AI in Action

Stacy Bodus teaches Liberal Studies, education, writing, and English courses at SDSU Imperial Valley. Her work focuses on research-based, adaptable strategies that empower future educators and foster critical thinking through tools like Packback and generative AI. “I want students to talk about how to own their own learning so that they could also go forward and empower their own students,” she explains, highlighting AI’s role in deepening engagement.

Hannah Friesen, academic and tutor coordinator in SDSU Athletics, uses AI to enhance academic support for student-athletes and optimize her own workload. From study guide prompts to time management tools, she emphasizes informed use and campus policy. “If I pretended it didn’t exist, I was only putting myself and my students at risk of misinformation”.

Katie Hughes, a lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies at SDSU, integrates AI into business writing to promote real-world skills and reflective learning. Students evaluate AI-generated drafts, revise them, and reflect on the process. “Consider this the rough draft, and make it better through revisions,” she tells students. Her approach builds confidence, encourages experimentation, and helps students develop authentic writing voices​.

Melissa Navarro Martell, an Associate Professor in the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education at SDSU, shares how Khanmigo, a free AI tool with 25+ features, streamlines tasks like writing recommendation letters. Though designed for K–12, it’s useful in higher ed too. She advises users to personalize outputs: “This tool needs your expertise to be excellent.” With options to save, share, and edit documents, Khanmigo supports efficiency in teaching and learning.

Jeffery Osborne, an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Affairs at SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley, uses AI to create tailored thesis statement examples for his classes, saving time while reinforcing core writing skills. Students analyze and revise these examples to sharpen their critical thinking. “AI doesn’t replace my teaching. I feel it amplifies it,” he explains, emphasizing how AI enhances traditional instruction without compromising academic rigor.