New AI Teaching Assistant Enhances Online Classroom Experience at Purdue Global

New AI Teaching Assistant Introduced in Purdue Global Online Classroom

In a groundbreaking move, Purdue Global professor Melissa Bahle has welcomed a new teaching assistant to her composition classes this spring. The assistant, named Purdue Global Learning Assistant (PGLA), is a conversational AI tool designed to help students navigate and understand course resources and policies while Bahle leads online classes.

The PGLA had a soft launch on Jan. 31, with nearly 700 students across four sections of undergraduate and graduate courses piloting the new software. Bahle, a professor in Purdue Global’s Department of English and Rhetoric, has already noticed a decrease in course navigation questions since the introduction of PGLA.

Timothy Werth, Purdue Global’s chief information officer and vice president of Administrative Services, emphasized the importance of providing self-directed and immediate resources for students in the classroom, which is exactly what PGLA aims to do. The concept for PGLA stemmed from Purdue Global’s strategic initiatives to improve student success and enhance the online learning experience.

Faculty members like Robert Winters, a professor in Purdue Global’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, have already seen the benefits of PGLA. Winters noted that the tool allows students to get answers to their questions 24/7, reducing the time spent on email communications and seminars.

Continuous feedback from faculty and students will be crucial for the further development and enhancement of the AI application. Focus groups and surveys will be utilized to gather insights and improve the tool’s functionality.

Overall, the introduction of PGLA represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to enhance the online learning experience for students at Purdue Global. With the potential for continuous improvement and expansion, PGLA is poised to become a valuable resource for students and faculty alike in the pursuit of academic success.