Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences in the Era of GenerativeAI: Case Studies from around Ireland
As part of this project we invited colleagues from Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences departments in universities across the island of Ireland to participate in a one-day workshop, held in UCD in May 2024. Featuring 25 short presentations by staff from eight different universities, the workshop explored what teaching, learning and assessment might mean for our subjects in the era of generative AI. It proved to be a day of conversation, of sharing experiences, comparing notes, and exchanging ideas.
Many of these presentations have now been written up as case-studies so they can continue to inform and inspire others. Contributors were asked to follow a specific template and to reflect on the influence of Universal Design for Learning on their approach to their teaching practice or assessment. Inspired by the UCD University for All Case Study series, this book aims to provide easily transferable discipline-specific case studies of practical value to higher education staff.
Much uncertainty lies ahead regarding the future of generative AI and its impact on higher education. The technology and tools are constantly shifting and it is impossible to keep pace with each new development. The case studies presented here are a snapshot in time, reflecting generative AI use in 2024, but the core issues remain constant, as do our efforts to engage our students. The following chapters offer examples of engaging and innovative means of assessment and teaching, demonstrating the creativity and imagination at the heart of humanities and social science teaching. We hope they will inspire and encourage colleagues as they have us.