Using AI to Draft Module Overviews

A module overview is an introduction that explains a module's content, typically found at the beginning of a page. It encompasses the module’s learning outcomes and highlights the content and major assignments students should expect to encounter. Acting as a guide for students' coursework and materials, the module overview sets the stage for each week by reviewing key information. It should be informative, engaging, and appealing, capturing students' attention and making the content visually attractive. To support the Module, you can include videos, text, etc.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can expedite the process of writing a module overview. By providing a brief description of the Course or Module to AI tools like ChatGPT, you can generate a weekly description of the Module, including information about the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs) for a more concise description. Other information you can includes detail about each weeks reading, the book/material, and connect with other weeks work. While AI can assist with outlining the main points, it is still necessary for us to polish the module overview, refining and revising the text to create a sophisticated and comprehensive guide for the students.

Sample Prompt 

When using an AI, it is important to have a detailed description of the module overview. List items such as an introduction to the module, a description of what's expected this week, reminders for students to look at the syllabus, writing the CLOs' expectations, and also writing down the MLOs' expectations for that Module. An example will be provided below.

“Help me write one module overview for a course on the Implications of Art Within a Society. Write an introduction to the course, Implications of Art Within a Society, including a description detailing how art affects different societies. Write another topic that has Course Learning Outcomes, which includes five descriptions of art in societies; and write 2-3 Module Learning Outcomes, this week's task includes demonstrating what art is, and discussing students' experience of art.”

Tips and Best Practices 

Give the AI the Right Information

When working with AI, it can be helpful to give as much information and detailed instruction as you can in your prompt. The more information you provide the more concise and clear the AI will generate your prompt. Below are some prompts you can use to ask the AI. 

• Define the Introduction: Include details about the course name, add the name of the Module and a description of the course.

• Provide Context: Include information about the Course, how long the course is, and description details about CLOs and MLOs.

• Specify CLOs: Include a brief description of each CLO to be added on each week. 

• Specify MLO’s: Include a brief description of each MLO per week.