Professor applies AI to history courses at UNM
Fred Gibbs, various history courses
What prompted your use of AI for your classes? AI is not going away, so we need to learn to use it for our disciplines and our students.
Describe the work you are doing with AI related to your class, including the tools you use. I use Claude Code and ChatGPT Desktop (formerly Codex) with paid subscriptions and free versions of those, and NebulaOne (as a beta tester). I use them to review, clarify syllabi, role play with students for assignments, and my research investigates how agentic AI can produce scholarship.
How did the use of AI impact the outcome?I can ask students to show their critical thinking with AI and evaluate that, rather than having output be a more traditional history class assignment that is a lot more content based than performance based.
How did students react to the use of AI? Did you see improved student engagement or learning? The assignments were successful in their goals and provoked critical thinking that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise (although it’s not a replacement for non-AI thinking), and therefore is a good complement.
What role (if any) do your concerns about the consequences of AI (environmental, social, academic, others) play in your work with AI? I always discuss all consequences with students, but we still have to learn to use it so it’s not guided by people who don’t understand it and its costs, risks, and limitations.
What surprised you about your work to integrate more AI? Even in a class on critical thinking with AI, students did not come in as sophisticated users (which surprised me), but left with more confidence about using it productively to learn.
Do you have advice for other faculty trying your idea? Work collaboratively and exploratory with students as we are all learning together. Students want some agency with AI, not just lessons.
Would you like to share an AI resource or information you have found especially useful for academics? Yes. The Amaranth Digital Humanities Studio has published an AI Sketchbook of faculty projects.
Fred Gibbs is an associate professor of history at UNM.