Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of many industries, revolutionising the way we work and live. The field of education and online learning is no exception. Today, it is possible to generate an entire online course in a matter of minutes while still incorporating best practices and preferred frameworks. In this article, we will explore such AI tools and how they are used in online courses.
Generative AI refers to technology that can create new content, such as text, images, audio, and even videos, based on the data they have been trained on. Unlike traditional AI systems that are designed to perform specific tasks, generative AI can produce novel output by learning from existing data.
Educators have access to a wide range of generative AI tools to enhance the online course creation experience. These tools can be broadly categorised into two main types: consumer generative AI and embedded generative AI.
Consumer generative AI tools are general purpose AI tools that generate content (text, images, videos, etc.) for end-users, often used directly by consumers or educators to create educational materials. Prompt engineering is required to produce high-quality output.
For example: ChatGPT, Midjourney
Embedded generative AI tools are domain-specific AI tools that are integrated into a platform or system to enhance their functionality. These tools are fine-tuned with pre-engineered prompts and have the ability to reason about specific platform features.
For example: OpenLearning AI Assistant, CourseMagic, Canva Magic Studio
It is possible to use both consumer and embedded generative AI in online learning. However, embedded tools like the OpenLearning AI Assistant and CourseMagic may help course creators to be more efficient by reducing the need for lengthy prompt explanations and transferring content across platforms.
As generative artificial intelligence continues to evolve, a new era of AI tools has emerged. Among the variety of generative AI tools at our disposal, they can be broadly grouped into two main categories:
Content creation is an area of education where AI has significantly changed the game. Generative AI can quickly produce a wide array of educational materials, freeing up educators to focus on providing their teaching expertise. For example:
Personalisation is another area where AI tools are making an impact. By tailoring educational experiences to individual learners, these tools enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes.
Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps students and educators improve their writing by providing real-time feedback on grammar, punctuation, style, and tone. The free version offers essential writing suggestions. The tool uses generative AI to provide writing suggestions, grammar checks, and style improvements based on the context of the text.
Canva for Education provides free access to design tools that help educators and students create engaging visuals, presentations, infographics, and more. It includes templates and easy-to-use design features tailored for educational use. It uses generative AI to suggest design elements, layouts, and templates based on the user's input and content.
WriteWithLaika is an AI-powered writing assistant that mimics a writing team to bounce ideas with. It helps students and educators draft essays, reports, and creative writing pieces, providing real-time feedback and suggestions to improve writing quality. It uses generative AI to provide text suggestions, provide writing prompts, and offer structural improvements based on the content.
The OpenLearning AI Assistant uses GPT-4 from Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI Service to generate engaging content, learning activities and assessments, right within the OpenLearning course authoring platform. It is able to generate:
These outputs can be refined as needed before being published to the platform.
Synthesia allows educators to create AI-generated videos for educational purposes. Users can type in text, which Synthesia then turns into a video featuring AI avatars that can speak multiple languages. It uses generative AI to convert text into video content with AI-generated avatars, making it easier to create instructional and engaging videos.
CourseMagic is an AI instructional designer that enables educators to generate a course using best practices in learning design, customise it for any level, and import it directly into their preferred LMS such as Moodle, Blackboard, D2L, Canvas and OpenLearning.
As educators, and with AI becoming increasingly integrated into educational environments, it's important to know how to use generative AI effectively and responsibly. Here are three basic tips to help you get started with AI in education:
Before implementing AI tools, it's crucial to identify what you hope to achieve. Clearly define your goals and objectives to ensure that the AI tools you choose are aligned with your needs.
Begin with small-scale implementations to familiarise yourself and your team with AI tools. This approach allows you to test the effectiveness of AI in specific areas without overwhelming your resources.
When choosing AI tools, it's important to consider the ease of use, integration capabilities, support, resources, and features that safeguard the privacy of learners.
👉 For more tips, read: AI in Education: Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices
By following these tips, educators can navigate the implementation of AI in their courses and create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.
In conclusion, AI tools have the potential to transform online courses by making them more engaging, personalised, and efficient. By using AI tools, educators can create interactive activities, provide personalised support, and analyse student data to enhance the learning experience. The positive impact of AI tools in online courses is proven, and it is possible for educators to achieve similar outcomes.
Topics: Course Design Tips
