How GenAI can Help to Develop and Empower Students as Learners

This session will explore ways in which Generative AI tools may be used by students to support their learning. Introducing the ‘I.D.E.As framework' (Hack, 2023), a resource developed to help curate ideas surrounding the use of Gen AI tools in learning and teaching, the session will discuss practical ways in which such tools may be used to enhance the student learning experience. For example, Gen AI may help to ‘develop and empower’ students as learners by providing personalised learning experiences, acting as a ‘dialogic tutor’ (Compton, 2023), and providing instant access to information.  Whilst there are justifiable concerns about the possible impact of AI in education, the session will focus on Gen AI as a ‘force for good’, having the potential to help level the academic playing field and in so doing, possibly to help address the ‘awarding gap’ (Fido & Wallace, 2023).

Dr Sarah Hack is the Programme Lead for the Psychology Foundation Year, University of Surrey. She is interested in practical ideas and activities that help to develop students' learning. Most recently she has been exploring the use of Gen AI tools to support student learning with a focus on the potential of AI tools for helping to bridge educational gaps between students. She is a member of the University of Surrey’s Artificial Intelligence Educational Innovation Operations (AIEIO) group and has developed the ‘I.D.E.As framework’ for curating and developing AI resources to support learning.