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GenAI use case: when and how to use one

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can change how you learn, if you use it wisely. Try this three-step method to start using it as an assistant. Explore concrete case uses through hands-on tutorials and get some tips for evaluating GenAI results.

Understand the reflective approach

The reflective approach is a three-step method that lets you make GenAI your precious ally. You will get the most out of GenAI if you use it in your studies, not as a replacement but as a real assistant.

Démarche réfléchie de l'utilisation de l'IAG

Before using GenAI

You work on your own

Before using a GenAI tool, take the time to clarify your intention.

  • Define your expectations: What is your learning goal?
  • Identify your needs: What specifically do you want to delve deeper into?
  • Assess the added value you seek: Why do you need this tool for this project?

Advantages

  • Activates your knowledge
  • Takes a targeted, strategic approach to using GenAI

 

When you use GenAI

You collaborate with it

There are 3 components in this iterative approach:

    1. The prompt: Write precise, well-organized prompts to get the best results
    2. Critical analysis: Develop critical thinking by systematically evaluating the quality of information you obtain. It is your responsibility to verify the quality of the results you plan to use.
    3. The chat: Interact with the tool. Ask it follow-up questions to refine the results and bridge any gaps.

Take a critical look at the results, anticipate possible biases, and compare the information obtained with your own knowledge.

Advantages

  • Strengthens your critical thinking skills
  • Develop your analysis skills and self-control so you can continuously adapt to new situations.

After using GenAI

You work on your own again

After interacting with GenAI, reinvest what you have learned:

  • Consolidate your knowledge: Make links between new information and your pre-existing knowledge.
  • Apply your knowledge: Test it in real-life projects or academic assignments.

Advantages of the reflective approach

The 3 steps in the reflective process help you:

  • Develop critical thinking skills for using GenAI and in general
  • Use the technology in a way that is ethical and well thought out
  • Improve retention of what you have learned
  • Enhance your digital skills
  • Strengthen your professional autonomy

Practical tutorials and real-life examples for using GenAI in your studies

Tutorial 1 – Image creation (Copilot)


Read the video transcript

Role: As a marketing student, I have to create a vibrant, modern image that illustrates a sustainable, urban lifestyle. The image will be used to promote a brand involved in sustainability and urban innovation. It must inspire an environmentally responsible audience, mainly composed of young adults, and reflect the values of an avant-guard and inclusive brand.

Task: The scene must show a diverse group of young professionals working in an outdoor co-working space, surrounded by luxurious greenery, solar panels, and bikes.  The atmosphere must be dynamic, optimistic, and future facing. It must emphasize values like inclusivity, ecology, and technological innovation.

Format: Visual style: futuristic realism with a soft, warm light. Colour palette: green and blue tones and earthy, natural colours.  Elements to include: modern digital devices, urban design, and details that highlight sustainability.

Tutorial 2 – Assisted text correction (ChatGPT)

Read the video transcript

First prompt

Role: As an undergraduate student in business administration, I have to write an analysis.

Task: Correct the entire text.

Format: Without changing the meaning of the text, correct any spelling, grammar, punctuation, or syntax errors and create a table with three columns: 1st column (error), 2nd column (correction), and 3rd column (explanation).

 

Second prompt

If there are repetitions in the text, please show me some synonyms. Without changing the meaning of the text, create a table with 3 columns: 1st column (the repeated word), 2nd column (the proposed synonym), and 3rd column (explanation).

Tutorial 3 – Finals study planning (Claude anthropic)

Read the video transcript

Role: As a master’s student in business administration, I have to plan my studies for finals. I have 4 weeks: December 12: Financial Statements, December 14: Management, December 15, Logistics and Operations Management, and Dec. 17: Marketing.

Task: Based on the principles of neuro-pedagogy, I want a balanced study schedule starting December 4.

Format: In the form of a table, propose a study schedule, allowing for 15 to 20 hours of study per course. I need to study classes 8 to 12 for each course and do one exam simulation per course.

Tutorial 4 – Ideation (Claude anthropic)


Read the video transcript

Role: Management student

Task: Give me some ideas of Quebec businesses (less than 5 years old) in various sectors that would be interesting to analyze in my marketing term paper. For each business, give me a brief description and explain how the business is relevant to the objectives (analysis of environments and research plan).

Tutorial 5 – Receiving feedback (ChatGPT)

Read the video transcript

Role: As an MBA student, I have to write an essay on negotiating workplace mental health policies.

Task: If you were an associate professor and these were your instructions: Copy and paste the instructions.

Format: What is your general assessment? What are the positive points and areas for improvement? What grade would you give me?

Tutorial 6 – Searching for scientific articles (ChatGPT)

Read the video transcript

Role: As a master’s student in business administration, I have to write a term paper on the impact of remote work on employee productivity.

Task: Get tips and recommendations from GenAI to efficiently structure and write this term paper.

Format: Give me suggestions on the following:
Relevant resources and tools I could use to conduct my research and support my analyses.
Best practices to adopt to ensure my work is high quality and rigorous.
Ten recent scientific articles (less than 5 years old) to read.

Tutorial 7 – Analyzing scientific articles (NotebookLM)

Read the video transcript

Première requête
Quels articles partagent des perspectives similaires ou complémentaires?

Seconde requête
Y a-t-il des biais identifiés dans les études?

Techniques for evaluating and analyzing GenAI results

It is important to take a critical approach to the results generated by GenAI tools to ensure reliable and relevant results. This is also an approach that can help prevent cognitive offloading from using GenAI tools.

The S.I.F.T. method

Using the S.I.F.T. method in your approach gives you a structured, recognized strategy through which to rigorously and critically analyze the information generated.

1

Stop and think

Take a moment to evaluate the results:

  • Are they clear and complete?
  • Do they meet your precise needs?

Taking a step back will help you avoid assuming the information provided by GenAI is accurate or what you are seeking.

2

Investigate the source

  • Check the sources cited by GenAI.
  • Make sure they are reliable and adapted.

 

3

Find better sources

  • Confirm the information generated by GenAI by cross-referencing it with external sources (e.g., university databases or academic works).

 

4

Trace the context

  • Look at where the data or concepts used by GenAI are from.
  • Check them for accuracy and context to identify potential biases or weaknesses.

Following these steps will help you become more rigorous and careful when using GenAI and strengthen your critical thinking skills.

Other tips for analyzing GenAI results

  • Be critical with all results you obtain: Keep in mind that even the most coherent results can contain errors or reflect bias.
  • Evaluate the data limitations: Make sure that the data used by GenAI are recent and relevant, especially when it comes to evolving subjects, such as science, law, or technology.
  • Take an academic approach: Use the results GenAI provides as a starting point for deeper reflection and not as a definitive conclusion.

Evaluate your use of GenAI tools

Your learning practices change as you use GenAI tools. It is therefore essential to evaluate the impact these technologies have on your work methods and results. This process will give you a better understanding of the benefits and limitations of GenAI and help you think critically about how you use it in your academic career. When you evaluate your use of GenAI tools, you learn to use them more wisely and strategically1.

Answer the questions below to take a closer look at your experience. Take the time to reflect on each statement and think about your interactions with the tool and the impact this had on your work.

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Challenging situations

  • I had some tough moments or problems using GenAI for my assignments. To get through them, I…
  • I had to take into account some ethical or confidentiality concerns when using GenAI, such as...
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Discoveries

  • Using GenAI, I found some things out about how I learn or solve problems, such as...
  • GenAI helped me explore new approaches, techniques, or perspectives that are useful in my area of study, such as…
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A new point of view

  • Using GenAI changed how I see or understand certain topics, such as...
  • I had to question or adjust some of my ideas or beliefs after my experience using GenAI, because…
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Stimulated creativity

  • Working with GenAI helped me explore new creative directions in my work, such as...
  • In the end, I preferred to develop my own ideas instead of leaning on GenAI, because...
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Skill development

  • The skills I've had to mobilize or improve by using GenAI are…
  • I think GenAI helped me improve in certain subjects, such as...
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Time management

  • I saved time using GenAI for certain tasks, such as...
  • Sometimes, using GenAI made me waste time or complicated some of my work processes, such as when...
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Navigating GenAI

  • I was able to use the IAG as a support tool, overcoming the obstacles it sometimes created, for example when...
  • There were moments when I made the most of GenAI, like when…
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Future perspectives

  • I plan to use GenAI in the future in my studies or career, in particular to...
  • My main concerns or reservations about using GenAI after this experience are. . .

Questions?

Contact the GenAI work group:

iag@hec.ca