Engaging Students in Implementing Generative Artificial Intelligence
TL;DR
An assignment developed for a large-enrollment, 100-level, general-education, environmental science course at the University of Arizona that provides students with structured opportunities to experiment with and critically evaluate GenAI tools.
Abstract
The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into educational settings has created both opportunities and challenges for student learning. While GenAI adoption in education continues to grow, instructors remain divided about its educational value and appropriate usage. To further complicate matters, instructors are learning in real-time how this new and rapidly evolving tool works. Here, we describe an assignment developed for a large-enrollment, 100-level, general-education, environmental science course at the University of Arizona (RNR 150: Sustainable Earth) that provides students with structured opportunities to experiment with and critically evaluate GenAI tools. The assignment requires students to create a public facing infographic about water conservation using Piktochart's GenAI platform and then to evaluate and edit the style, format, and content of the AI output. Students then complete reflective writing analyzing the strengths and limitations of AI-generated content. Students completing this assignment in spring 2025 generally responded positively to using GenAI as a tool to support their thinking and effort, recognizing the importance of GenAI now and in their future.