Structuring the Use of Generative AI for In-Class Activities

In this solo episode of the Prof Talk Pod, host Becky Achen shares how Generative AI is shifting the way I design active learning in the classroom.It’s no surprise that students have started leaning on ChatGPT to breeze through in-class activities. While the "quick answer" is tempting, our goal is to move them toward intentional, critical use of these tools. In this episode, you will learn about:A structured process for in-class activities that prioritizes human brainstorming and root-cause identification before bringing in technology.How to guide students to use ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot to fill specific knowledge gaps, rather than outsourcing the entire solution.Using LLMs to poke holes in human ideas and refine them before a final pitch.Why you should demonstrate how you use AI so students see the process in action.We don’t want our students to be "lazy AI users." To help get students ready for the workplace, scaffold AI use in your own courses, explain the "why" behind your constraints, and lead by example.