As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow and evolve, professors are tasked with exploring the ways that this advancing technology can fit into the classroom. When asked whether AI is beneficial or harmful for students within the classroom, four professors unanimously agreed that AI is beneficial, in a multitude of ways.
William Schneider, Assistant Professor of Physical Education, stated that it could be helpful because “Physical Education students and teachers can sometimes use AI for curriculum, unit and lesson planning especially if they find a job that includes other duties like coaching. The downfall of using AI is that they cannot be dependent on the information that is being received. We have experimented with AI in Methods classes and have found that several important areas of instruction have not been included for a quality P.E. lesson”.
Brian Walker, Dean of Student Life, agreed with AI being beneficial for students. Additionally he said, “I don’t encourage or discourage AI usage in any of the classes I teach. It can be a valuable resource if used appropriately”.
Andy Walsh, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, said, “Beneficial vs. harmful is a bit of a false dichotomy. I see both advantages and disadvantages to students using AI. When not properly understood, the use of AI is like a calculator in the hands of someone who does not know why they are using a calculator. It can also give students a false sense of confidence in their mastery of a subject”.
Amanda (Mandy) Tarpening, Chaplain, stated, “If a student is looking for an idea to get started, AI is a great place to start! I would rather students learn to use it as a tool to assist and not to rely on it as the only way to find information”.
As Culver-Stockton professors and students explore the usage of AI in higher education, it becomes inherently clear that AI is here to stay. The challenge is not within resisting the technology and its advancements, but it lies within how it is used. With guidance from faculty and staff, students can use AI as a tool to enhance their learning experiences.
