Case study: creating an 'AI for Academic Writing Skills' induction session for postgraduate life science courses

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Academic Writing Skills

Background:

• Student adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in universities is widespread but controversial.
• There is a critical need for structured guidance on the effective, responsible, and ethical use of GenAI in academic settings.
• Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students in Medical Sciences require specific training to navigate GenAI tools for academic writing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a pilot induction session on "AI for Academic Writing Skills" for PGT Medical Sciences students.
• To provide practical, ethical training on GenAI use in academic writing.
• To assess the impact of the induction session on student confidence and uncertainty regarding GenAI.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative effort involving MSc programme directors, learning technologists, and AI competency experts.
• Integration of ChatGPT4 via API into the Canvas virtual learning environment for equitable access.
• Pre-training student surveys to gauge current GenAI engagement and confidence levels.
• Development of a structured induction session based on survey findings and expert collaboration.

Main Results:

• 100% of survey respondents rated the training positively.
• 86% found the academic writing lecture beneficial, and 100% found the general GenAI skills lecture helpful.
• 70% reported significantly reduced uncertainty about using GenAI in their academic work, with 82% appreciating chatbot interaction in group work.

Conclusions:

• The developed induction session effectively enhances student confidence and reduces uncertainty regarding ethical GenAI use in academic writing.
• The evidence-based, scalable approach provides a model for institutions to address the challenges of GenAI in higher education.
• Continuous refinement of the programme is planned for future academic years based on pilot study reflections and outcomes.