TSTC GenAI Guidelines

Generative AI: A Guide for TSTC Employees - Unleashing Potential While Mitigating Risks

Generative AI: A New Ally at TSTC

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and TSTC is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. Generative AI (artificial intelligence) is a cutting-edge technology with the potential to transform the way we operate at the college. As a TSTC employee, this guide equips you with the knowledge and best practices to leverage generative AI responsibly and effectively in your daily work.

What is Generative AI and How Does it Work?

Imagine a tool that can churn out creative text formats, personalize learning materials, craft engaging presentations, and even generate practice test questions based on your instructions. That's the power of generative AI. It works by analyzing massive amounts of data, identifying patterns, and using them to create new content. It's like having a super-powered research assistant, curriculum development partner, and brainstorming buddy rolled into one!

Unlocking Efficiency and Effectiveness: Potential Applications

Generative AI offers a range of exciting possibilities for enhancing TSTC's educational experience and streamlining college operations:

  • Faculty:

    • Crafting Engaging Content: Struggling to write clear and concise lesson plans or engaging course materials? Generative AI can help! Craft a prompt like: "Write a lesson plan for a new module on cybersecurity principles, incorporating interactive elements, real-world scenarios, and a captivating presentation summarizing key takeaways."

    • Personalizing Learning: Generative AI can personalize learning materials based on student needs and learning styles. For example, you can create prompts for adaptive quizzes that adjust difficulty based on student performance or generate differentiated learning activities that cater to various learning styles.

    • Saving Valuable Time: Need to quickly condense a lengthy technical manual into key learning points for students? Generative AI can condense it into a clear and concise summary, freeing up valuable time for you to focus on developing engaging lesson plans and interacting with students.

  • Staff:

    • Streamlining Communication:

      • Writing Reports and Summaries: Generative AI can assist you in drafting reports, summaries, or proposals. For instance, after collecting data on student enrollment trends, you can use a prompt like: "Write a concise summary report on student enrollment trends in the welding program over the past three semesters, highlighting any notable changes and potential reasons behind them. Include relevant data visualizations to enhance clarity."

      • Personalized Outreach: Generative AI can assist in crafting personalized emails or letters to alumni or potential donors. You can provide a prompt outlining the purpose of the communication, the target audience, and the desired tone (e.g., informative, persuasive).

      • Boosting Productivity: Brainstorming ideas for presentations, marketing materials, or grant proposals can be time-consuming. Generative AI can help by suggesting creative ideas based on specific communication goals or target audiences.

  • Both Faculty and Staff:

    • Enhancing Student Engagement: Develop interactive learning activities or simulations powered by generative AI. Imagine an AI-powered chatbot that can answer students' questions about a specific welding technique, troubleshoot technical challenges in a simulated environment, or even provide personalized feedback on their writing assignments.

    • Grant Proposal Development: Generative AI can be a valuable tool in the grant proposal writing process. Use prompts to brainstorm innovative project ideas, craft compelling narratives about the project's impact, and even help with the initial drafting of specific sections.

Guiding Principles for Responsible Use

While generative AI offers many benefits, it's crucial to use it responsibly. Here are key principles to keep in mind:

  • Accuracy Above All: Generative AI can sometimes create inaccurate information. Always fact-check and verify all AI-generated content before using it in official course materials, assessments, reports, communication, or grant proposals. Double-check technical specifications, industry standards, and factual details, and ensure the content aligns with TSTC's policies and branding.

  • Transparency is Key: Be upfront about using generative AI. As appropriate, disclose to students, colleagues, or grant reviewers that certain learning materials, assessments, reports, communication, or grant proposal sections may have been generated or assisted by AI. This builds trust and allows for feedback.

  • Protect Sensitive Information: Your prompts should never include confidential information such as student names, social security numbers, or internal college documents.

  • Embrace Human Expertise: Generative AI is a tool, not a replacement for your teaching expertise, professional judgment, or creativity. Always review and edit the content generated by AI before using it. Your critical thinking and subject-matter knowledge are crucial for effective learning experiences, clear communication, and compelling grant proposals.

  • Start Specific, End Strong: The more specific your prompts are, the better the results will be. Instead of a vague prompt like

Learning More and Staying Informed

OIT is here to support your exploration of generative AI. They can answer your questions and offer guidance on responsible use within the educational environment.

Here are some additional resources to deepen your understanding:

TSTC at the Forefront of Education

Generative AI presents a unique opportunity to empower faculty and staff, streamline work flows, and ultimately transform how we deliver education at TSTC. By adopting this technology responsibly and adhering to the best practices outlined above, we can become pioneers in shaping a more innovative, engaging, and effective learning experience for generations of TSTC students.



 

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