Artificial Intelligence

Since its debut in late 2023, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved, fundamentally transforming how we work, think, collaborate, and create. While this technology marks a significant shift, it’s one of many that have reshaped higher education over the years, and likely won’t be the last.

AI is now embedded across professional and educational spaces, making it crucial for community colleges to embrace this technology to stay relevant and forward-looking.

As educators, it’s essential not only to understand how to use AI in our own work but also to acknowledge that it has redefined our assessment and instructional practices. Assignments that once effectively measured learning may no longer do so in today’s context. You’re not alone in recognizing that our trusted assessment methods may need updating to reflect modern learning. As Ethan Mollick from the University of Pennsylvania noted, “there is no secret instructional manual;” no one has definitive answers yet. We’re all navigating this shift together as it unfolds. MCC is dedicated to supporting faculty and staff in exploring and shaping how AI can serve our individual practices and our students’ learning experiences. Here are some recommended strategies:

  1. Acknowledge AI’s Impact on Your Field
    Ignoring AI or assuming it won’t impact your discipline isn’t an option. This technology is evolving quickly, and we’re at the early stages of its potential. As experts, we’re uniquely positioned to guide students in understanding AI’s role within our fields. It’s essential to equip our students with an awareness of these technologies and the ability to use them responsibly. Remember, students don’t arrive with knowledge of how AI applies to education or future careers; it’s our responsibility to teach them to use it effectively.
  2. Integrate AI as a Creative Partner in Your Work
    To truly understand AI’s role in your teaching, try using it regularly. Engage with an AI tool as your creative partner. Ask it to edit your writing, brainstorm ideas, develop new discussion prompts, or create rubrics for assignments. The more you use AI in your own work, the better you’ll understand its potential applications in your course. Share your insights with colleagues as we all continue learning together.
  3. Explore AI with Your Students
    Work with AI alongside your students, ideally in person when possible. Using it in class activities and assignments will provide invaluable insights. Discuss what’s how AI is shaping how they learn, what works, what is not working, how to validate information, and ensure accuracy. Teach students how to correct, redirect, and refine AI outputs. The more you engage with AI in their presence, the more you’ll discover its practical uses and limitations in enhancing learning experiences.
  4. Develop Ethical and Responsible AI Use Policies
    Have conversations with students about ethical AI use. Guide students in understanding how AI can and cannot be used in your course and how it aligns with the admin regulation 2.3.11. Create a set of guidelines or policies that clarify appropriate uses of AI in coursework and projects. This helps students navigate ethical concerns and builds a foundation for responsible AI use in their careers.

Resources & Tools

  • Notebook LM – Personalized AI Research Assistant. Upload PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Google Docs, or Google Slides, and NotebookLM will summarize them and make interesting connections between topics.
  • Sonoteller – AI music analysis engine. Capable of ‘listening’ to music files, produces a comprehensive profile of a song or audio.
  • Napkin – turns your text into visuals such as diagrams, charts, slidedeck graphics.
  • Thetawise – AI Math Tutor.
  • Hypernatural – uses text input to create short form video content.
  • Khanmigo – AI-powered personal tutor and teaching assistant from trusted education nonprofit Khan Academy.
  • Quizizz – Create and deliver curriculum resources that meet the needs of every student.
  • Murf AI – Generate professional voiceovers for your creative projects. Instantly bring your ideas to life, enriching your content with realistic audio.
  • Synthesia – create and deliver slides and voice over video
  • Adobe Firefly – create images, log into adobe with your @mesacc.edu log in
  • Co-Pilot – editing, proof reading, text generator, image generator, log into Microsoft with your meid
  • Microsoft Designer – create visual documents such as headers, social media pages, log into Microsoft with your meid

Research Papers

Slide Decks

Videos

AI Prompts for Instruction

For effective AI prompts, focus on clarity and alignment with learning goals. Provide concise, structured instructions and relevant context to ground the prompt in course material. Encourage critical thinking with open-ended questions or scenarios that require analysis and application. To keep engagement high, vary prompt types (e.g., role-playing or problem-solving) and offer follow-up questions for deeper exploration.

On this page are some examples and prompt blueprints to get you started followed by some links to other prompt libraries for educators.

Critiquing a Scenario
In this exercise, the AI presents the student with a scenario that applies or demonstrates a concept. The AI begins a dialogue, offering the student a choice of topics and various scenarios to select from. After the student picks a scenario type, the AI illustrates the chosen concept through that scenario. The student is then prompted to review the scenario and assess how well (or if) the AI’s response demonstrates the concept.

Critiquing a Scenario Prompt Blueprint

Co-Create a Case
In this exercise, students co-create a brief case study with AI for a peer to work through. The AI starts by asking the student about the topic and guiding them to choose a specific scenario. Using the student’s input, the AI builds the case, prompting the student to explain key elements of the topic. Once complete, the student reviews the case, considering if it captures the topic’s main points, how a peer might interpret it, and suggesting adjustments. This activity engages students in applying, re-framing, and critiquing their knowledge in collaboration with AI.

Co-Create a Case Prompt Blueprint

More Prompt Libraries for Educators