Critical AI Literacy Workshop
Context
Every semester, I face a dual challenge in the composition classroom. Students are hesitant to openly discuss their AI use and lack critical literacy about AI’s strengths and limitations. Because AI literacy is now an essential component of information literacy, students must learn to approach these technologies as constructive tools rather than academic traps. I designed and implemented a Critical AI Literacy Workshop at the start of the semester to establish transparency and consensus. This initiative normalizes ethical AI use and sets up a clear, collaborative tone for the entire semester.
Application
The workshop bridges open dialogue with hands-on, critical evaluation through a five-step process:
Step 1: Opening Dialogue
The workshop begins with an icebreaker to explore students’ current AI habits and attitudes, lowering the barrier to open discussion.
Step 2: Instruction
With a presentation slide deck, I facilitate an interactive discussion on how large language models function, effective prompt engineering, algorithmic biases, hallucinations, and ethical implications.
Step 3: Application
Guided by a worksheet, students prompt an AI tool to summarize a core course reading and brainstorm essay topics, evaluating the machine’s initial thematic accuracy.
Step 4: Evaluation
Students complete a short freewriting exercise on a specific prompt, instruct an AI to respond to the identical prompt, and conduct a side-by-side evaluation. This allows them to compare human writing with AI-generated output, reflecting on what the technology does well and where it falls short.
Step 5: Reflection
The workshop culminates in critical reflection, sharing, and student surveys. This data allows me to measure engagement, gauge evolving student interest, and refine the workshop for subsequent semesters.
Outcomes
Before these sessions, students tended to use AI without much thinking, treating it much like a search engine. After the initial workshop and subsequent discussions, I observed students applying AI literacy in evaluating AI output. They also began viewing AI use as a rhetorical choice, just as they select a specific medium, tone, language, purpose, or source when writing. Ultimately, the best part of this initiative is the honest conversation it sparks. Together, we have created a safe space where students experiment with AI and become more confident in their use of it.
Included Materials
- Policy Handout: Ethical AI Use in College Writing guidelines
- Presentation: Comprehensive workshop slide deck
- In-Class Worksheets: Guided student activities for Steps 1, 3, and 4
- Samples: Student samples
- Assessment Tool: Post-workshop feedback and engagement survey