This article is a part of our Transforming Assessment for Modern Learning Spaces series.
Author: Tim Palmer, instructional design specialist
As artificial intelligence continues to shape how people work, learn, and communicate, instructors in adult education have a unique opportunity to guide students in using AI tools with purpose and integrity. When generative AI is integrated into online courses as part of structured learning activities, it becomes a tool for exploration, feedback, and growth rather than a shortcut for assignments.
For instructors using Canvas in fully asynchronous courses, this guide provides practical ways to introduce AI tools like ChatGPT into your curriculum through well-designed, standards-aligned learning activities. Each activity includes the rationale, setup instructions, course-specific examples, learning outcome connections, and Canvas-specific implementation tips. All activities are intended for adult learners studying for personal or professional development, and each supports digital literacy and real-world relevance.
By designing these moments of AI engagement intentionally, instructors can help students achieve the following:
- Learn to use AI tools to support their understanding, not replace it
- Build transferable skills in communication, analysis, and ethical decision-making
- Maintain academic integrity while exploring how AI fits into modern knowledge work
Article Contents
Activity 1: AI as Study Partner and Practice Tool
Activity 2: Compare Student and AI Responses
Activity 3: AI-Assisted Revision Practice
Activity 4: AI-Powered Scenario Simulation
Activity 5: Reflect on the Ethics of AI Use
Conclusion: Designing AI with Purpose
Activity 1: AI as Study Partner and Practice Tool
Purpose & Pedagogical Rationale
Adult learners thrive when they are given flexible, autonomous tools for reinforcing knowledge. This activity allows students to engage in self-directed review or skills practice using free generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Unlike static study guides, AI provides real-time interaction, helping students uncover knowledge gaps, test their understanding, and receive on-demand feedback. This approach supports formative learning, self-efficacy, and learner autonomy.
Instructional Setup
Instructors design one or more structured prompts for students to use with a free AI tool. Prompts can encourage AI to quiz the student, simulate a real-world conversation, or test understanding of a key concept. The instructor’s role is to frame the activity’s purpose, provide clear instructions, and (optionally) guide students in reflecting on their interaction with the AI.
Example Applications
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Course: Public Health Foundations
Prompt: “Quiz me on the five stages of the epidemiologic transition. If I get a stage wrong, explain what I missed and ask me a follow-up question.” -
Course: Business Communication
Prompt: “Act as a client. I will explain why our project deadline has to move. Give me feedback on my explanation and ask questions a real client might ask.”
SLO Alignment
- Demonstrate comprehension of course-specific terminology and concepts
- Communicate effectively in simulated or real-world contexts
- Apply feedback and revise ideas based on new information
- Use technology to support self-directed learning
Recommended Tools
- ChatGPT (free) – Most conversational and accessible; good for simulations
- Claude or Gemini (free versions) – Strong at summarizing longer texts or generating structured feedback
- Copilot (free with Microsoft account) – Useful if students are already using Microsoft apps
Canvas Implementation Guidance
Ungraded Practice Activity:
- Create a Canvas Page or Module item titled “Practice with AI: Week 3 Concept Check”
- Include step-by-step instructions, context for the prompt, and links to recommended AI tools
Low-Stakes Canvas Assignment:
- Create a Canvas Assignment titled “AI Practice Reflection”
- Ask students to submit a short summary of what they learned, a screenshot of or shared link to their AI conversation, or a few sentences about what they want to review further
- Use a simple rubric to assess participation and reflection
Read articles at the Assignments Central Hub for more information about how to setup Assignments in Canvas.
Activity 2: Compare Student and AI Responses
Purpose & Pedagogical Rationale
This activity asks students to compare their own work with AI-generated output. This contrast reveals strengths and limitations in both their thinking and the AI’s reasoning. It supports critical thinking, fosters analytical writing, and helps students evaluate the quality of their own ideas against an external benchmark. For adult learners, it reinforces the importance of voice, expertise, and professional judgment.
Instructional Setup
Instructors assign a prompt or question. Students first respond on their own, then ask the same question to an AI tool and compare both responses. They reflect on accuracy, tone, clarity, and persuasiveness. Instructors can structure this activity as a formative self-check or a peer-discussion launchpad.
Example Applications
-
Course: Project Management Essentials
Prompt: "Describe three strategies for resolving team conflict on a project." -
Course: Creative Writing
Prompt: "Write a short, vivid description of a storm."
SLO Alignment
- Critically evaluate written communication
- Apply course frameworks to analyze decisions or perspectives
- Reflect on writing choices and revise for improvement
Recommended Tools
- ChatGPT or Claude – Best for generating clear, readable output for comparison
- Gemini – Useful for response evaluation and critique with explanations
Canvas Implementation Guidance
Canvas Assignment:
- Post the original prompt in the assignment instructions
- Ask students to submit: their own response, the AI’s version, and a 1-paragraph comparison
- Use a rubric to assess clarity, reflection, and insight
Canvas Discussion (optional):
- Allow students to post their AI insights and see how others interpreted the same task
Read articles at the Discussions Central Hub for more information about how to setup Discussions in Canvas.
Activity 3: AI-Assisted Revision Practice
Purpose & Pedagogical Rationale
This activity builds students' revision and editing skills by treating AI as a second pair of eyes. Students draft a piece of writing and then ask AI for suggestions to improve clarity, tone, or structure. They review and reflect on the AI's feedback and decide what changes to implement. This supports iterative writing, judgment, and digital literacy.
Instructional Setup
Instructors provide revision-focused prompts and encourage students to view AI feedback critically, not automatically. Instructors can include a checklist or sentence stems to help students reflect on which changes they accepted and why.
Example Applications
-
Course: Grant Writing
Prompt: "Here is a draft of my funding rationale. Suggest improvements to tone, clarity, and formatting." -
Course: Professional English as a Second Language
Prompt: "Suggest corrections and improvements to this professional email. Explain your suggestions."
SLO Alignment
- Revise writing for clarity, tone, and audience
- Incorporate constructive feedback from multiple sources
- Strengthen professional communication skills
Recommended Tools
- ChatGPT or Copilot – For sentence-level editing and tone analysis
- Claude – Especially strong with longform writing and revision suggestions
Canvas Implementation Guidance
Canvas Assignment:
- Instruct students to paste a draft and the AI feedback they received
- Include a reflection prompt such as: “What did you revise based on the feedback, and what did you keep? Why?”
- Add a rubric that assesses use of feedback, quality of revision, and critical thinking
Activity 4: AI-Powered Scenario Simulation
Purpose & Pedagogical Rationale
Scenario-based learning helps adult learners transfer theoretical knowledge into applied decision-making. In this activity, students interact with an AI-simulated persona in a structured situation. This promotes practice, empathy, and real-world readiness. It is especially useful in communication-heavy, ethical, or customer-focused fields.
Instructional Setup
Instructors design a scenario and prompt that students can use to simulate a conversation. AI might act as a customer, patient, manager, or colleague. Students engage in the scenario, then reflect on the exchange and how it informs their thinking.
Example Applications
-
Course: Health Coaching
Prompt: "Act as a client hesitant to change eating habits. I will practice motivational interviewing. Respond realistically." -
Course: Human Resource Management
Prompt: "Act as an employee who is underperforming and upset about a recent evaluation. Let me practice giving feedback."
SLO Alignment
- Apply professional communication strategies in real-time
- Practice conflict resolution and empathy in simulated settings
- Reflect on personal effectiveness in applied scenarios
Recommended Tools
- ChatGPT – Most natural at persona-based simulations
- Claude – Useful for more structured scenario responses or roleplaying scripts
Canvas Implementation Guidance
Canvas Assignment:
- Provide the scenario and prompt in the instructions
- Ask students to submit a transcript of their interaction and a reflection on what they learned
- Ask students to research and align AI outputs with real sources from the internet
- Consider follow-up peer review or instructor feedback
Activity 5: Reflect on the Ethics of AI Use
Purpose & Pedagogical Rationale
AI use in professional and academic contexts raises important ethical questions. This activity helps students think critically about how, when, and why they use AI tools—and where the boundaries should lie. Reflection-based assignments develop metacognition, professional responsibility, and digital citizenship.
Instructional Setup
Instructors present an ethical question or short case study about AI use. Students respond individually or in a discussion format, using reasoning, values, and course-aligned thinking. This activity works especially well at course midpoints or endpoints.
Example Applications
-
Course: Marketing Strategy
Prompt: "Is it ethical to use AI to write a client pitch? Why or why not? What are the risks and benefits?" -
Course: Academic Preparation for International Students
Prompt: "Your friend used ChatGPT to write a paper and received a warning. What advice would you give them?"
SLO Alignment
- Apply ethical reasoning to digital tool use
- Analyze the consequences of technology decisions
- Reflect on personal responsibility in academic and professional settings
Recommended Tools
- Any AI platform – Focus is on the topic of AI, not tool use
Canvas Implementation Guidance
Canvas Discussion:
- Post the ethical prompt as a discussion
- Require initial posts and responses to two peers
- Encourage diverse perspectives and values
Canvas Assignment (alternative):
- Use a short essay format for more developed responses
- Grade based on reasoning, clarity, and connection to course values
Free AI Tools for Students
There are many free AI models to use, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, especially with free-to-use models. Experiment with different models to see which ones you prefer for which tasks. ChatGPT is one of the best entry-level AI models for students to use, so you may want to start there.
- ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/
- Claude AI - https://claude.ai/
- Google Gemini - https://gemini.google.com/
- Microsoft Copilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/
Conclusion: Designing AI with Purpose
Each of these activities allows instructors to position AI not as a threat to academic integrity, but as a partner in meaningful learning. By creating structured, relevant assignments that include AI tools, instructors model ethical use, support skill development, and foster digital literacy.
Using Canvas to integrate these assignments ensures consistency and makes it easier for students to engage with new technology in familiar formats. Most importantly, instructors retain control over how AI shows up in their classrooms—as a deliberate, purposeful element of instruction aligned with course learning outcomes.
When AI is embedded thoughtfully, it becomes part of a larger toolkit that supports student success in today’s rapidly evolving world.
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Disclaimer: This article was partially drafted with AI assistance (ChatGPT). Final content has been reviewed and refined by Instructor Excellence to ensure accuracy and quality.