BUS 4620, AI Primer
Timeline: 3 months
Model: Understanding by Design
Responsibilities: Instructional Design and Development
Tools: Canvas
BUS 4620, AI Primer is an asynchronous course for graduate students in the School of Business at Notre Dame de Namur University. I collaborated with a Subject Matter Expert in AI and developed eight modules with interactive pages each that combine text and media. Student-to-student and student-to-instructor interaction is fostered through discussion boards and collaborative activities that the students need to submit weekly.
THE CHALLENGE
In Spring 2025, I collaborated with a Subject Matter Expert from the School of Business and Management to develop a new course. The major task was to convert static PDF slides into Canvas pages. To ensure student success, I proposed and implemented a new instructional strategy. My design focused on scaffolding the learning experience by organizing content into coherent, manageable modules and integrating regular hands-on activities and practice opportunities to reinforce key concepts.
ANALYSIS
INSTRUCTIONAL ANALYSIS
This course was strategically designed to transition students from foundational concepts to practical, real-world applications. Upon completing this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of Artificial Intelligence, from its foundational concepts to its strategic business applications. Learners will be able to explain core AI principles, differentiate between key technologies like Machine Learning, NLP, and Computer Vision, and analyze their use cases across industries such as finance and healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, providing hands-on experience with AI tools and exploring how AI enhances business operations. Furthermore, students critically evaluate the significant ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI. The course culminates in a final project where learners apply their knowledge to a real-world business problem, demonstrating their ability to analyze and communicate AI-driven solutions effectively.
DESIGN
After the development of the terminal and subordinate objectives of the module, we developed the formative and summative assessments. The curriculum is anchored by a final project where students must analyze an AI application and report on its business implications. To ensure success, this project is scaffolded with weekly deliverables that progressively build the necessary research and analysis skills.
DEVELOPMENT
To develop the course, I used Canvas and Camtasia. Different strategies to catch students' attention, stimulate their recall of prior learning, present the content in an engaging way, and apply the knowledge through hands-on activities were implemented. Students are provided with a summary of the weekly content through a short video, and the content is presented through interactive pages that include examples, scenarios, and static and interactive visuals that demonstrate the relationship between the concepts. Knowledge checks, reflective questions, activities, and weekly discussion boards are also present to provide scaffolding.
IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
The course is implemented in Canvas, the institution's Learning Management System. It provides students with a new and dynamic learning experience that does not resemble any past course. For that reason, I collaborated with the Academic Success Center team to support students in navigating and embracing the new Canvas module format and engaging with the content in meaningful ways.