This past week, I returned to campus (as at a convention the previous) and began getting back into the swing of things. To start, I resumed work on my Leganto project, reviewing the specific responsibilities I had for the previous week and planning for the current week. I set up the Leganto module for the second half of the week, following the work completed by the other intern in the first half. My tasks included establishing weekly reading lists, assigning due dates, linking the necessary course materials, and navigating the platform more thoroughly. This process helped me gain a stronger understanding of how Leganto operates.
The heads of research are considering implementing this platform for Carleton around April. As part of this preparation, they asked the two interns to make edits to the Moodle interface and reflect on questions such as: How should we conceptualize and plan the user test? What questions should we ask? Will the testing be task-based? How long should it last? How many students should participate? I feel confident in addressing these questions based on both the readings assigned and the work I have done with Leganto.
Unfortunately, we had to postpone our typical meeting due to recent events in Minnesota, but we plan to meet this upcoming week to establish a foundation for these questions and determine the next steps.
Additionally, as I mentioned in my previous blog, I was responsible for selecting a course reading for our group. I chose an article titled The Use of Generative AI by Students with Disabilities in Higher Education. Initially, I had intended to find a reading on the future of affordability and AI in higher education, but this article proved equally relevant and informative. It prompted meaningful discussions among both students and faculty, particularly regarding the balance between the helpful aspects of AI and the potential for misuse or “shortcut” behaviors.
We also discussed how AI usage may vary by major or class, and the potential implications for policy. In particular, we considered how faculty can establish guidelines in syllabi regarding AI integration and whether departments could collaborate to create consistent policies that best prepare students for post-college endeavors. These conversations were engaging and thought-provoking, and the ideas raised have stayed with me as I reflect over the weekend.
