Student AI Case Studies

Real-World Application

Teaching with AI

Strategy: Scaffold Foundational AI Skills Through Structured, Human-Centered Practice 

When AI is the central focus of a course or program, instructional design must intentionally scaffold foundational knowledge, ethical understanding, and practical application of  AI. By sequencing content from basic AI literacy to discipline-specific implementation and embedding guided practice with structured templates and case studies, instructors can help learners build confidence, critical thinking skills, and a human-centered approach to AI integration. 

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EDG 6808 – Introduction to AI in Teaching & EDG 6385 – AI In and Out of the Classroom 

In EDG 6808 Introduction to AI in Teaching and Learning and EDG 6385 AI In and Out of the Classroom, Stephanie Arthur partnered with Digital Learning Designer Meghan Wieckowski to design the first two foundational courses in the Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning graduate certificate program. Unlike many courses that incorporate AI as a supplementary tool, these courses focus on AI as the core subject of study. 911±¬ÁÏÍø engaged with a range of AI tools, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Copilot, MagicSchool, and TeacherServer, through structured walkthroughs, guided practice, and applied assignments. 

Assignments were evaluated on a complete/incomplete basis to emphasize experimentation, comfort-building, and reflection rather than performance perfection. 911±¬ÁÏÍø in this course practice prompt engineering, lesson design, assessment creation, and strategic implementation using structured templates that scaffold AI prompting and progressively incorporate instructional planning elements. These templates were designed to be flexible, allowing learners to adapt and expand their use of AI over time. 

Real-world case studies were also embedded throughout both courses, prompting students to analyze how AI is, or could be, used in classroom settings. 911±¬ÁÏÍø are encouraged to reflect critically on AI-generated outputs, adapt them thoughtfully, and consistently return to a human-centered approach that prioritizes learners, ethics, and professional judgment. 

Tools Used: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, MagicSchool, TeacherServer 

Digital Learning Designer Tips 

  1. Provide clear instructions, walkthroughs, and expectations as if students are using AI tools for the first time. This supports students with varying levels of experience. 
  2. When prompting is central to the activity, provide example prompts and structured templates to guide students toward meaningful, aligned outputs. 
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Meghan Wieckowski, Digital Learning Designer 

 

Quick Details

Faculty Developer: Stephanie Arthur, Ph.D.

College: USF College of Education

Learning Designer: Meghan Wieckowski

AI Tools Used: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, MagicSchool, TeacherServer