Digital Learning Blog

Humanizing Generative AI

April 28, 2026  / Digital Learning  / Tags: Digital Learning, elevate with AI, Generative AI

A recent article published by Faculty Focus, Humanizing Generative AI: Three Ways to Keep Students at the Center of Your Classroom, discussed the importance of humanizing generative AI in online course.

When integrating generative AI into your course, begin by clearly defining the learning experience you want to design, and then identify technologies that support those goals. The priority should be to create meaningful, engaging, and effective learning for students. A useful guiding question from the article is: "How can AI support a more transformative, student-centered learning experience?" The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework emphasizes that transformative instruction emerges from the intersection of content expertise, pedagogical approach, and appropriate technology use. In this context, generative AI should be evaluated based on whether it meaningful enhances student learning or improves instructional efficiency.

Here are three helpful ways you can humanize generative AI in your course:

1. AI for Differentiation
   
   Use AI to support various learners without reducing academic rigor. AI can help adapt materials by leveling text, providing vocabulary support, or offering audio or visual summaries, while students remain responsible for the learning.
   
   Try it: Ask AI to create multiple summarized or leveled versions of a course reading, then let
   students choose the version that best supports their learning.
   
   
2. AI as a Thinking Partner
   
   Design activities where students interact with AI rather than rely on it for answers. When students analyze, question, and critique AI output, they engage in deeper inquiry, reflection, and critical thinking
   
   Try it: Have students use AI as part of an assignment and then reflect o what the tool did well, where it was inaccurate, and how the interaction influenced their understanding.
   
   
3. AI for Learning Design
   
   Use AI to redesign one existing assignment, discussion, or assessment by creating an alternative format or adding deeper-thinking questions.

This chart below summarizes the above three faculty-friendly ways to use generative AI in your online course while keeping student learning at the center.

Use this information as a starting point to explore how generative AI might support learning in your course. If you have questions or want help getting started, contact your Instructional Designer.

Source

Violanti, Dr. R. J. (2026, April 22). Humanizing generative AI: Three ways to keep students at the center of your classroom. Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/humanizing-generative-ai-three-ways-to-keep-students-at-the-center-of-your-classroom/