Harnessing AI for Course Design and Idea Generation

Generative AI can be particularly effective for course design and idea generation. The key to creating usable content from AI lies in the art of prompting. Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting effective prompts:

1. Define Objectives: Clearly outline the learning goals for the discussion. Are you aiming to deepen understanding, encourage critical thinking, or facilitate peer interaction?
   
   
2. Provide Context: Input detailed course content or specific themes into the AI. The more context provided, the more accurate and relevant the generated prompts will be.
   
   
3. Customize and Refine: Review and refine the AI-generated prompts. Customize them to align perfectly with your course requirements and ensure they meet your educational standards.

A Template for Generating Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Here's a detailed prompt template you can use with generative AI to create engaging discussion topics for an online asynchronous course:

Objective: Create engaging and open-ended discussion topics aligned with measurable learning objectives for an online asynchronous course. The topics should promote critical thinking and facilitate in-depth exploration of the subject matter.

Subject: [Specify the subject of the course, e.g., Environmental Science, History of Art, Business Ethics, etc.]

Learning Objective: [Specify the measurable learning objective, e.g., "Analyze the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity," "Evaluate the influence of Renaissance art on modern Western aesthetics," "Discuss ethical considerations in corporate governance," etc.]

 

Instructions for AI:

1. Generate a list of 5 to 10 discussion topics directly related to the specified learning objective.
2. Ensure each topic is open-ended, promoting multiple viewpoints and in-depth discussion rather than simple yes/no answers.
3. Topics should encourage students to apply concepts from course materials, integrate external sources, and relate content to real-world applications.
4. Each topic should be phrased as a question or prompt requiring critical analysis, evaluation, or synthesis of information.

 

Expected Outcome:

- Discussion topics will be used in weekly online course forums.

- Topics should be engaging enough to encourage active participation, fostering collaborative learning and intellectual exchange.

- Each topic should be scalable in complexity to cater to both novice and advanced learners, allowing all students to contribute meaningfully based on their understanding and research.

Putting the Prompt into Action

Let's see how this prompt works in practice. We'll use an Art Appreciation course as an example, with the learning objective:

"Evaluate the influence of Renaissance art on modern Western aesthetics."

Here are the AI-generated discussion topics:

1. The Renaissance Relevance: How do you see the influence of Renaissance art in today's modern Western aesthetics? Provide examples from both periods to support your viewpoint.
2. Artistic Techniques: Discuss how techniques pioneered during the Renaissance, such as perspective and chiaroscuro, are still used in modern Western art. Can you find examples of these techniques in contemporary works?
3. Humanism in Art: The Renaissance marked a shift towards humanism and individualism. How has this influenced the portrayal of the human form in modern Western art?
4. Religion and Art: Compare the representation of religious themes in Renaissance art and modern Western art. How has the interpretation and presentation of these themes evolved?
5. Art and Society: How did the societal changes during the Renaissance period influence the art of that time? Can you draw parallels with any societal changes in the modern era that have influenced Western aesthetics?
6. Influence on Modern Movements: How have Renaissance principles influenced modern art movements like Impressionism, Cubism, or Abstract Expressionism?
7. Renaissance in Pop Culture: Can you identify influences of Renaissance art in today's popular culture (movies, TV shows, music videos, etc.)?
8. Renaissance vs. Modern Art: If a Renaissance artist were to suddenly appear in today's world, what aspects of modern Western aesthetics would they find most surprising or familiar?
9. The Role of Patrons: Discuss the role of patrons during the Renaissance and compare it with the role of art investors today. How has this relationship shaped the evolution of art?
10. Art and Technology: How has the advent of technology influenced the appreciation and creation of art compared to the Renaissance period?

Aligning with Bloom's Taxonomy

To further refine these prompts, we can analyze them according to Bloom's Taxonomy. This helps in understanding the level of cognitive engagement each prompt requires:

1. The Renaissance Relevance: Analysis (High-Level Thinking)
2. Artistic Techniques: Application (Mid-Level Thinking)
3. Humanism in Art: Comprehension (Low-Level Thinking)
4. Religion and Art: Synthesis (High-Level Thinking)
5. Art and Society: Evaluation (High-Level Thinking)
6. Influence on Modern Movements: Analysis (High-Level Thinking)
7. Renaissance in Pop Culture: Application (Mid-Level Thinking)
8. Renaissance vs. Modern Art: Synthesis (High-Level Thinking)
9. The Role of Patrons: Evaluation (High-Level Thinking)
10. Art and Technology: Analysis (High-Level Thinking)

This analysis allows you to ensure a mix of low, mid, and high-level thinking skills across your discussion prompts, facilitating scaffolded learning experiences for your students.

Conclusion

As we've explored, generative AI offers a powerful tool for crafting engaging discussion prompts that can elevate online learning experiences. By following the steps outlined - defining objectives, providing context, and refining AI-generated content - instructors can create discussion topics that span various levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, catering to diverse learning needs.

And remember, AI is a complement to your expertise, not a replacement. Your critical evaluation and customization of these prompts ensure they align with your course goals and resonate with your students. As you integrate this approach into your online teaching toolkit, you may find that it not only saves time but also opens new avenues for fostering deep, meaningful discussions in your virtual classrooms.

The future of online education is collaborative - between instructors, students, and innovative tools like AI. Embrace this synergy, and watch your online discussions flourish.

Meet the Author

Zachary Dubuisson is an instructional designer for Lamar University whose expertise is in educational technology and storytelling. He assist instructors in developing courses that integrate innovative teaching methods while boosting student engagement. He is also interested in how the ethical use of AI technologies can enhance student learning experiences.