Pioneering AI-Driven Instructional Design in Small College Settings
Module Summaries and "Looking Ahead" Sections. We are also finding that the end of a learning module is often just as important as its beginning. In on-ground settings, instructors often verbally summarize key points or set the stage for the next session at the end of class. In online courses, the end of a given section often ends abruptly, due to the simple fact that online courses tend to be structured as compartmentalized learning modules. Through the use of generative AI, we have been able to craft concise, coherent summaries that not only wrap up the core learning from the module, but also give students a preview into what will be explored in the upcoming module. Not only does this help with overall course congruency, but we have heard from students that this helps them to see the larger context and value of the course.
Key Takeaways
There's no denying that our exploration into AI in instructional design is still in its infancy and that the more we explore, the more questions we seem to have. While we are excited at the long-term possibilities these approaches hold for our program's growth, we are also acutely aware that we will make errors, and will need to grow and learn from those mistakes. Although the ID work at Lackawanna College is far removed from the cutting-edge developments in machine learning and neural networks at R1 institutions, what we are currently experimenting with is a microcosm of what will be transpiring across the higher ed ID industry in years to come.
In the future, I hope to see a more equitable technology landscape in higher ed, irrespective of institutional size. As an administrator at a smaller college, I believe that taking these small steps in implementing AI into the instructional design process is one of many examples of micro-innovations that bridge the very best of the intimate, small college experience with the world class learning experiences of larger schools. Through that lens, AI shouldn't just be viewed as a tool for creating better learning experiences, but as a true catalyst for driving a more inclusive and equitable future for students at large.
About the Author
Gopu Kiron, Ed.D., is associate dean of eLearning & Information Literacy at Lackawanna College.