AI and Learning

Artificial intelligence can personalize learning processes, support learners, and open up new possibilities. When used correctly, it promotes independence and individualized learning. At the same time, it is important to consciously take advantage of opportunities and critically reflect on limitations. This page provides practical examples of how AI can support learning.

Self-Directed Learning

In self-directed learning, it is important to structure the learning process independently. AI can help organize materials, identify key points, and develop comprehension questions. This allows students to maintain an overview, build their knowledge step by step, and pinpoint areas where they need to improve.

e.g., NotebookLM

NotebookLM transforms your own materials (texts, PDFs, notes) into a personalized learning system. Learners can structure content, summarize it, generate comprehension questions—and even listen to the content using the podcast feature for flexible review.

Prompt example:
“Summarize the key points from my uploaded materials and formulate three comprehension questions based on them. Also, create a diagram that visualizes the relationships.”

ChatGPT and Other Language Models

Dialogue-based AI can ask questions, point out contradictions, and encourage learners to think more deeply. In this way, it helps develop reflective and critical thinking skills.

Prompt example:
Engage in a Socratic dialogue with me on the topic of [TOPIC]. Ask me questions that test my understanding, point out contradictions, and encourage me to further develop my arguments.

Chat AI (with university access) (opens in a new window)

Further Reading: A Socratic Dialogue with AI

Promoting Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves examining arguments, identifying contradictions, and further developing one’s own positions. AI can support this process by stimulating dialogue, asking questions, and thereby challenging users to think critically. This fosters the ability to critically examine knowledge and reflect on it in a well-informed manner.

Research & Gain an Overview

A key skill in college is the ability to quickly find, organize, and critically evaluate information. AI-powered tools can help create summaries, highlight key terms, and identify sources. However, it remains important to verify results and combine them with traditional research methods.

e.g., Semantic Scholar

Semantic Scholar is an AI-powered academic search engine that provides access to academic publications and displays additional information such as citations, references, and thematically related articles. It helps users find literature on a topic and gain an overview of the current state of research.

Semantic Scholar (Sign In with Institution: University of Kassel) (opens in a new window)

e.g., Anki (with tools such as AnkiBuddy)

Anki is based on the principle of “spaced repetition” and is ideal for retaining knowledge long-term. With extensions like AnkiBuddy, you can automatically create flashcards from text or PDFs.

Prompt example:
“Create 10 flashcards in Anki format from this text. Make sure the questions include both factual knowledge and comprehension questions and are arranged in a logical order.”

Review & Reinforce

Targeted review is essential for ensuring that learning material is retained in long-term memory. Digital flashcards are particularly well-suited for building knowledge step by step and testing it regularly.

Reflecting on Opportunities and Limitations

Artificial intelligence offers many opportunities for learning, but it also presents challenges. These include dependency, a lack of source verification, privacy concerns, and potential biases. Instructors can help students use AI in a conscious and reflective manner—and discuss together when AI is appropriate and when it is better to do without it.

The following two videos by Nina Bach provide some insights on this topic.

Generative AI for Theses

This course offered by the AI Campus helps students use generative AI in their academic work in a thoughtful, responsible, and learning-oriented manner. Through interactive exercises and opportunities for reflection, they can explore the limitations, risks, and framework conditions of generative AI and learn about specific ways to apply it.

AI Campus Course (external service) (opens in a new window)