization of devices and systems that operate at microwave frequencies, typically ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. This field encompasses the study of electromagnetic wave propagation, transmission lines, waveguides, antennas, microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits (MICs), and microwave systems such as radar, satellite communication, and wireless networks. Microwave engineers utilize principles from electromagnetics, circuit theory, and signal processing to develop high-performance microwave devices and systems for various applications.

Image and Code prompts

Prompt - Can you show me art work from low renaissance art movement period?

Gemini - Here are some of the most famous Low Renaissance artworks:

The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck (1434): This painting is considered one of the masterpieces of Low Renaissance art. It is a double portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini, a wealthy Italian merchant, and his wife, Giovanna Cenami. The painting is remarkable for its use of oil paints, its meticulous attention to detail, and its realistic portrayal of the couple.

The Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck (1432): This large polyptych altarpiece is one of the most complex and ambitious works of art created in the Low Renaissance. It depicts a variety of biblical scenes, from the Creation of the World to the Last Judgment. The altarpiece is famous for its use of oil paints, its rich symbolism, and its detailed portrayal of landscapes and figures.

Code Prompt via Gemini

Prompt - What is the difference between CSS and HTML?

Gemini - Both HTML and CSS are fundamental building blocks for creating web pages, but they serve distinct purposes:

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language):

Function: Defines the structure and content of a web page.
Components: Uses tags and attributes to specify different elements on the page, such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, and forms.
Example: <p>This is a paragraph of text.</p>

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):

Function: Controls the visual presentation of a web page.
Components: Uses selectors to target specific HTML elements and then defines properties and values to style them.
Example: body { background-color: lightblue; } h1 { color: darkred; }

Lessening the burden of rubric creation - Generative AI in Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Blackboard Learn Ultra, can produce standardized rubrics for instructors (Anthology, 2023) that can either:
- Jumpstarts the rubric creation process for new instructors.
- Provides examples of a consistent rubric.
- Allows for comparison of each criterion within the generated rubric for better application.
- Helps users pay attention to assessment frameworks, such as Bloom's Taxonomy, when designing rubrics and structuring courses.

AI Rubric Generator Blackboard Ultra

Outlook

An instructor with expertise in his/her topic ultimately determines whether the information produced by the AI tool is accurate, substantial, without bias, and would meet the learning outcomes of the course. Mollick & Mollick (2023) indicate that the expertise of the instructor is correlated with the output of generated materials produced by AI tools.

Additionally, you can explore and experiment with Blackboard Ultra AI Design Assistant tool by using an Ultra Course View Sandbox. In your sandbox you can explore with the various AI tools. If you do not have an Ultra Course View Sandbox visit Ultra Course View Orientation to sign up for orientation and acquire a sandbox.

Anthology (2023). Empower Instructors with AI. Retrieved from: https://www.anthology.com/ai.design-assistant

HolonIQ (2023). Artificial Intelligence in Education. 2023 Survey Insights. Retrieved from: https://www.holoniq.com/notes/artificial-intelligence-in-education-2023-survey-insights

Manning, C. (2020). Artificial Intelligence Definitions. Retrieved from: https://hai.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/AI-Definitions-HAI.pdf

Marr, B. (2019). The 10 Best Example of How AI is Already Used in Our Lives. Retrieved from:https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/12/16/the-10-best-examples-of-how-ai-is-already-used-in-our-everyday-life/?sh=2020078f1171

Mollick, E. & Mollick, L. (2023). Using AI to implement effective teaching strategies inclassrooms: Five strategies, including prompts. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4391243

Southworth, J., Migliaccio, K., Glover, J., Glover, J., Reed, D., McCarty, C., Brendemuhl, J., & Thomas, A. (2023). Developing a model for AI across the curriculum: Transforming the higher education landscape via innovation in AI literacy. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence 4. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100127

Blackboard

AI in Everyday Usage and Curriculum Application