Learning Activities

Contents ☰

Back to top
Academic writing activities
Academic speaking activities
Combined writing & speaking

Examples of Learning Activities

Last updated:

According to the ADDIE model, incorporating AI learning activities that involve both lower-order and higher-order learning is essential as it ensures that learning experiences are deeply engaging and effective in promoting critical thinking skills.

Here are some examples of common “AI-heavy” student learning activities tailored for Academic Writing and Academic Speaking, where AI goes beyond just generating ideas or information:

Academic Writing Activities

Iterative Drafting Sessions

Activity: Students write multiple drafts of an academic paper, using AI to provide detailed feedback on each version regarding clarity, coherence, and argument strength. They can ask specific questions about their writing.

Outcome: Encourages a deeper understanding of the writing process and improves overall writing quality through iterative revisions.

Thesis Statement Workshops

Activity: Students draft thesis statements and use AI to refine them. They can explore various formulations and receive suggestions for making their arguments more precise and compelling.

Outcome: Strengthens the foundation of their papers by ensuring clarity and focus on their thesis statements.

Peer Review Simulation

Activity: Students submit their papers to AI for initial feedback, then conduct peer reviews based on both AI’s suggestions and their own insights. They can also use AI to generate specific questions to guide their peer review.

Outcome: Develops critical evaluation skills and promotes collaborative learning.

Citation and Referencing Practice

Activity: Students input their sources into AI to generate proper citations in various styles (APA, MLA, etc.) and analyze the generated citations for accuracy, appropriateness, and adherence to citation style guidelines.

Outcome: Enhances understanding of academic integrity and proper citation practices.

Argument Development Exercises

Activity: Students outline their main arguments and use AI to help expand these points with evidence, counterarguments, and examples. They can also explore how to structure their arguments effectively.

Outcome: Improves critical thinking and argumentation skills while ensuring well-supported claims.

Comparing GenAI and human-generated texts

Activity: Students will critically discuss the 2 versions of an academic summary (one generated by GenAI tools and one written by a human) in groups and after realizing that one version is generated by GenAI, they will discuss the limitations and risks of using GenAI. This will help students evaluate and analyse what is regarded as accurate and good writing. Afterwards, students will be taught the skills of summarizing an academic article (e.g. paraphrasing skills, use of in-text citations, identifying key information, etc.). Students can then be asked to rewrite the summary on their own and apply the skills of summary writing in practice.

Outcome: Improves critical evaluation skills and increases digital competence.

Academic Speaking Activities

Presentation Preparation

Activity: Students can use AI to help draft their presentations by generating outlines and key points. They can then practice delivering their presentations to AI, which can provide feedback on clarity and engagement.

Outcome: Enhances organization and delivery skills, while boosting confidence in presenting.

Interactive Q&A Sessions

Activity: After preparing a presentation, students can engage in a Q&A session where they ask AI questions related to their topic. They can practise articulating their responses and receive feedback on their explanations.

Outcome: Improves students’ ability to think on their feet and articulate their thoughts clearly under pressure.

Debate Practice

Activity: Students can prepare for debates by using AI to research their position, develop arguments, and anticipate counterarguments. They can practice delivering their arguments to AI and receive suggestions for improvement.

Outcome: Strengthens argumentation and public speaking skills, while fostering critical thinking.

Fluency Exercises

Activity: Students can choose a topic and engage in a timed speaking exercise where they talk about the topic for a set duration. They can then use AI to analyze their performance, focusing on clarity, structure, and language use.

Outcome: Builds confidence and fluency in academic speaking, helping students articulate their ideas more effectively.

Combined Writing and Speaking Activities

Integrated Research Projects

Activity: Students conduct research on a topic, using AI to help draft both a written report and an accompanying presentation. They can receive feedback on both formats simultaneously.

Outcome: Develops cohesive skills in both writing and speaking, ensuring students can effectively communicate their research.

Reflective Learning Journals

Activity: After completing writing and speaking tasks, students use AI to reflect on their experiences, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. They can generate action plans for future assignments.

Outcome: Encourages self-assessment and continuous improvement in both writing and speaking skills.

Useful Free Resources on Designing GenAI tasks from Stanford University:
https://craft.stanford.edu

Back