Generative AI

Generative AI in Teaching & Learning

Generative Artificial Intelligence (or "Gen AI" for short) refers to the subset of AI technologies that use large-scale models trained on existing data to identify patterns, respond to prompts, and generate new content such as text, images, music, or video. While generative AI presents new challenges for teaching and learning, it also opens incredible new opportunities to enhance creativity, reflection, and learner engagement when AI use is informed, ethical, and guided by clearly defined learning outcomes.

CETL provides guidance and resources to support faculty:

  • developing AI literacy around teaching and learning, including responsible and ethical uses of GenAI,
  • using GenAI tools to support course design, development, and teaching workflows,
  • designing GenAI-aware assignments to achieve student learning outcomes.

Email us at cetl@ndnu.edu to set up a time to discuss GenAI in your instruction.

Gen AI Policy Considerations

Current AI policies are formalized in the Student Handbook and in policies/syllabus statements for each school, defining how generative AI tools may be used in courses. Faculty are encouraged to craft their own AI policy for their courses and assignments in alignment with their school and discipline.

Whatever your AI policy is in the course, it's important to remember that your students will likely use AI in their professional lives. Some questions worth taking seriously as you consider your specific course policy re: Gen AI:

  • Is "knowing how to use AI well" a learning outcome in your course? If yes, build it explicitly. If no, be clear why not.
  • Are you clear and transparent in your syllabus policy (and specific assignments) about when and how AI may be used?
  • Are your assignments AI-aware? i.e. have you run your assignments through a subscription-based AI tool (Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT)? Does human judgment and critical thinking remain central to the learning in your assignments?
  • How will students you graduate use AI in their work in five years? What should they know to use it ethically and effectively?
  • Might your course include at least one assignment that practices AI critique — using AI on something and then evaluating where it helped and where it failed?
  • How will you model ethical AI use and guide students in using AI legally, ethically, and equitably?

GenAI Resources

Bowen, J.A. and Watson, C.E., Teaching with AI (Second Edition, 2025) provides an introduction to thinking, teaching, and learning with AI and is recommended as a starting point for faculty new to the topic of GenAI. 

Additional resources on GenAI to help deepen your AI literacy and provide guidance as you explore teaching/learning in the AI age:

ACUE, 10 Best Practices for AI Assignments in Higher Education offers simple tips to guide experimentation with AI in assignments.

Alchemy, AI and ChatGPT Resources for Higher Education is an excellent archive of recorded webinars on teaching with AI topics and additional resources.

ASU, Online AI Labs shares a number of powerful AI-based tools, including a Rubric Generator.

Bowen & Watson, WeTeachwithAI is a useful companion website to Teaching with AI, 2025.

CUNY, AI Academic Hub is a comprehensive resource. See especially AI for Learning Resources and AI for Teaching & Faculty Development.

Educause, AI Literacy in Teaching and Learning: Executive Summary provides a useful four-part framework for thinking about AI literacy and includes guidance on developing AI literacy for students, faculty, and staff.

Georgetown University, Artificial Intelligence Toolkit offers a useful overview of Gen AI, practical tips for selecting AI tools, a list of tools depending on the task, and suggestions about how to design assessments.

Harvard metaLAB,  AI Pedagogy Project provides a step-by-step introduction to AI, tools to explore LLMs, and example assignments to try in your teaching.

National Center for AI (a UK nonprofit), Generative AI Primer, an entry-level overview of GenAI tools and topics.

Stanford Teaching Commons, Artificial Intelligence Teaching Guide focuses on the practical and pedagogical aspects of AI tools in the classroom, including the use of chatbots.

University of Sydney, AI for Educators (Canvas) is a comprehensive resource for faculty. See also their student-facing AI for Education (Canvas).