SALLY YAO
Project At a Glance
Amidst rapid advancements in GenAI technologies, we have observed diverse applications of GenAI tools and the questions they provoke. This has prompted us to investigate:
How can generative AI help us to create things that matter to us?
Research
We've conducted interviews with 27 students and 7 faculty members at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Toolkit Development
Based on findings, we've build a toolkit that serves as advice and inspiration for engaging with GenAI in student-directed projects.
Fireside Chat
We've held 2 online talks and an in person meeting with Harvard Alumni, faculty, and current students on this topic.
01
TEAM
Research: Sally, Karen, Paulina, Avantika, Jacob
Content Creation: Sally, Avantika, Paulina
Visual Design: Sally
02
TOOLS
Procreate for Visual Design
Google Slides for Toolkit Creation
Google Spreadsheet for Work Tracking
nVivo for Qualitative Research Coding
Design Process
01. Research Interviews
We conducted 34 interviews around the central question: How has generative AI support students as they pursue self-directed projects?
We've extracted and populated over 70 direct quotes that could be turned into an AI application strategy on a spreadsheet.​
02. Prototype Development
Developed as a teaching aid for senior faculty and as inspiration for other adult learners, we decided to put together a collection of 33 AI application strategies based on findings from the research. The toolkit included direct quotes from interviewees and corresponding simulated examples from GenAI tools with free tiers.
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The prototype underwent a series of iterations, informed by user testing and thoughtful consideration of user needs, with examples built around relevant scenarios.
Version 1.0
Version 4.0
Final Version
03. Visual Design
The overall visual theme was designed to align with the general style of the Creative Computing Lab, under whose the work was developed. The visual elements sketched out the project-based learning process, where students begin with questions and navigate through ups and downs as they develop their projects, sparked by inspiration until their projects finally take off. We aimed to highlight how GenAI tools are valuable additions that support students throughout this learning journey.
04. Fireside Chat & Launch
We held two online fireside chats and an in-person conversation involving faculty, students, and alumni to discuss this work. These sessions sparked inspirational conversations around the topic. The toolkit received positive feedback and suggestions for future steps.
Next Steps
Continuous Strategy Development
Develop a dedicated website where new strategies can be continuously populated and shared.
Diverse Field Examples
Expand the examples in the toolkit to include a broader range of fields and interests.
AI Tool Updates
Provide regular updates on the latest AI tools to keep the toolkit current and relevant.