Harnessing promise, avoiding pitfalls: ICT education gains Generative AI Toolkit
Generative AI is reshaping the technological world – and researchers are ensuring future tech practitioners are ready as the transformation affects vital sectors like cybersecurity.
A research team led by CQUniversity academics, with RMIT University and Victoria University, has developed the Generative AI Toolkit as part of a research initiative funded by the Australasian Council of Deans of Information and Communications Technology (ACDICT).
The research-informed resource outlines how Generative AI-powered tools can enhance learning in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) discipline.
The toolkit was launched at CQUniversity Melbourne on Thursday 13 March, by CQUniversity Deputy Vice-President Education, Strategy and Quality Professor Christina Hong.
The toolkit identifies 'contentious issues' around GenAI, and strategies for mitigation.
Issues include:
- Decline in human-to-human interaction, crucial for collaborative learning
- Over-reliance on GenAI diminishing critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Students perceiving GenAI as both a legitimate learning assistant and a potential source of plagiarism.
A proposed model for GenAI adoption within university courses includes:
- Guided introduction and training by educators
- Ethical use policy and academic integrity guidelines
- Integrative learning
- Practical skills and workforce readiness
- Continuous feedback and iterative learning.
Lead author and CQU Associate Professor of ICT Ritesh Chugh said the project marked an important step in how universities and educators will respond to the fast-moving technology.
“Artificial intelligence continues to shape education, and Generative AI offers new opportunities for interactive and personalised learning,” Assoc Prof Chugh said.
“These tools have the potential to support students in understanding complex concepts in areas such as programming, networking and cybersecurity.”
The research project, AI-Powered Pedagogy: Exploring the Effectiveness of Generative AI as a Learning Assistant in the ICT Discipline, was established to investigate how these tools can be effectively integrated into ICT education.
The Generative AI Toolkit is a key outcome of the project, developed as a practical resource for both educators and students.
Its comprehensive guidance on integrating AI into learning and teaching also offers insights into the project's findings, via student personas, real-world case studies and prompt guidelines, making it a valuable resource for informed and responsible AI adoption in education.
Assoc Prof Chugh led the project in collaboration with CQU’s Dr Ahsan Morshed, Dr Fariza Sabrina, Dr Salahuddin Azad, Dr Md Mamunur Rashid, with RMIT’s Dr Shahriar Kaisar and Dr Sudha Subramani from Victoria University. As the project progressed, CQU academics Dr Sangeetha Kutty and Dr Darren Turnbull also joined the team.
The research features in a Computer Applications in Engineering Education journal article, with another currently under review.
The researchers hope that the Generative AI Toolkit will encourage further exploration of AI’s role in ICT education, and provide a foundation for educators, students and practitioners.
Assoc Prof Chugh also flagged the broader application of the resource.
“The toolkit not only provides valuable insights for ICT education, but also practical strategies that can be applied across multiple disciplines…to use Generative AI in a meaningful and responsible way.”
