Re-imagining Assignments with an AI Twist

[MarisaBluestone]

What’s the right balance between leveraging technology and fostering human creativity?

When calculators first appeared in classrooms, many worried they would hinder students from fully grasping math concepts. The same concerns arose when the internet became a go-to tool for research—people feared it would weaken students' ability to think critically and analyze deeply. But today, we know that when used responsibly, both technologies can help enhance learning and create efficiencies that allow students to dive into more meaningful understanding.

Now, we’re facing a similar moment with AI. Some wonder if it will dull students’ creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Can it instead help students move past routine tasks and into richer, more engaging learning experiences the same way that calculators and the internet have? The answer is both yes and no—it depends entirely on how we choose to use AI in the classroom.

Incorporating AI into assignments offers a unique opportunity to nurture creativity and innovation, but it requires careful thought. Done right, AI can complement creativity rather than replace it.

Striking a Balance

The trick is balance. Students need to understand that AI isn’t a substitute for their own thinking. It can be a tool, but it shouldn’t do the heavy lifting. This is a lesson that some students learn the hard way, which can lead to turning in assignments that lack their own thoughts, perspective and voice. 

Instructors can often pick up on subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) clues that students are relying too much on AI. For example, assignments may suddenly shift in tone, using language that feels generic or inconsistent with the student’s usual writing style. Sentences may sound polished but lack depth or reflection. Responses could seem disconnected from class discussions or previous work. If the content feels overly formulaic or includes concepts that were never mentioned in class, chances are that AI has taken a bigger role than intended. That’s why establishing policies and guardrails up front about proper AI use is so critical.

Some educators have found success by using AI to help students brainstorm ideas or generate initial drafts, but with a catch: students must refine, critique, and add their personal insights to the work. Setting clear guidelines for how AI fits into assignments keeps students focused on engaging deeply with the material and prevents them from using AI as a shortcut.

One of the biggest challenges with AI is keeping the focus on the core learning objectives. It’s easy for the technology itself to take center stage, especially when students get caught up in its capabilities. But AI should be used as a supporting tool, not the star of the show. For example, AI can help refine language or spark ideas, but the students must remain in control of the creative process. They should be the ones shaping and developing the work, not the AI.

Another concern is the quality of AI-generated content. In subjects like science or technical writing, where precision is critical, AI can sometimes provide incomplete or inaccurate responses. But this presents a teaching moment—educators can guide students through critically assessing and improving AI-generated content, turning potential pitfalls into learning opportunities. Accuracy is a recurring issue with AI, especially with the phenomenon of “hallucination,” where the AI confidently produces incorrect information. 

There’s also the risk that students might become overly reliant on AI, raising concerns about originality and academic integrity. To counter this, educators can include reflective prompts or ask students to document how they used AI and what role it played in their work. This transparency helps students stay accountable for their contributions and reinforces the value of their own efforts.

How to Create AI-Enhanced Assignments

1. Start with a Clear Purpose: Identify the core skills or objectives you want students to develop. AI should enhance—not distract from—the learning goals. For example, if the assignment focuses on critical analysis, let AI assist with gathering data or generating examples, but make sure students are responsible for critical thinking and evaluation.
2. Use AI as a Creative Tool: Assignments like brainstorming, ideation, or content drafting are great places to introduce AI. Let students use AI to generate ideas, but require them to refine, reorganize, and personalize those ideas. This approach keeps them engaged in the creative process while benefiting from AI’s efficiency.
3. Encourage Critical Thinking: Design assignments that involve comparing AI-generated content to student-generated work. Ask students to evaluate the accuracy and quality of the AI’s output. For example, in a writing class, students could critique an AI-generated paragraph, edit it, and explain their reasoning behind the changes. This develops critical analysis skills and helps students spot AI’s limitations.
4. Integrate Reflection: Include reflective components in AI-enhanced assignments. Ask students to document how they used AI, what they found helpful, and where they disagreed with the AI. This not only helps with ethical considerations but also deepens students’ understanding of how technology influences their thinking process.
5. Provide Guardrails: Be clear about how much assistance AI is allowed to provide. For example, you might allow students to use AI for drafting but not for final revisions, or for brainstorming but not for solving complex problems. These guardrails help maintain a balance between AI’s utility and students’ intellectual engagement.
6. Build in Collaboration: You can also have students work in pairs or groups to use AI in a collaborative setting. For example, students could collaborate on refining AI-generated content, debate its quality, and collectively agree on changes. This encourages communication and teamwork while keeping the learning experience human-centered.

Ultimately the challenge with AI is the same as it was with calculators and the internet: finding that sweet spot where technology enhances learning without overshadowing the essential skills we want our students to develop. AI offers incredible possibilities for re-imagining assignments, but like any tool, it’s how we use it that matters most. With careful planning, clear boundaries, and a focus on creativity, we can help students not just use AI—but thrive alongside it.

So what’s the right balance between leveraging technology and fostering human creativity? The answer lies in using AI thoughtfully—as a tool that supports students’ growth, encourages their critical thinking, and leaves space for their creativity to flourish.