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This project will develop and evaluate a large language model (LLM) companion that students will use to enhance their learning experience. Unlike most AI systems that engage in some form of tutoring or question answering, the idea will be to flip the roles. The LLM agent will act as an ignorant virtual student and the human student will be responsible for teaching concepts to the LLM companion. The human student will effectively learn by explaining concepts to the LLM–a key element of effective learning and probing one’s knowledge gaps. Plus, it could be a lot more interesting and engaging than traditional forms of learning. We will design a special exam to test the concepts learned by the LLM companion, indirectly assessing whether the human student also knows those concepts. In a randomized control trial in the classroom, we will further assess student self-efficacy, conceptual knowledge, and general engagement in the class.

The University of Waterloo is currently undergoing a process to determine the future of D2L’s Brightspace (LEARN) Learning Management System (LMS). The version of LEARN that we use at UW has many pedagogical features that are used frequently by instructors and to great effect. There are, however, additional features available that we have not yet licensed, nor have we investigated their potential efficacy for our institution. Performance+ provides tools and dashboards that unlock insights into course and learner data and effectiveness.

This project will evaluate the efficacy of this tool to determine how it can be used to better support UW students in their learning.

The University of Waterloo is currently developing initiatives to improve LEARN (D2L's Brightspace), our learning management system (LMS), based on feedback received in the LMS Review. The version of LEARN that we use at UW has many pedagogical features that are used frequently by instructors and to great effect. There are, however, additional features available that we have not yet licensed, nor have we investigated their potential efficacy for our institution. Creator+ provides tools that enable the straightforward creation of interactive course content. Performance+ provides tools and dashboards that unlock insights into course and learner data and effectiveness.

This project will evaluate the efficacy of these two tools and determine how they can be used to better support UW students in their learning.