by Yulia Levchenko
We’ve all been there. Overwhelmed by a project, unsure where to begin, or how long it will take. In these scenarios, AI can give us and our students a helping hand – not by doing the work, but by helping us make a plan of action and ensure we allow enough time for our best work.
If you are not assessing students’ ability to create a workflow, consider allowing them to use AI to help students build this crucial skill. AI can reveal the many steps that students might not consider, as well as estimate the amount of time each step should be allotted. Students may do a better job of creating time to work on their assignments as a consequence.
An illustrative example of this use of AI is the development of workflows for assignments, where AI aids in structuring and managing tasks rather than directly contributing to the completion of assignments.
AI Prompt:
Help me create a workflow for writing a paper for Introduction to literature course. Here are the requirements for the project: write a 1250 – 1500 words literary essay with these purposes in mind: To interpret one or more poems. The goal is to explain a work’s (or several works’) possible meanings. Include the time that I will need to complete each step.
Workflow generated:
Certainly! Here’s a detailed workflow for writing your literary essay, including estimated time for each step. You can adjust the time based on your individual pace and deadlines.
1. Understand the Assignment (30 minutes)
- Read the Prompt Thoroughly (15 minutes): Ensure you understand what is being asked, including the word count and any formatting requirements.
- Clarify Requirements (15 minutes): Check if there are any specific guidelines or citation styles you need to follow.
2. Select and Analyze the Poems (2-3 hours)
- Choose Poems (30 minutes): Select one or more poems to analyze. Choose works that intrigue you and have rich themes.
- Read and Annotate the Poems (1.5-2 hours): Read the poems multiple times. Annotate the text, noting literary devices, themes, and your initial reactions.
3. Conduct Preliminary Research (1-2 hours)
- Background Information (30 minutes): Research the poet’s background and the historical or cultural context of the poems.
- Critical Perspectives (30-90 minutes): Look for academic articles or critical essays about the poems or poet. This will help in forming a more nuanced interpretation.
4. Develop a Thesis Statement (1 hour)
- Formulate Your Thesis (30 minutes): Decide on the main argument or interpretation of the poems.
- Refine Your Thesis (30 minutes): Make sure your thesis is clear, specific, and debatable.
5. Create an Outline (1 hour)
- Introduction (15 minutes): Plan how to introduce the poem(s) and present your thesis.
- Body Paragraphs (30 minutes): Outline the main points of analysis, including evidence from the poem(s) and how it supports your thesis.
- Conclusion (15 minutes): Outline how to summarize your findings and restate the significance of your interpretation.
6. Write the First Draft (2-3 hours)
- Follow Your Outline (1.5-2 hours): Write your essay based on the outline, focusing on clear argumentation and integration of textual evidence.
- Integrate Evidence (30-60 minutes): Ensure quotes and examples from the poems are smoothly integrated into your analysis.
7. Revise and Edit (2-3 hours)
- Review Content and Refine Language (1-1.5 hours): Check if your argument is clear and well-supported. Improve clarity and flow.
- Check Structure (30 minutes): Ensure your essay has a logical structure and smooth transitions between paragraphs.
- Proofreading (30 minutes): Check for grammatical errors, punctuation, and formatting issues.
8. Proofread (1 hour)
- Grammar and Syntax (30 minutes): Look for grammatical errors and awkward phrasing.
- Formatting and Citation (30 minutes): Ensure your essay adheres to any formatting guidelines and citation style required.
9. Seek Feedback (1-2 days)
- Peer Review (1-2 days): If possible, have a classmate, friend, or tutor review your essay.
- Incorporate Feedback (1 hour): Make revisions based on the feedback you receive.
10. Finalize Your Essay (1 hour)
- Incorporate Feedback and Prepare for Submission (1 hour): Make final adjustments and ensure your essay is ready for submission.
Total Estimated Time: 11-15 hours
Sample Timeline (for a Week-Long Project)
- Day 1: Understand the Assignment, Select and Analyze the Poems
- Day 2: Conduct Preliminary Research
- Day 3: Develop a Thesis Statement, Create an Outline
- Day 4: Write the First Draft
- Day 5: Revise and Edit
- Day 6: Proofread, Seek Feedback
- Day 7: Finalize Your Essay
This timeline can help students stay organized and ensure they have adequate time for each phase of the project. It can be modified according to individual students’ pace and specific deadlines. Beyond its application in a course, AI can be asked to produce a workflow for any project you might have, from redesigning a house to planning a workshop. What major project might you start and more effectively complete with the aid of AI-generated planning?