Generative AI

I firmly believe in working with Generative AI as a copilot to improve existing processes. Here’s an example of a workflow I have developed using ChatGPT-4, in conjunction with virtual customer personas, to improve existing instructional content development. For the proof of concept, I used an e-book I wrote a while back for teachers on how to use Bloom’s Taxonomy in the digital classroom. It was outdated and needed a review and update, but I had been putting it off due to the time it would take. I decided to use an AI workflow to assist with the update, with an editor (me) sitting at the centre of the process, checking and incorporating relevant suggestions by the AI. I developed four personas of potential customers (obviously, you can do less or more) and then set them to suggest updates based on current technology, identify gaps in the content and provide potential extensions to what I had already written. By initiating a continuous feedback loop with these virtual personas representing the target audience, this AI-driven approach improved content substantially. For example, a 564-word sample passage increased to over 1,700 words.

Though initially designed to refine educational materials, this workflow could be used for marketing content enhancement, for example, with simple modifications to the user personas and input prompts. The integration of Grammarly as a final editing tool assures standardization in grammar and style.

Read more

Generative AI has been a buzzword in the technology industry for a while now, and it has started to make its way into various fields, including education. Generative AI in learning design uses artificial intelligence to create new content, generate personalized learning paths, and enhance the learning experience.

The potential benefits of using generative AI in learning design are numerous. It can help educators create more engaging and adaptive learning experiences that cater to the individual needs of each student. Generative AI can also automate some of the more time-consuming aspects of designing a course, such as creating assessments and quizzes.

However, there are concerns about the ethical implications of using generative AI in learning design. Some worry that it could dehumanize education, with students being reduced to data points and algorithms. Others are concerned about the potential bias in the algorithms used to generate content. Despite these concerns, the use of generative AI in learning design is on the rise, and it is likely to play an increasingly important role in education in the coming years.

Read more

Now for a change of pace from my usual articles on this site. Besides managing educational product development at Cambridge, I’m a regular blogger. A few years back, I started an education-focused website with colleagues, providing news and opinion about the South African education scene. It’s been plodding along, growing its user base steadily. But this was before I jumped into learning all I could about Generative AI, which I have used successfully to increase the monthly users by over 100,000.  

The internet is bustling, every corner filled with information vying for our attention. Businesses face the daunting task of ensuring their content isn’t just another drop in this vast ocean. But it’s also full of data, which you can use to your advantage. As audiences evolve, so must the strategies to engage them, and simply keeping pace isn’t enough. 

Read more