Piloting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Facilitate Online Discussion in Large Online Classes

This chapter unveils the teaching and course design experience when facilitating asynchronous online discussion with an AI-driven platform, Packback. Primarily focusing on the experience of four faculty members at a large public higher education institution in the United States, the case study conducts in-depth inquiries into faculty perception of using AI-driven discussion in teaching and learning. Using a qualitative research design, the researchers present the study and results from practical perspectives when integrating Packback in online classes. The findings of this case study also include the challenges and lessons that the faculty and instructional designers learned to help others implement an AI-based discussion tool. Strategies and recommendations for instructional design and redesign with these newer types of AI-driven online discussion are proposed to inform those in education and technology fields.