Using Generative AI to Support Learning

Using Generative ai to support learning

Center for Academic success

Elianne Rojas Reading & Learning Coordinator

aGENDA

BENEFITS & DRAWBACKS

WHAT IS AI?

INTRODUCTION

LET'S PRACTICE

RESPONSIBLE USE

PROMPT ENGINEERING

QUESTIONS & SURVEY

lET'S CHAT

• If an LLM could take over one of your least favorite academic tasks, what would it be?
• Why?

• Raise your hand: Who has used LLM's (CHATBOT) for school?
• For what task?

Let's Review

Benefits

+ info

&

DRAWBACKS

+ info

wHAT IS GENERATIVE AI?

Is a pattern predictor, not a fact checker

Large language Models

Is not the same as a search engine

Is not a replacement for thinking

ai can guide your learning, but mastery comes from your own reflection

Ways to use llms

Writing & Reflection

Reading Support

Learning Support

Let's Practice

Activity 1:AI BRAINSTORM & EVALUATION

Objective: Use AI to generate (5) ideas on a topic, then evaluate which ideas are practical and which spark creativity. This activity demonstrates how AI can help start ideas without replacing human judgment.

Directions Cont.

Step 2

Step 3

Share & Reflect

• Share one practical idea and one creative idea.

• Reflect on how AI can be used as a tool for inspiration, but YOUR judgment decides what is feasible and valuable.

Goal: Clearly state your goal/purpose.

Designing an effective prompt

Extra Context: Provide relevant details or background infromation

Task: Specify the desired reponse format (provide an example if possible)

Better prompts yield better answers, but even great prompts can’t guarantee great answers

Example of "GET"

Scenario: A biology major is taking a mandatory introductory chemistry course and is having difficulty grasping the practical importance of balancing chemical equations and calculating precise molarity for solutions. The student understands the theory but finds the meticulous, time-consuming preparation work "boring" and "pointless," often leading to failed reactions in the lab.

Let's Practice

Responsible Use

Analyze & Prioritize

Lead THE WAY

Use Responsibly

verify outputs

Resources

Knowledge is Power!

FIU Library Guide

ICLCA Summer 2025 Issue

FIU Develop Course

Thank you!

Questions?

Writing/Reading Support

• Summarize Readings
• Ex: Use AI to condense long chapters or journal articles.
• Verify that key points and sources are accurate.
• Rephrase for Understanding
• Ask AI to reword complex definitions to aid comprehension,
• Don’t use rewording to avoid paraphrasing your own work.
• Organize Work
• Have AI help outline essays or research papers.
• You decide what structure and ideas to keep — not the AI.

Large Language Models (LLMs)

A kind of generative AI focused on human language. Trained on massive amounts of text, they can write, summarize, answer questions, and help students learn.

Example in daily life:

• ChatGPT: explains difficult topics, drafts essays, and generates study questions.

Writing & reflection

• Practice and Review
• Ex: Use AI to quiz you or simulate a study partner.
• Use this to test your knowledge, not to earn grades.

• Drafting Support
• Ask AI for a bulleted rough draft or intro to overcome writer’s block.
• Always revise so your final submission is in your own voice.
• Mechanics Feedback
• Use AI to check/provide feedback on grammar or phrasing for clarity.
• Don’t let AI rewrite entire assignments.
• Reflect and Plan
• Ask AI to suggest study goals or time-management tips.
• AI can guide planning, but reflection must come from you.

Deep Learning (DL)

A type of ML that uses layered neural networks to handle complex tasks. It powers modern breakthroughs like voice recognition and image analysis.

Example in daily life:

• Face ID : unlocks your phone by recognizing your facial features.

Risk of over-reliance

Potential for misinformation

Lack of context

Reduced human connections

Disrupted flow of finishing a task

Concerns with authenticity

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The broad field of making machines perform tasks that seem “smart.” It includes everything from self-driving cars to chatbots.

Example in daily life:

• Tesla Autopilot: uses AI to navigate and make driving decisions.

Personalized learning

24/7 availability

Immediate feedback

Improved accessibility

Time management help

Potential for deeper reflection

Learning support

• Generate ideas
• Ex: Use AI to brainstorm essay topics or project angles.
• Treat results as inspiration, not final choices.

• Clarify Concepts
• Ask AI to explain difficult theories in simpler terms. Create analogies.
• Double-check with your textbook or instructor.
• Create Study Tools
• Have AI generate flashcards or quiz questions for review.
• Compare answers with reliable course materials.

Machine Learning (ML)

A subset of AI where machines learn from data to improve over time. Instead of being programmed step by step, they find patterns in examples.

Example in daily life:

• Spotify’s recommendation system: learns your music taste and suggests new songs.

Generative AI

A branch of deep learning that doesn’t just analyze data — it creates new content like text, images, music, or code.

Example in daily life:

• DALL·E: generates original images from text prompts.