Student showcase demonstrates AI as a tool for learning, creating
Earlier this month, ASU graduate students at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College presented end-of-year projects that explore the educational and societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
Held in the Creativity Commons atrium on the Tempe campus, the showcase was a collaboration between the Teachers College and ASU Enterprise Technology. It featured a culmination of the semester’s work, taught by Punya Mishra, associate dean of scholarship and innovation at the Teachers College.
Mishra’s students hosted the interactive event, where participants could play with a range of generative AI tools and through that engage with some critical questions related to language, learning, access, creativity, and what these new technologies mean to us, individually and collectively.
Designing together
Mishra’s course, Education by Design, introduced graduate students to explore educational design by working within five key spaces: artifacts, processes, experiences, systems, and culture.
Specifically, this semester, the class focused on the manner in which AI could shape the future of education across these spaces. The final showcase, called “Me|We in AI'', presented projects that explore such topics to allow the broader ASU community to engage with these new tools and ideas.
Students, staff, faculty, and the public were invited to explore the impact of generative AI on learning and education with hands-on activities from creating digital art to music and what differentiates robots from AI, all in the context of teaching and learning.
"[The] event is a testament to the ingenuity of graduate students. They took charge, conceptualized, and executed this AI exploration. Full credit to them for creating the thought-provoking stations, focusing on broader ethical considerations, and overall attention to detail to make this a transformative experience. Frankly, I'm just the guide; they are the architects of this innovative endeavor.”
Beyond play: teaching and learning with AI technologies
Mishra’s students hosted stations focused on how AI tools can bridge language barriers in learning and reading – lending themselves as tools for educators – as well as how to use AI to compose a song or to design an image using text prompts including verbs, nouns, places, artistic styles, and modifiers.
With several books on display at his table, graduate student Kevin Brown took to exploring the integration of AI in literacy. His ultimate goal upon graduation is to incorporate this knowledge within indigenous populations.
"In the realm of education and AI, reading is a gateway to understanding and bridging gaps. As we navigate this uncharted territory, fostering literacy not only enriches minds but also empowers individuals to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence, creating a more inclusive and knowledgeable society."
At another table, student Rezwana Islam’s project focused on how generative AI will impact language, access and community; Islam is a learning literacies and technologies doctoral student.
"Utilizing ChatGPT as a conversational practice tool is transformative for language learning and communication preparation. This innovative approach transcends language barriers, fostering inclusive and confident interactions. As we navigate the evolving landscape of education and AI, the goal is to shape a society where these tools become collaborative companions in our learning journeys."
Practicing AI as a community
Held in conjunction with ASU’s Generative AI Community of Practice meeting, the “Me|We in AI” event captured how educators, technologists, and students can come together to create solutions for the future that benefit each of us.
Sean Leahy, director of creative and emerging technologies at ASU Enterprise Technology, said the event fostered thought-provoking ideas in AI together as a community.
"It's about exploring, questioning, and dreaming together,” he said. “Partnerships and collaborations like this one represent our continued efforts as part of our core priorities to empower student and learner success. Working collaboratively with the teacher’s college allowed us to produce this program that was completely driven, in its design and successful execution by students.”