Flipping the Script: Empowering Students through AI-Driven Peer Teaching
Facilitating peer-to-peer teaching is a gold standard for student engagement but scaling it—while navigating the complexities of AI—can feel like an uphill battle. What if, instead of using AI to find answers, your students used it to teach? Join us on April 16, 2026, for an interactive workshop exploring Chrysalis, a Large Language Model (LLM) developed right here at the University of Waterloo. Unlike traditional AI tutors, Chrysalis "flips the script": it acts as a less-knowledgeable virtual student, requiring the human student to explain concepts clearly to help the AI "learn."
Why Attend?
In this session, co-facilitators Pascal Poupart and Prashanth Arun will guide you through the theory of "learning by teaching" and demonstrate how Chrysalis provides an instructor-supervised environment where students take the driver's seat. You’ll get hands-on experience with the tool and collaborate with colleagues on how to integrate this model into your own curriculum.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Articulate the benefits and limitations of tutoring in the learning process.
- Explore how Chrysalis applies theories of peer tutoring to deepen student knowledge.
- Test Chrysalis from a student’s perspective and structure an assignment to assess mastery.
- Discuss practical strategies for employing Chrysalis in the University classroom.
Event Details
- Date: April 16, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: DP Library, EdTech Sandbox (LIB 329)
- Requirement: Please bring a laptop to participate in the live demo and practice assignment.
- Registration is required. Please register today.