Abstract
This research explores innovative pedagogical approaches for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education, focusing on experiential learning methods in AI-enhanced courses (“AI & Ethics” and “AI & Writing”) at two US universities. The study examines the effectiveness of these approaches in developing students’ AI literacy, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning skills across diverse disciplines and delivery modes (in-person and asynchronous online). By emphasizing hands-on engagement with generative AI tools and critical analysis of their implications, this work addresses the pressing need for educational strategies that prepare students for an AI-driven future while maintaining a human-centered, ethical perspective. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of students’ self-efficacy measurements with qualitative assessment of their final projects and course interactions. The findings demonstrate how students effectively develop ethical awareness and practical skills across various domains through AI engagement. We present examples of successful teaching strategies that foster critical thinking about AI’s societal impact and ethical implications. This study contributes to the fields of digital pedagogy and AI ethics education, offering insights into effective AI integration in teaching, methods for fostering critical stances toward AI, and strategies for enhancing teacher training. The study also suggests that this experiential, ethics-focused approach can effectively prepare students for critical engagement with AI technologies, pointing toward transformative possibilities in curriculum development.
Presenters
Emily Dux SpeltzAssistant Professor of Applied Linguistics & Technology, Humanities & Communication, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Experiential Learning, Ethical AI, Digital Pedagogy, Interdisciplinary AI Education
