AI Ate My Homework

Dr. Shawnise Miller, Dr. Emi Ramirez, and Dr. Jennifer Bobo from the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science share how they moved from initial AI apprehension to intentional, practical classroom use. They offer concrete examples, including Blackboard's built-in AI for rubrics, ChatGPT for instructional support, and their own AI teaching assistant, "Smarty Bird." This candid conversation highlights both benefits and limitations of these tools in the classroom. Rather than centering AI as a solution, the conversation reframes it as a teaching assistant that helps guide students back to faculty judgment, feedback, and expertise. What does it mean to stay current with technology without losing what makes teaching human?

Dr. Andrea Olinger and Cecilia Durbin return to the scene of the crime in this episode of "AI Ate My Homework." Previously, AI took on their research assignment, and the results revealed how students' approach to classroom work is shifting.The conversation broadens to look at what that shift means for teachers. They talk through process, reading, metacognition, and grading. They ask the question of what still belongs in a writing class and what might change.The result is a candid look at teaching in transition and the tough decisions educators face.

Dr. Andrea Olinger, Director of Composition, and instructor Cecilia Durbin walk us through a multi-part "detective story" research assignment sequence. These assignments, designed to slow students down and think critically, emphasize process over product. Listen as we discuss how the AI tool mimics student voice, (sometimes) cites real world sources, and even exceeds some of the expectations for these assignments. What is lost when students use an AI tool to skip past the messy process of thinking, writing, and learning?

Dr. Jason Cumberledge, professor of Performance Studies, describes how GenAI tools can complete major writing assignments, even anecdotal, personal stories, in a marching band methods course. Listen as we discuss how creative disciplines are adapting to the advent of AI and consider what the work of music educators may be as these tools become more ubiquitous.

In our second episode of "AI Ate My Homework," exercise physiology professor Dr. Jason Jaggers evaluates an AI-completed cardiovascular case study assignment. The analysis reveals fascinating insights about AI's capabilities and limitations in health sciences education. While the AI correctly calculated the patient's risk factors and measurements, it showed distinct "tells" that distinguished it from genuine student work—following an unusual question format, showing calculations when students typically don't, and adding unrequested recommendations. Dr. Jaggers notes that AI excelled at technical aspects but lacked contextual knowledge specific to his classroom teaching. The discussion explores potential assignment redesigns that could leverage AI as a complementary tool rather than an obstacle, including having students critically evaluate AI-generated responses. As we navigate the rapidly evolving educational landscape, Dr. Jaggers encourages a balanced approach emphasizing the importance of teaching students to use these tools ethically and effectively in their future careers.

In our third episode of "AI Ate My Homework," strategic communications professor Dr. Karen Freberg shares valuable insights on AI's role in education through her personal branding assignment. Using a memorable "vanilla cupcake" metaphor, she explains how AI creates technically competent but ultimately soulless content lacking the authentic reflection that makes student work meaningful. Listen as we discuss how to leverage AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity—teaching students to use AI-generated images to visualize their personal brand while critically reflecting on its accuracy. As industry increasingly expects AI literacy, Dr. Freberg advocates for teaching prompt engineering as a crucial skill and encourages faculty to experiment alongside students rather than fear these new technologies.

In our inaugural episode of "AI Ate My Homework," Dr. Jay Byland from Sport Administration reflects on how AI transforms classroom dynamics through a deceptively simple leadership meme assignment. The discussion reveals how AI can produce technically correct responses while missing crucial course-specific content—demonstrating both the tool's capabilities and limitations. Dr. Byland shares a refreshing perspective on AI as an inevitable classroom presence that requires adaptation rather than resistance, comparing it to teaching digital natives to use technology responsibly.The conversation explores how assignments can be designed to leverage AI as a creative tool while still ensuring authentic learning, using the metaphor of basketball to explain that students need to "dribble with purpose" rather than simply going through motions. This episode offers practical insights for educators navigating the evolving relationship between traditional teaching approaches and emerging AI technologies.