There’s an AI for that!
Pretty much every day, during conversations with clients, family or friends, that phrase makes itself present.
It used to be, “I’ll just google that” and we did.
The implementation of search engines opened our world, and there was a fundamental shift in not just the L&D world but also how we as individuals learnt about the world around us.
The 90s brought the dawn of a collection of evolving search engines—Yahoo- which still resounds in my head with its catchy yodelling marketing.
Ask Jeeves swiftly followed this, and then, in 1998, Google—a free, accessible, never-ending encyclopaedia of knowledge that changed everything.
With the advent of job sites, we were all introduced to the world of monster.com and total jobs.
Working in recruitment, I went from storing paper files to setting up searches on online databases and posting jobs.
It was all very exciting.
But now, more and more, I’ll hop online and go straight to my AI tool of choice. And plot spoiler: I do use more than one. I’m not sure when it happened. I distinctly remember those discussions at work whether I preferred to use Google or MSN, now renamed Bing.
I was, I am, a Google fan. It is my preferred search engine of choice, and it is always set to my default internet search engine, despite the best efforts of my laptop’s operating system, which appears to have its own opinion on the matter. Google has solved many of my ponderings and was a constant sidekick during my work and personal life, and it still is- just how I use it has changed.
At some point in the last few years, it has taken a back seat for me, at least in terms of searching for information. And that good morning is now reserved for Aidan.
Aidan is my primary AI tool, at least for being my ever-available online colleague and adding his perspective to my ponderings.
Aidan is also known as ChatGPT and is involved in many of my day-to-day activities. I don’t use a fancy paid version; he’s very good at his job, and it's better not to have another overhead when the bottom line matters.
We’ve had another revolution. And it’s a loud one, but in all honesty, I find AI is a world of overwhelm.
Everyone has a recommendation, which invariably I’m not using. No longer a quick decision between key players, hundreds if not thousands of AI tools are all purported to make your life easier, better and more straightforward.
I have tried many. Peers, clients and friends recommended lots, some I found whilst googling- yes, I still do that; and I have been known, on occasion, to ask AI what AI it recommends.
But for now, I’ll focus on what I use today. Whether at the start or the end of a client’s project, invariably, I will have an AI tool involved to enable me to deliver quicker, with more efficiency and accuracy, allowing me to pass on those savings to my clients, which is always a winner.
“Generative AI has the potential to change the world in ways that we can’t even imagine. It has the power to create new ideas, products, and services that will make our lives easier, more productive, and more creative.”
In this article, I’ll explore how AI can assist you in your e-learning design and development projects, keeping you firmly in the driving seat. Find out what I’m using right now and works for me; and where I want to explore further.
Many AI tools are out there, and the options in the L&D world are vast. What you would benefit from may vary from me.
Indeed, the world of chatbots, smart learning management systems and data analytics offer great solutions for others in the L&D world, but for me, my priority is on those that support my e-learning client work.
My initial steps using AI were with voice technology.
Back in 2009, I was keen to find a better way to support course reviews. No one liked using word-based storyboards to review an e-learning course, and it was hard to imagine how the script would sound when narrated in the course.
Edits and feedback took months to gain back, and courses were taking too long to complete.
It was early days, but the first cheap AI-generated voice-overs were available.
I had the choice of one female and one male-sounding voice, which converted text into speech. I was able to add a simple narration to the draft course. Draft e-learning courses with slightly robotic voices were shared with clients, and I’ve never looked back.
Today, AI-generated voices are a standard feature and still a great method of finalising scripts, even if replaced by a human for production. Though, frequently now, with the high quality and authentic voices available, many clients are happy to keep with the AI version. It’s quick to generate, easy to update and a low-cost solution.
I followed the inclusion of voice technology with people.
I frequently use the photographic style in my courses, whether as presenters or for working through a scenario.
My style is always to keep it simple. To focus on applying good instructional design and putting the learner first.
I prefer the photographic style to the illustrative as it works better with neurodiverse learners, but not every client has a budget for photography or videography.
Finding a series of images for a character displaying the appropriate facial expression or pose can be difficult and expensive.
With the arrival of avatar generators that create photorealistic images and video, companies like Synthesia and Colossyan can create AI-generated content quickly that can be updated and edited, just like film footage.
I tried Vyond, but it wasn’t for me; its output is still predominantly illustrative. It can be a great solution for some users, but I have yet to find it a home in my tool set.
AI assistance also helps me remove backgrounds from images and, on occasion, creates a suitable background for courses. I’ve used it to create images for me, though AI clearly does not have a head for maths, and the reports of multiple heads, an unusual number of fingers, and not understanding the difference between a hexagon and a pentagon can definitely be confirmed.
It’s very literal in its prompt interpretation, and grammar is most definitely needed.
I’m still playing with image generation. Midjourney is a tool many use in the e-learning world, and I dabble with it. Today, I still prefer to use photographic resource sites for client’s courses. But it’s a fast-evolving tool, and my approach may change sooner rather than later.
But where does Aidan, aka ChatGPT, fit in?
Initially, I replicated my approach to Google. That of using it as a search engine to find information sources for me. I asked it a question, and it replied with a written summary. Then, it politely asked me if that was okay and if it could provide further assistance. I, of course, thanked it for its help and politely declined.
I grew bolder with my questions, researched how others were using ChatGPT and started playing around with prompts, which began adding value to my day.
Through trial and error, I was able to generate basic content. A great starter for ten, accelerating my thinking and inspiring me to create my own content.
It became a sounding post for ideas, and because it talked back to me, it enabled me to benefit from the water cooler chat that I miss when working from home.
Today, I find it generates great multiple-choice questions for assessments. I send it my content, and it will create a set of questions with realistic answers. I can define the assessment level and explain the persona; it will respond with appropriate content. It does require review and editing. It isn’t a perfect solution, but it does speed up the process. This functionality has now been added to my existing course authoring tools, so even Aidan is becoming obsolete.
Have I asked ChatGPT to write a course for me? Yes. Did I use it? No. Will I use AI in the future? Maybe.
I’m still researching and improving the prompts. It’s great at generating a standard PowerPoint-style course and suggesting structure to my content. It can recommend outlines and points to cover, but it's still only a starter, no matter what the tools have promised me.
I’ve found it better at dialogue generation and storyboarding for scenarios.
ChatGPT uses natural language processing well and, given a particular prompt regarding language, culture and setting, delivers interesting scenarios.
It’s very much a to-and-fro process between Aidan and me, but when faced with a blank sheet of paper, it fast-tracks the rough storyboarding of an idea to a point where I can run with it and build it out.
Grammarly is another tool that is continually by my side, suggesting revisions for clarity, spelling or grammar.
It is an essential for me in my constant efforts to deliver content that delivers a great learner experience. Meeting the needs of our ever-diversifying audiences and cutting through the sheer volume of course content that has exploded in the last few years.
It’s a tool I trust and it delivers. Refining and polishing my content to give my clients the best I can deliver.
So it’s great for supporting content development. But I keep seeing how AI could change a learner’s journey- make it personal! A top headline for a great use of AI.
Many statements exist about AI’s ability to personalise content based on each learner’s progress, preferences, and needs. Much like Amazon recommends products on our previous searches or shopping baskets, LMS platforms suggest courses to learners given specific information about that person, and courses adjust to show the relevant content to learners.
I don’t use AI to provide in-course customisation. I already offer adaptive learning paths by building branching and assessment outcomes in courses which modify the content displayed.
However, I can see how it brings more focus and interest, and ultimately demand to be delivering a learner-oriented course, which can only be a good thing.
Where else do I see the use of AI?
Chatbots like Ava provide a great way to review and get feedback on a learner’s contribution.
Many of these chatbots are available and are a quick way to check learner understanding, albeit in the early days. I’m not sure that the feedback feels as valid as a human one, but it’s a tool that gives us another opportunity to support the learning experience when used carefully.
Going forward, I expect AI-assisting technology to continue to add to my day.
It’s a great support to my business activities as well as my day job, and my love for new shiny things will inevitably mean I will continue to experiment and explore how to use AI technology as it continues to evolve.
This blog was written by me with the ever-supportive efforts of Grammarly checking my prose and Google search answering my facts on its origins; I gave Aidan the day off.
Hopefully, this has given you some inspiration for using AI in your e-learning projects. I’d love to hear how you use it for your work and any recommendations you have. But, if it all feels a little overwhelming or you want an extra pair of hands or just a sounding block for your project, please contact me and we can manage it together.