Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson offers educators a comprehensive roadmap for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. Recognizing AI's transformative impact on education, the authors provide practical strategies to harness its potential while addressing challenges.SoBrief+5Amazon+5LinkedIn+5
AI's Role in Modern Education
Bowen and Watson emphasize that AI is reshaping how we think, learn, and work. They argue that AI's ability to generate average-quality work necessitates a reevaluation of educational standards, pushing students to develop skills that surpass AI capabilities, such as critical thinking and creativity. The authors advocate for AI literacy as an essential competency across all disciplines, enabling students to effectively use AI tools and understand their limitations.SoBrief
Redefining Assignments and Assessments
The book suggests that traditional assignments need to evolve in the AI era. Educators are encouraged to design tasks that require higher-order thinking, such as analysis and synthesis, which AI cannot easily replicate. For instance, assignments might involve students using AI to gather information, followed by critical evaluation and personal insight. This approach not only leverages AI's capabilities but also fosters deeper learning.SoBrief
Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving
Contrary to concerns that AI might stifle creativity, the authors propose that AI can serve as a catalyst for innovation. By generating diverse ideas and perspectives, AI can help students overcome creative blocks and explore new directions. Educators are encouraged to use AI as a brainstorming partner, combining its outputs with human judgment to enhance problem-solving skills.SoBrief
Maintaining Academic Integrity
With AI's ability to produce human-like text, academic integrity becomes a pressing concern. Bowen and Watson recommend moving beyond detection-based approaches to fostering a culture of honesty and originality. They suggest transparent policies on AI usage, assignments that require personal reflection, and assessments that focus on the learning process rather than just the final product.SoBrief
Practical Implementation Strategies
The authors provide actionable advice for educators at all levels:
Designing AI-Resistant Assignments: Create tasks that require personal experiences, reflections, or in-class activities that AI cannot replicate.
Teaching Prompt Engineering: Educate students on crafting effective prompts to interact with AI tools, enhancing their ability to obtain meaningful outputs.
Developing AI Literacy: Integrate AI education across curricula, ensuring students understand both the capabilities and ethical considerations of AI.
Collaborative Learning: Encourage group projects where students use AI collaboratively, promoting teamwork and critical evaluation of AI-generated content.
Ethical and Equity Considerations
While the book primarily focuses on practical applications, it acknowledges the importance of addressing ethical concerns, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. The authors stress the need for educators to guide students in understanding these issues, fostering responsible AI usage.
Conclusion
"Teaching with AI" serves as a timely and practical guide for educators navigating the integration of AI into their teaching practices. By embracing AI as a tool to enhance learning, educators can prepare students for a future where human-AI collaboration is the norm. The book's emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and ethical considerations ensures that AI becomes a means to enrich education rather than detract from it.SoBrief
Citation:
Bowen, J. A., & Watson, C. E. (2024). Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. Johns Hopkins University Press.
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Prepared with the assistance of AI software
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com
Book of the Week: José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson's book, Teaching with AI
by Michael Keany
May 19
Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson offers educators a comprehensive roadmap for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. Recognizing AI's transformative impact on education, the authors provide practical strategies to harness its potential while addressing challenges.SoBrief+5Amazon+5LinkedIn+5
AI's Role in Modern Education
Bowen and Watson emphasize that AI is reshaping how we think, learn, and work. They argue that AI's ability to generate average-quality work necessitates a reevaluation of educational standards, pushing students to develop skills that surpass AI capabilities, such as critical thinking and creativity. The authors advocate for AI literacy as an essential competency across all disciplines, enabling students to effectively use AI tools and understand their limitations.SoBrief
Redefining Assignments and Assessments
The book suggests that traditional assignments need to evolve in the AI era. Educators are encouraged to design tasks that require higher-order thinking, such as analysis and synthesis, which AI cannot easily replicate. For instance, assignments might involve students using AI to gather information, followed by critical evaluation and personal insight. This approach not only leverages AI's capabilities but also fosters deeper learning.SoBrief
Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving
Contrary to concerns that AI might stifle creativity, the authors propose that AI can serve as a catalyst for innovation. By generating diverse ideas and perspectives, AI can help students overcome creative blocks and explore new directions. Educators are encouraged to use AI as a brainstorming partner, combining its outputs with human judgment to enhance problem-solving skills.SoBrief
Maintaining Academic Integrity
With AI's ability to produce human-like text, academic integrity becomes a pressing concern. Bowen and Watson recommend moving beyond detection-based approaches to fostering a culture of honesty and originality. They suggest transparent policies on AI usage, assignments that require personal reflection, and assessments that focus on the learning process rather than just the final product.SoBrief
Practical Implementation Strategies
The authors provide actionable advice for educators at all levels:
Designing AI-Resistant Assignments: Create tasks that require personal experiences, reflections, or in-class activities that AI cannot replicate.
Teaching Prompt Engineering: Educate students on crafting effective prompts to interact with AI tools, enhancing their ability to obtain meaningful outputs.
Developing AI Literacy: Integrate AI education across curricula, ensuring students understand both the capabilities and ethical considerations of AI.
Collaborative Learning: Encourage group projects where students use AI collaboratively, promoting teamwork and critical evaluation of AI-generated content.
Ethical and Equity Considerations
While the book primarily focuses on practical applications, it acknowledges the importance of addressing ethical concerns, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. The authors stress the need for educators to guide students in understanding these issues, fostering responsible AI usage.
Conclusion
"Teaching with AI" serves as a timely and practical guide for educators navigating the integration of AI into their teaching practices. By embracing AI as a tool to enhance learning, educators can prepare students for a future where human-AI collaboration is the norm. The book's emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and ethical considerations ensures that AI becomes a means to enrich education rather than detract from it.SoBrief
Citation:
Bowen, J. A., & Watson, C. E. (2024). Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. Johns Hopkins University Press.
------------------------------
Prepared with the assistance of AI software
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com