xinghan

We’re living in a tech-driven world where tools like ChatGPT, Quillbot, and many other AI platforms can pretty much do everything. But as university students, how do we actually use AI the right and smart way to improve our learning without falling into the trap of laziness or overdependence?

That’s a question worth asking and also the main focus of our group discussion. In this blog post, I want to dig a little deeper into this topic and share some practical ideas on how students can use AI in a healthy, productive, and ethical way.

First: Know What You Need from AI

Before using any AI tool, ask yourself:
Do I want to learn faster? Or do I want to understand better?

• If you want to boost efficiency, let AI help you with tasks like summarizing notes, highlighting key points, generating outlines, or even making your study plan.
  
• If you’re trying to deepen your understanding, use AI to explain difficult concepts, ask follow-up questions, or simulate conversations to help you think critically.
  

Knowing your goal helps you use the tool wisely and not blindly.

Smart Ways to Use AI as a Student

Generate Personalized Study Plans
You can tell AI about your courses, deadlines, and exam dates. It can help you schedule your tasks, break them into daily goals, and even mark which topics you should prioritize.

Organize Mistakes & Notes
Upload your past mistakes or messy class notes, and AI can help you categorize knowledge points, summarize common errors, and turn chaos into clarity.

Writing Support
Personally, writing has always been my weak point. I often turn to AI for help with structuring my essays, rewriting awkward sentences, and checking grammar. It doesn’t write for me, but it gives me the push I need to improve.

Explaining What You Don’t Get
There are times when I just don’t get what the professor said in class. So I copy the concept and ask AI to explain it sometimes with a chart, sometimes with a dialogue whatever works best for me.

Use AI Responsibly Here’s How

• Don’t upload original assignment questions that’s academic misconduct, and many schools are already using AI-detection tools.
  
• AI is your assistant, not your ghostwriter. It’s there to support your thinking, not replace it.
  
• Always think critically. AI can make mistakes. Don’t take its answers as absolute truth. Check facts, ask questions, and use your own judgment.
  

Final Thoughts

AI is not here to replace students  it’s here to empower those who use it wisely. As a student in this AI age, learning to collaborate with these tools is just as important as learning the course content itself.

https://suzuran.opened.ca/

I find your post very interesting. Your post presents a highly comprehensive teaching approach that integrates multiple instructional methods to accommodate different learning styles. The concept of “three-dimensional learning,” which combines direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, and cooperative learning, highlights that no single method can apply to all students. This aligns with what I mentioned in my blog—creating diverse learning methods can cater to a broader audience, especially marginalized groups.

Your strategy for addressing online learning challenges is also very practical. For instance, using Zoom ensures a smooth transition in case of unexpected situations, maintaining the continuity of teaching. Additionally, your approach of using classroom questioning and encouragement helps alleviate students’ nervousness during presentations, fostering a supportive learning environment.

However, one suggestion for improvement is to further elaborate on the specific methods used to assess students’ learning beyond traditional exams. Providing examples such as project-based assessments, peer evaluations, or self-reflections would make your argument more convincing.

What I find most interesting is the GPS analogy, which effectively illustrates the flexibility and personalization of teaching methods. Similarly, I believe that learning methods, like GPS, should continuously recalibrate to ensure students are always progressing toward the most suitable direction for themselves.

Overall, your teaching plan is well-structured and presents an effective learning strategy worth looking forward to.

• An overview of the characteristics of the approach

Direct Instruction: This learning method is led by the teacher, guiding students through the learning process. Through the teacher’s explanations and demonstrations, students can ask any questions, and the teacher will provide answers. In this method, students passively receive knowledge. It is highly efficient, allowing core content to be delivered in a short period of time, but it offers less opportunity for independent exploration. Clearly, this method is also the preferred teaching approach for most schools and educational institutions. Not only is it a traditional teaching method, but it is also relatively one of the most effective approaches.

Cooperative Learning: Students collaborate in groups, exploring and sharing knowledge together to compensate for individual shortcomings and achieve more comprehensive learning. This method enhances understanding and increases learning interest, but it may require more time and coordination. I personally strongly advocate for this learning method because, for me, it allows me to better utilize my strengths, engage in discussions with classmates, and learn from each other. Not only can I acquire new knowledge—including insights from my peers’ areas of expertise—but I can also improve mutual learning and collaboration with my classmates.

• A discussion of how the approach does or does not align with your chosen topic.

By combining these two learning methods with our discussion on how to have accurate and efficient conversations with AI, we can provide both teachers and students with more precise information and enable the correct and effective use of modern technology. Cooperative learning primarily involves students learning from one another. I believe that through this approach, students can better explore different learning methods, gain knowledge from multiple perspectives, and ultimately achieve better learning outcomes.

• If it has a place in your final Interactive Learning Design (why or why not)

Direct Instruction and Cooperative Learning are both suitable learning methods for our topic. By combining Direct Instruction with Cooperative Learning, we can learn how to efficiently ask AI questions to obtain the necessary information while also finding the learning approach that best suits us.

Xinghan Wang

When it comes to my learning experiences, I believe my time studying in Canada is particularly worth sharing. When I was in China, I thought learning English was a very simple task. However, after coming to Canada, my assumptions completely changed.

When I arrived in Canada, I attended high school, but at that time, I couldn’t speak a single word of English. I had no way to communicate with my teachers or classmates, and sometimes I was even bullied by my peers. Things changed when I met my high school English teacher. Their teaching methods were very different from other teachers. They allowed students to grade themselves, which I found to be a novel approach.

This experience was a turning point in my education. It taught me the value of self-reflection and taking responsibility for my own learning. By grading myself, I had to honestly evaluate my strengths and weaknesses, which motivated me to improve. It also helped me build confidence, as I realized that learning was not about being perfect but about making progress.

This approach also encouraged a growth mindset, where I learned to embrace challenges and see mistakes as opportunities to grow. My teacher’s support and innovative methods not only helped me overcome the language barrier but also shaped the way I approach learning and personal development. It was a transformative experience that continues to influence me today.

Have you used AI applications before? If you have, what have you used them for? What apps have you come across that are not in the Explore section that you’ve found useful?

I would like to express my perspective on artificial intelligence. Firstly, as a college student, I believe that AI has brought many shortcuts to my life. I personally major in social sciences and economics, which often involves reading numerous articles. Using AI to accurately summarize the content of these articles not only saves time for other activities but also provides a clear understanding of the articles’ content. However, AI also has some shortcomings. For instance, there are times when it cannot accurately determine what you want. Sometimes, I find myself troubled by difficult-to-understand paragraphs, and I choose to copy and paste them for AI to translate into my native language. While this may seem time-saving, most of the time, AI cannot accurately translate these passages.

How might the use of these tools create a more inclusive learning experience? Who might be excluded?

The use of artificial intelligence may bring more benefits to diligent individuals, but it can be detrimental to those who seek shortcuts. For example, a high-achieving student may utilize AI to study more efficiently and gain a deeper understanding of various subjects within the same time frame. On the other hand, for students lacking motivation, AI not only assists them in completing assignments but also enables them to breeze through online exams and similar tasks. Students who heavily rely on AI for completing tasks may lack the ability to learn independently. This could have implications for their future career development and problem-solving skills.

What guidelines do you think should be in place to guide their use in an educational institution? What factors should be considered?

Therefore, some educational institutions need to ensure that each student completes their assignments independently. Similarly, schools can use plagiarism detection tools to check whether students have personally completed their assignments. As a result, educators need to carefully integrate artificial intelligence tools to ensure their use contributes to sparking students’ interest in learning and enhancing their ability for independent study, rather than merely providing an easy way out. Encouraging students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills is also a crucial educational goal, and artificial intelligence can serve as an auxiliary tool in achieving these objectives.

What might you use AI tools for moving forward? What would you not use them for?

OpenAI. (2023, Nov. 22). [ChatGPT response about examples of advantages/disadvantage of using AL] https://chat.openai.com

Potential Uses of AI Tools:

1. Information Retrieval and Summarization
2. Language Translation
3. Coding Assistance
4. Content Creation
5. Data Analysis

Considerations and Limitations:

1. Critical Decision-Making Caution
2. Creativity and Originality Limitations
3. Importance of Personal Relationships
4. Privacy and Security Concerns
5. Avoid Overreliance in Education

I personally believe:

what he said makes sense, especially the fifth point. Overreliance on artificial intelligence can lead to a loss of direction and motivation in life. In many situations, applying human judgment is the optimal choice.

Reference

OpenAI. (2023, Nov. 25). [ChatGPT response about What’s causing teenager to become overly dependent on AI] https://chat.openai.com

Overview

We will explore whether discrimination still exists in today’s society, and up to this point, discrimination remains an issue that the world should pay attention to. Therefore, today’s topic can not only provide insight into the discrimination issues faced by contemporary society but also discuss how various countries should address them.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

Understanding the Discrimination Issues in Today’s World

Starting from oneself, how to avoid racial discrimination

How to Improve and End this Issue

Read/Watch

Human Rights Watch：www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/29/china-gender-discrimination-hiring-persists

Janken, Kenneth. “The Civil Rights Movement： http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1917beyond/essays/crm.htm

Content

Racial Discrimination in the United States:

emphasizing the ongoing issue of racial discrimination and its impact on African Americans.

Racial Discrimination in the U.S. Justice System：

The deeply rooted racial discrimination in the United States, highlighting historical injustices and failures in the justice system to protect African Americans and other minorities.

Applications

Case Study: Participants will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of discrimination and non-discrimination in different countries.

Project: For example, what would a country with a large population like the United States or China be like if there was no discrimination.

Reflection

Reflective Journal: Students will reflect on the extent to which discrimination is a scourge on humanity.

To Do This Week

1 Understanding human rights

2 Understanding the different discrimination issues that exist between the United States and China

3 Read “The Civil Rights Movement”

References：

African. “BLM’s #WhatMatters2020.” Black Lives Matter, 2013, blacklivesmatter.com/about/

History.com Staff. “Chinese Exclusion Act .” History, 13 Sept. 2019, www.history.com/topics/immigration/chinese-exclusion-act-1882

Human Rights Watch：www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/29/china-gender-discrimination-hiring-persists

Janken, Kenneth. “The Civil Rights Movement： http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1917beyond/essays/crm.htm

Class Quiz

Twine Story:

Question 1: Describe a meaningful learning experience that started with a story that you heard. What made it impactful for you? What senses did it appeal to? Did you recognize any of the storytelling techniques reviewed this week?

I once watched a documentary about a disabled person who had lost both arms. He had a deep passion for life and persevered in sports like soccer and swimming. His spirit of loving life deeply inspired me. The male protagonist of the documentary, through sharing his personal experiences, deeply moved the viewers, especially leaving a lasting impact on me. As an able-bodied person, there is no reason for me to complain about life.

Reflection:

ln the reading this week, 7 Storytelling Techniques Used by the Most Inspiring TEDPresenters, which of the presenters did you find most compelling? What technique(s) did you recognize in their talk?

In the reading material “7 Storytelling Techniques of the Most Inspiring Speakers,” I found the way 12-year-old Kenyan Maasai boy Richard expressed himself and told his story to be incredibly captivating. He used the technique of empathy, creating a strong sense of empathy, allowing readers to easily immerse themselves in the story.

The primary purpose of my video production is to demonstrate to the audience how to make cookies. Through this educational video assignment, I can not only enhance my hands-on skills but also foster my creative abilities. The knowledge I acquire from this class will enable me to create better videos and provide more effective explanations. In summary, college students need to focus more on their creative capabilities rather than just completing assignments.

I find Mayer’s “Coherence Principle” to be highly valuable. In particular, the “Coherence Principle” is especially beneficial for my video production, as my videos primarily involve baking instruction. Therefore, I refrain from adding any extraneous commentary. I will include all relevant notes and step-by-step instructions below, as I believe this not only enhances the viewing experience but also facilitates better learning. Mayer’s “Coherence Principle” also emphasizes conciseness and specificity, which prevents viewers from experiencing information overload.

The purpose of this video production is to help beginners gain a better understanding of how to make simple cookies. Initially, it was quite challenging to handle both the filming and the baking process by myself. Eventually, my brother was very willing to assist with the recording. The video editing part was relatively straightforward, as I used the “jianying” app to easily edit the video and add some annotations alongside.

In conclusion, I believe that in this instructional video, I applied Mayer’s continuity principle effectively, making the instructional video very concise and easy to understand. This not only improved my video production skills but, more importantly, helped me become a better teacher.

Story Board

This is screen Shot of my wave report

After going through the report of my first blog, I discovered that there were still many contrast errors in my first assignment. For instance, there were some issues with things like photos and text layout, and I shouldn’t have put my name below the blog. I think this report is very helpful because it can help with my future blog posts and improve their look.

Have you used Text to Speech tools before? Did you find it useful? Did you try out some of the different voices? What impact did the different voices have on your ability to absorb information?

I frequently use text-to-speech tools. As a student majoring in the humanities, I have to deal with lengthy reading materials. Reading everything can be waste lot of time, especially for non-native English speakers. Personally, I find that listening is easier for me to understand than reading. I believe text-to-speech tools are very convenient and well-suited for university life

Graphic design is inherently visual – what additions or modifications could you make to ensure that learners with visual impairments have access to the same information in an infographic in an online setting?

I believe that graphic design is not very friendly for people with visual impairments. However, this is where text-to-speech tools come into play. They can add an audio feature next to articles, allowing visually impaired individuals to experience the world within the text. While there are many visual elements they cannot perceive, at least it can help them understand the content and make them aware that they are not excluded or treated as ‘special’

In summary, when creating my infographic using Canva, I paid attention to several key design principles such as alignment, hierarchy, contrast, and balance. These principles helped me ensure that my infographic was both clear and visually engaging. I also made sure to incorporate white space and maintain a limited color scheme for a cohesive look. I emphasized the importance of customizing them to suit my content and preserving a simple and clean design.

Blog 1

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized and managing tasks efficiently has become more crucial than ever. As a university student and multitasker, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can enhance my productivity and keep me on top of my game. Notion is an application that has become my to-go tool to use to keep track of my daily life.

Which principles did you have in mind when you were creating your screencast? Which were you able to employ and which were more challenging to follow?

Multimedia principles guide my script, emphasizing the combination of text and vision for better understanding. I will try to connect the visual with the web, which not only can have more learning style, but also can increase participation. This plays a better role in synchronizing the visual and narrative, ensuring that the relevant elements are better represented in time and space. This method helps people connect what they hear with what they see. According to the principle of personalization, personalized experience is also important. Facing the audience directly and using a conversational tone can help create a more engaging connection with the audience. Balancing the information provided to prevent cognitive overload requires careful planning. In addition, keeping the audience engaged throughout the performance was a challenge for me by changing my speaking style and tone.

Who did you imagine as the audience for this screencast? How did that impact your design choices?

When I created Notion videos, I used students as the primary audience. I think students have a lot of knowledge about tools like Notion. So my design choices revolve around making the screen play friendly to students of all skill levels. I built the content in a useful way for Notion beginners, providing a comprehensive introduction to basic functions such as the login and navigation dashboards. I also included chapters exploring more advanced features, such as database management and integration, for students who are already familiar with the basics. This is not only easy for the students who know the software at first, but also useful for time management and so on.

​​Provide an example of a multimedia learning principle that you have intuitively followed in the past, and an example of a multimedia learning principle that you have not followed in the past. What will you do differently now?

In the past, I have argued that“Principles of multimedia” can help create educational presentations with better visual and textual integration. For example, in a biology class, I used diagrams to illustrate the structure of cells while orally explaining these concepts. This approach enhances understanding and engagement. On the other hand, in some cases I will repeat the text word for word in slides and voice-overs, which can be frustrating for the learner. Now, recognizing the importance of this principle, I plan to avoid such redundancy. Instead, I will use vision to complement oral interpretation and reduce cognitive load. This approach will make my textbook more effective and learner-centered, enhancing the overall learning experience.