As the academic landscape continues to evolve, educators in the College of Education & Human Development are pushing the boundaries of traditional online instruction. Rod Case, Ph.D., associate professor of teaching English as a second language (TESOL), has introduced a groundbreaking online instructional approach that enrolls ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, as a full-fledged student in his class.

Case's course explores the theories and research into second language acquisition, which is the site for this new approach. Case and Leping Liu, Ph.D., professor of quantitative methods and learning sciences, developed and adapted the immersive gaming experience with the capabilities of artificial intelligence to be suitable for online instruction.

In this untraditional online class, students find themselves competing against ChatGPT, attempting to outscore it on weekly assignments related to second language acquisition. ChatGPT, like its human counterparts, receives grades for its submissions, creating an environment where students can critically assess its essays on language and reflect on ethical considerations regarding the use of AI in instruction and their own academic work. The course holds particular significance for aspiring English teachers, allowing them to explore the responsible integration of AI, like ChatGPT, into their future classrooms.

The idea arose from months of collaborative efforts between Case and Liu. Their goal was to combine Liu's expertise in course gamification, or creating game-like online course content, with Case's passion for language acquisition and literature.

"I felt like our two fields really complemented each other," Liu said. "Learning sciences and research into the uses of AI combined in unexpected ways with literature, language and culture as a means of improving online instruction.”

To infuse a sense of familiarity and cultural relevance, Case embedded the in-class game within the universe of Frank Herbert's novel and the popular movie adaptation, 'Dune.' As students progress through the course and the associated game, they deepen their understanding of second language acquisition and analyze the transformative cultural and intellectual impact of artificial intelligence on instruction and their own academic work in the course. Case emphasizes that incorporating contemporary gaming culture and science fiction narratives is not a mere distraction but a strategic move to engage students and encourage them to reflect on and think critically about the evolving role of AI in their lives as English teachers.

"I hoped to bring contemporary gaming culture and the stories which emerge from powerful science fiction novels and movies like 'Dune' into my online classes, as well as push students to think about ways in which they can use ChatGPT as a collaborative partner to create academic work," Case said. "At the broadest level, I wanted to superimpose their interests into powerful stories of science fiction/fantasy literature, games and movies in my online courses, making a place that honors those interests."

Both Case and Liu are actively exploring new roles for ChatGPT in online instruction. They are busy giving conference presentations and preparing publications on the results of their collaborative efforts. They eagerly anticipate learning as much from their students, including ChatGPT, as their students learn from them. The course stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of education and the innovative integration of AI in preparing future educators as thinkers and innovators who are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.