Research Assignment Design: Generative AI

Integrating AI

• Demonstrate AI as an idea generator when starting research to map out potential subtopics and related ideas.
• Show how to use AI to get started with research writing, and discuss its flaws.
• Evaluate an AI-written assignment in class, including the information and citations generated.
• Hold an in-class discussion on the ethics of AI, plagiarism, and writing.
• Discuss how to cite AI if used in the research and writing process.

Example AI Assignments

Featured in 101 Creative Ideas to Use AI in Education, these assignments demonstrate ways to integrate AI and information literacy. These have been grouped by lesson, yet each is worth considering.

• Develop critical reading, writing, thinking, and/or evaluation skills (idea numbers 5, 28, 30, 41, 49, 82)
• Spark conversations around the concepts of authorship and citations (idea numbers 17, 41)
• Generate peer review/feedback (idea numbers 32, 68)
• Ask questions of primary sources using ChatPDF (idea number 76)

From TextGenEd: Teaching with Text Generation Technologies, get ideas on how to incorporate generative AI with an emphasis on writing. 

• Transforming Writing Assignments with AI (AI Literacy) 
• Critical Assessment and Analysis Exercise (AI Literacy)
• Promoting Ethical Artificial Intelligence Literacy (Ethical Considerations)
• Teaching Social Identity and Cultural Bias Using AI Text Generation (Ethical Considerations) 
• AI in First Year Writing Courses (Ethical Considerations)
• Analysis of Iterations of Responses to Human Prompts (Professional Writing)
• Using AI Text as Prompts for Critical Analysis (Rhetorical Engagements)

Working around AI

• Design assignments that put the focus on the process of research rather than on the resulting product.
• Incorporate in-class writing or oral assignments.
• Include writing reflections as part of the assignment that speak to a student's specific experience.
• Require the use of class materials such as notes, lectures, and lessons.
• Require direct links to sources in citations.
• Consider using more obscure texts for students to read and use in research.
• Move away from the five paragraph research essay format.
• Consider using low-tech activities (like concept mapping) or high-tech activities (like infographics) to demonstrate knowledge.
• Use field observations in research.
• Have students explain their thinking or their research process through document comments. 
• Require the use of direct quotes from cited materials.