By Rob Cooney (@EMEducation)
Teaching with AI: a practical guide to a
new era of human learning – By Jose Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how we work and teach, particularly in the context of medical education. Generative AI, which includes technologies like ChatGPT, has quickly evolved to perform tasks that were previously considered exclusive to human capabilities, such as complex decision-making, personalized learning, and content creation. As faculty, it is our responsibility to understand this emerging technology and the how, when, and why our students may utilize it.
There’s no shortage of different technology available to us in the realm of generative AI. While ChatGPT receives the lion share of the attention, there are hundreds of applications available these days that can create writing, images, videos, and audio. Educators may be concerned (rightfully so) that an overreliance on AI will undermine our learners’ future abilities. We should remember, however, that just because a learner uses a piece of technology (calculator, Internet), it doesn’t mean that they no longer need to develop higher level thinking skills and abilities. Later in the book, the authors introduce the concept of cognitive artifacts, as discussed by David Krakauer, to help educators navigate the integration of AI. Cognitive artifacts can be complementary—amplifying human intelligence (map and compass, Arabic numerals)—or competitive, potentially diminishing skills if over-relied upon (e.g., GPS, calculator)
With that in mind, the authors provide a helpful manual for educators diving into the use of artificial intelligence in teaching. The book is divided into 3 parts- Thinking with AI, Teaching with AI, and Learning with AI. Within each section the authors outline pearls and pitfalls that educators might face. In the second section, the authors delve into crucial topics for educators, such as preventing academic dishonesty in a landscape where AI can generate assignments, developing policies on AI usage that encourage ethical practice, and rethinking assessment methods to focus on higher-order thinking skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
The book offers a wealth of practical examples, including AI prompts, that medical educators can adapt to simulate patient scenarios, generate case-based discussions, and support evidence-based teaching. For those who are new to generative AI, prompt writing can be intimidating. If you are in this group, these prompts will be extremely helpful to you.
While this book is written for professors who teach at the collegiate level, I believe that medical educators will still find it extremely helpful. AI is already becoming an integral part of medical education. While the technology holds great promise for enhancing learning and teaching, it must be integrated in an ethical, intentional, and thoughtful manner. As educators, it is our responsibility to guide learners in using AI to complement their clinical reasoning and professional judgment, ensuring they are prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare. **
**AI was utilized to suggest edits, additions, or deletions to this content**
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