ChatGPT Assessments: Rethinking Curriculum Design in an AI World

This post is provided by guest blogger, Rachel Dobrich Ruffetti, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, working towards the Talent Development Certificate.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can potentially create personalized, interactive learning environments tailored to individual needs (Bennett & Abusalem, 2024). Since research remains limited, universities are reevaluating curriculum and assessment methods to integrate AI meaningfully. They are advocating for collaborative approaches that blend human intelligence with AI strengths. Key concerns include distinguishing between human and AI-generated work. Although source citation partially addresses this, redesigning assessment tasks can further mitigate risks. By leveraging Bloom’s Taxonomy, educators can emphasize higher-order thinking skills to reduce academic misconduct. Strategies, including monitoring assessment stages, incorporating self-reflection, and narrating presentations, can prove students’ original thoughts. Some universities are also exploring AI as research partners to enhance writing and language learning. While challenges exist, AI presents significant opportunities to enrich education. 

I recommend this article for instructors in higher education. It provides insights into how institutions are embracing AI rather than resisting it. Many concerns stem from a lack of research on AI’s role in higher education. However, this article offers a foundation for rethinking instruction and assessment. College should prepare students for the workforce, where AI will be integral. Rather than banning AI, institutions should engage students in meaningful projects that develop their ability to manage and implement AI responsibly. As the article emphasizes, thoughtful AI integration, with regulation and ethical considerations, can shift learning from rote memorization to critical thinking.

Reference
Bennett, L., & Abusalem, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the future of higher education. Athens Journal of Education, 11(3), 195–212. https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.stfrancis.edu/linkprocessor/plink?id=8838c1ff-5edb-3238-9627-e20d028c7409

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment.

Educating with AI

This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie DeFrancesco, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program. 

The evolution of AI technology has significantly improved our world especially when it comes to education (Haroun, 2023). In the article, Haroun (2023) discusses how AI in education can guide the student in different ways of learning, enhance performance, improve grammar and carry the students into a successful career. Although AI can be beneficial, it can also have flaws. AI technology is very advanced, but it can also make errors. There have been issues with information that AI has put out that is not accurate or fabricated. It is always best to double check the information provided by AI before using it for any research. 

I believe this is a good article that discuss the pros and cons of the use of AI in education. It is not a significant amount of information, but it does provide the basics of how AI can be used for learning purposes. I think it is also great that it reviews some of the negativity associated with using artificial intelligence and for this to not be your only source of information as it can use it incorrectly. It is a great started article if you are interested in learning how it can benefit education. 

Haroun, C. (2023, Dec. 12). How AI Impacts Online Learning. Forbes Business Council. www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/12/12/how-ai-impacts-online-learning/. 

Building a Culture of Continuous Learning

This post is provided by guest blogger, Cody Stock, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

Successful eLearning stems from a successful learning culture that focuses on continuous growth. In a recent article, Johnson (2023) discusses three key strategies to building a strong eLearning culture, which include: the support of leadership, integrating existing learning initiatives, and promoting employee engagement and participation. The author explains how to implement these three key strategies to help organizations build a strong learning culture. These strategies will help build a successful and meaningful eLearning initiative that builds a strong culture of continuous learning within any organization.

I recommend this article for anyone who works within eLearning and is looking to foster a culture that promotes continuous learning and growth. This article provides useful tools for organizations to use that incorporate support from leadership, integration into existing initiatives, and encouraging employee engagement by giving employees an understanding of why eLearning is relevant to them. The combination of these three strategies are a great starting point for organizations looking to create a strong culture of learning and continuous growth.

Reference:

Johnson, Reginald. (2023, July). Strategies For Implementing eLearning In Building A Learning Culture. Retrieved from: Strategies For Successful eLearning Implementation (elearningindustry.com)

Following Top Trends in Educational Technology

This post is provided by guest blogger, Darryl Barrios, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program

There have been several changes in educational technology over the last few years and there are no signs that this will slow down anytime soon.  Learning about trends in the field can help organizations prepare to quickly implement process changes.  The trends that seem to be garnering the most attention are the use of unconventional platforms, such as TikTok, integrating AI into your processes, datafication and analytics to get insights on student performance and engagement, immersive learning systems, and blockchain for handling records.  Each of these trends has one thing in common:  They are working to make education more accessible.

Sofia Kondrat’s article “Top Trends in Educational Technology [2025]” offers valuable insights for individuals and organizations that are involved in educational development.  The article contains concrete examples as well as statistics from reputable sources, including links back to those sources.  The article also points out that it is not comprehensive but that it is presenting a snapshot of the direction educational technology is developing.  The information in this article would be very useful for educational development professionals to plan for the future of their processes.

Reference

Kondrat, S. (2025, March 14). Top Trends in Educations Technology [2025]. EducateMe. Retrieved from https://www.educate-me.co/blog/trends-in-educational-technology

AI Revolutionizing Business Education

This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie Lawrence, graduate student at the University of St Francis in Joliet, MS in Talent Development program.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, the technology is transforming business education by enabling personalized learning and operational efficiencies. Despite challenges with AI adoption inconsistencies and ethical concerns, the University of Toronto has chosen to develop its own simple AI assistant to support students (Murray, 2025). The All Day TA tool provides a streamlined student experience though students being able to find quick answers to questions instead of waiting for professor responses or being afraid of asking questions in front of the class and getting immediate feedback (Murray, 2025). The tool, which can be tailored to faculty curriculum, has now been adopted by nearly 100 other institutions (Murray, 2025).

The source is a very recent article from the Financial Times, a reliable and reputable source. It provides examples of AI integration in business education, which can be inspirational and valuable for educators, administrators, and decisionmakers interested in adopting similar AI technologies. The article does note some challenges like equitable access and ethical considerations, which opens the door for further research regarding these concerns.

Category: E-Learning, Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence

Reference:

Murray, S. (2025, March 16). Business schools ease their resistance to AI. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/daa0f68d-774a-4e5e-902c-5d6e8bf687dc

Knowledge Management – Building the Foundation for eLearning

This post is provided by guest blogger, Lynn Urban, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Efficient, fast, accurate, streamlined – these are some of the many words used to describe communication technology.  While business and education are keeping up with digital trends, they can manage and impart information through eLearning.  Before eLearning can be implemented, a strong foundation should be built through strategic planning, organizational mission, and cultural vision.  Author Rommel Benedick Lim (2021) discusses the importance of preparation before implementation.  Through change management and strong leadership, businesses can create the perfect setting for knowledge management to be effective.  ”The combination of business goals with learning programs will make eLearning sustainable in the workplace” (Lim, 2021). 

I recommend this article for anyone interested in setting the stage for an eLearning program in their workplace.  The information speaks volumes of the importance to prepare first, implement next, and sustain going forward.  The article does not go into detail about eLearning itself, but instead focuses on the activity that should take place before eLearning is brought onboard.  The author recommends understanding the “learning culture” and “communication channels”, when preparing to implement eLearning.  Overall, the article is insightful of the steps to truly understand organizational needs, so that knowledge management of an eLearning program can be effective and successful.   

Reference

Lim, R.B. (2021, April). How to Implement and Sustain eLearning in the Workplace. eLearning Industry.com. https://elearningindustry.com/how-implement-and-sustain-elearning-in-workplaceLinks to an external site

The Choice to Choose in E-Learning

This post is provided by guest blogger, Michelle Edwards, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

The article surmises that there are negligible differences between students’ mastery of course content when they can choose how they complete some tasks versus no choice. The honesty was appreciated (in one study there was an error (which was later corrected) due to a choice not being turned off. Also, instructors, educators must take into consideration that when offering student choices, it can create more work for the educators/instructors not only when creating these choices but also grading. The more positive side includes students tend to be more engaged with their learning and the group that were able to make their own choices with their eLearning scored higher on their quizzes. Admittedly, (much like the article) research is limited when evaluating effective instructional practices for online learning environments and all the things that go along with it, and as usual you can’t mention online learning experience without blaming some of the problem on the pandemic and this article was no different.

I recommend this article would be great for anyone new to creating courses that will give students the ability to choose their own eLearning direction. Anyone in research on the subject matter of course students writing papers this is a general coverage article and a relatively easy read. Although it lacks the steps in ways that one would go about offering choices for eLearning, it does give views on the pitfalls one may face when offering choices.

MacNaul, H., Garcia, R., Cividini-Motta, C., & Thacker, I. (2021). Effect of assignment choice on student academic performance in an online class. Behavior analysis in practice14(4), 1074–1078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00566-8   Retrieved on June 6, 2024 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7909734/

Cloud Supported Collaborative Learning: Enhancing Student Engagement

This post is provided by guest blogger, Erica LoBurgio, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development Program.

In this article Engagement in cloud-supported collaborative learning and student knowledge construction: a modeling study, authored by Ahmed N. Al-Rahmi, Mohd Shahizan Othman, Rusli Abdullah, Mo’ez Al-Habaibeh, Yousef Mehmood Yahaya Al-Rahmi, Muhammad Atta Ullah, and Norshahriza Nordin, published in 2022 in the in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, studies how the impact cloud supported collaboration has on student knowledge and the learning environments.

The use of cloud supported collaboration such as Google Drive Sheets for post graduate students with knowledge sharing, reflective thinking, and enhancement of collaborative learning. The article provides a study amongst 180 post graduate students, who all participate in an activity to study the student engagement and overall improvement of student learning outcomes. The study utilizes collaboration in Google Drive Sheets, utilizing the importance of research focus, methodology, implications, and practical implications in the learning environment.

The article delivers the importance of cognitive presence, knowledge sharing, and reflective thinking in the learning environment. The study and article explain how the use of cloud based collaborative learning enhances the student’s knowledge, engagement, and learning in their environment.

Lin, X., Spector, J. M., & Ren, X. (2022). Engagement in cloud-supported collaborative learning and student knowledge construction: a modeling study. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-022-00317-2




Assessing Student Learning – Insight into Impact

This post is provided by guest blogger, Lynn Urban, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Educators put time and energy into preparing lessons, but the work does not end once class is over.  It is essential to evaluate student learning, ensuring information provides intended impact.  Especially in the online learning environment, instructors cannot rely upon in-person interaction, and should explore the use of online assessment tools.  Content creator, Helen Colman (2024) provides methods to assess student learning, while sharing eLearning insights and teaching strategies.  “Online assessments are a critical part of eLearning and should be undertaken with the same level of care and rigor that you put into creating your other learning content.” (Colman, 2024). 

I recommend this article for instructors seeking the latest information about online assessment tools.  The article is organized and provides a fresh look at modern methods and software.  The author shows eLearning knowledge, but does not push readers away with heavy technical terms.  Images provide helpful descriptions pointing out the simplicity, usefulness, and outcome of various tools.  While the article references iSpring Suite as a vendor to provide online courses and assessments, the information is helpful whether pursuing the vendor or not.  There are many options, and readers will surely gain insight into the impact of assessments for online learning.

Reference

Colman, H. (2024, January 16). 9 Ways to Assess Student Learning Online. iSpring Solutions. https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/8-ways-to-assess-online-student-learning