Are You AI Ready?
Investigating AI Tools in Higher Education via the Co-development of Interdisciplinary Student-Partnered AI Training Resources
Overview
This Learning Enhancement project has been funded through SATLE (Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement) with the support of the National Forum / HEA.
| PROJECT TITLE: | Are You AI Ready?: Investigating AI Tools in Higher Education via the Co-development of Interdisciplinary Student-Partnered AI Training Resources |
|---|---|
| PROJECT COORDINATORS: | Ms Orla Daly, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems & Mr Liam Fogarty, Educational Technology Services |
| COLLABORATORS: | Faculty: Professional Staff: Students: |
| TARGET AUDIENCE: | ● Students ● Faculty |
Background
The project was driven by the emergence of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT's launch in November 2022, which created urgent needs in higher education. Key contextual factors included:
- Increasing student and faculty use of AI tools without clear guidelines or understanding of capabilities
- Need for AI literacy development aligned with DigComp 2 framework's updated focus on AI competencies
- Gaps in institutional knowledge about effective AI integration in Higher Education
The project approach emphasised cross-disciplinary collaboration between two UCD Colleges, with students as active partners throughout. Focus groups with faculty and students shaped the development of practical resources, revealing needs for structured AI education, clear ethical guidelines, and balanced integration of AI tools in teaching and learning.
This approach was shaped by focus group findings highlighting the need for structured AI education, ethical guidelines, and balanced integration of AI tools in higher education.
Goals
Project Aims:
- Critically evaluate use of AI tools in higher education using DigComp 2.2 framework
- Co-design AI readiness training resources for faculty and students
- Develop an AI capabilities matrix for contextualising resources across disciplines
Intended Outcomes:
- Improved AI literacy among faculty and students
- Support in navigating ethical AI use in academic work
- Faculty confidence in making informed decisions about AI tools
- Sustainable, adaptable resources accessible through Brightspace
- Published findings to contribute to broader higher education dialogue
- Development of critical thinking skills around AI capabilities and limitations
- Enhanced team knowledge and expertise in AI integration
Approach
Our approach centred on student partnership throughout the project lifecycle
Student Involvement:
- Students participated in project design and implementation
- Student team members helped conduct focus groups
- Students contributed to resource development and testing
- Student feedback shaped content and delivery methods
Key Activities:
- Conducted focus groups across three schools to gather perspectives
- Developed AI Tool Evaluation Matrix
- Created and tested online modules in Brightspace
- Regular team meetings including student representatives
Strong engagement metrics validate this approach:
- 9,489 visitors to student resource book
- 400+ students completed certification
- High engagement with practical content, especially prompt engineering
- Peak traffic aligned with promotional campaigns and class events
Results
Key Deliverables:
GenAI Capabilities Matrix, Brightspace Modules with digital badges, and Open Educational Resources:
- Faculty Guide (2,800 visitors)
- Student Guide (14,000 visitors)
- Digital interactive books
Measurable Impact:
Student engagement (Apr-Nov 2024):
- Most viewed: "Structure of Good Prompt" (9,000 views)
- 400 certified completions
Survey Results (n=92):
- Guide Usefulness: 3.88/5
- Ethics Understanding: 3.91/5
- AI Preparedness: 3.70/5
Academic Output:
- HEAd'24 Conference presentation
- Published paper (doi:10.4995/HEAd24.2024.17105)
Long-term Impact:
- Sustainable OER resources
- Gen AI capabilities framework via matrix
- Enhanced institutional readiness