Applying AI to writing and problems in introductory science courses

My students often struggle with new, unfamiliar concepts in my introductory physics classes. Some students use AI tools as an aid to complete assignments. But I am concerned whether those tools enhance or inhibit student learning in those assignments. I also teach a first-year seminar class about the electrical power grid, in which my students write a research paper on a topic that is new to them. With the assistance of my campus library, students use artificial intelligence tools like Mapify and Scite.ai combined with other research tools like CQ Researcher and Policy Commons. I find it to be a good first step to help students generate outlines and concept maps of topics with which they are unfamiliar. In this talk, I will describe how my students use AI tools for research and writing. I will also describe possibilities for translating that success into learning physics and acoustics concepts. I am cautiously optimistic that AI combined with traditional homework assignments can enhance rather than short-circuit student learning.