Staying Ahead
THE AI REVOLUTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION : Challenges , Innovations and the Future
by Elesha Mavrommatis
Artificial intelligence ( AI ) is transforming higher education in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago . From enhancing research and accessibility to reshaping assessments and ethical considerations , AI serves as both a powerful resource and a complex challenge in the modern classroom . Faculty members across disciplines are adapting to this new reality , finding ways to integrate AI while maintaining the integrity and rigor of higher education .
We spoke with educators from Daytona State College , Stetson University Law School , and St . Johns River State College to understand how AI is reshaping education .
A New Way to Teach and Learn
Dr . Cheryl Kohen , Associate Vice President of Academic Services at Daytona State College , emphasized that AI literacy has become a crucial part of higher education . “ AI has become a natural extension of information literacy ,” she said . “ Students must learn how to critically assess AI-generated content just as they evaluate traditional sources .”
Richard Vollaro , Chair of the School of Communication at Daytona State College , sees AI as
Richard Vollaro an opportunity to enhance student engagement and accessibility . “ We ’ re using AI to help students research real-world issues , which often leads to service-learning projects ,” he explained . “ It ’ s also been a game-changer for accessibility , allowing students with diverse learning needs to translate materials , adjust reading levels , and engage in ways that work best for them .”
Kristen Chittenden , an adjunct professor at Stetson Law School and the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Turnitin — an end-to-end assessment platform promoting critical thinking , originality , and the prevention of plagiarism — developed a course named “ AI and the Law ”. Chittenden views AI as a resource that must be both examined and embraced . “ I incorporated AI into my teaching because students are expected to use it after leaving the incubator of academic instruction ,” she said . “ Each week , we conducted experiments with AI , from testing its limitations to leveraging it as a study aid . The goal was to demystify AI while fostering critical thinking about its use .”
Challenges in Assessment and Academic Integrity
While AI serves as a valuable learning aid , it also complicates traditional assessments . Dr . Daniel Ray , a lead faculty instructor in the Organizational Management department at St . Johns River State College , pointed out that AI ’ s ability to generate polished essays raised questions about whether students truly understood the material . “ Assessing competency versus confidence is a challenge ,” he
Kristen Chittenden
noted . “ Quizzes and written assignments alone don ’ t provide the full picture , so I rely on verbal and visual assessments to ensure students grasp the concepts .”
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