Case Studies
Real World Application
Strategy: Explore real-world applications and impacts of generative AI
Incorporating Generative AI tools into assignments can provide students with hands-on opportunities to apply, analyze, and critically evaluate Generative AI technologies within their respective fields, fostering a deeper understanding of the broader societal and industry implications of these tools.
Course: INR3045 Global Migration
A key goal of this undergraduate course on Global Migration was to have students apply contemporary critical thinking skills to examine how media can inform and create problematic disinformation about immigrants. Instructor Dr. Jody McBrien and learning designer Angie Fairweather discussed how Generative AI image creation tools can contribute to the spread of disinformation by perpetuating stereotypical representations of people. To teach students about this and support critical analysis of AI-generated visual information, students were asked to choose from various AI image creation tools and create images of immigrants. Students then critically evaluated the effects of disinformation, applying the critical thinking skills introduced earlier in the course. This approach not only encouraged creativity but also provided students with a practical and hands-on opportunity to explore the role of AI in shaping media narratives and opinions.
Tool Used: Bing Image Creator, Stocking AI, Koala, and THERE'S AN AI FOR THAT
Digital Learning Designer Tips
- The guidance on image prompt engineering noted leaving the prompts broad like "refugee man" or "migrants at border." This approach tends to result in greater stereotypes in the generated images.
- For accessibility, an alternative activity has been created for students with visual impairments, as this activity requires analyzing visual information.
- Several AI text-to-image generators offer a limited number of free images before requiring a paid subscription, limiting free daily image generation, or requiring user registration. Among the AI image generators we evaluated, Koala stood out by allowing users to generate multiple images for free without needing to sign up.
