Charles Allison
Generative AI in Teaching, for Entrepreneurship
This hands-on, highly interactive course teaches students how to assess an idea, find funding, and bring the product to the market. We review the concept of entrepreneurship and the practices associated with the successful development and launch of a start-up. This is a practical course that combines the use of real-world case studies, background notes, and readings from sources specializing in entrepreneurship, marketing, etc., with real-life exercises such as developing an elevator pitch, devising a business plan, and delivering an investor presentation.
Faculty Reflection
“I had them (students) do this all individually because I didn’t want them to be biased in a group, although I’d like them to do this in teams, next time so they can have conversations with each other—maybe start it individually, give them the results, then work in groups, then ask them in the survey and see how their opinions changed. The other thing I think I would do…and how I would incorporate AI better in my next classes is case analysis: have students read the cases, and have different scenarios. A case in business is a scenario that says there’s a protagonist in a scenario and they’re trying to do A, B, C, D, choices; and some students will pick choice A, B, C, D. And there are no wrong answers, some are more, and then have a conversation around that, the pluses and merits of each of these, and have them reflect on the other scenarios. I feel better prepared now, embracing AI, compared to the students…” who refused AI. “I think those students now, when I gave them these choices, think that they can see how they can use AI now.”
Survey Questions
“What are the core skills you think you’ll need in the future?”
1. AI and Big Data
2. Technological Literacy
3. Creative Thinking
“What out-of-focus skills are not as necessary?”
1. Teaching and Mentoring
2. Quality Control
3. Global Citizenship
4. Programming
“What are the steady skills you think you’ll need, but won’t increase?”
1. Empathy and Active Listening
2. Service Orientation and Customer Service
“What emerging skills are expect to increase in the future?”
1. Networks and Cybersecurity
2. Environmental Stewardship
3. Design and User Experience