The Project Sichuan International Studies University

Forward

Within this case study, I explore the implementation of Project-Based Learning for secondary language acquisition, presenting effective strategies to counteract students’ dependence on Artificial Intelligence. I had the opportunity to teach six classes at Sichuan International Studies University from August to December 2016. The video attached below, featuring Neil De Grasse Tyson on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, provides a compelling explanation of how these strategies can effectively mitigate students’ reliance on AI.

Introduction

6 classes participated unknowingly in this case study. The beginning of the semester each class began by students introducing themselves and identifying their life goals as a means to identify their current skill level. We progressed through weeks of conversational English, where I would introduce a new concept or point of discussion. Prior to the mid-term, we covered how to send a professional email. Then by mid term, students were asked to complete two projects. The first was to independently watch the movie “The Bucket List“, then compose their own bucket list. Then to watch the video “A Vision of Students Today“ and compose a time budget. While all this was before the advent of AI, the goal was to stop plagiarism or excessive use of the internet. A bucket list and a time budget would be unique to the individual, which effectively would mute AI.

From there I focused classes on how to write a resume in English, which they could use all technology at their disposal. then subsequently to ensure mastery they were interviewed based on their resume in front of the class. Then afterward students as a group designed their Final Review. It is important to note that all the subsequent pages were progressive, written, typed, and the website modified while students looked on. From the Final Review I administer an oral exam (hence the Dr. Tyson video) randomizing questions from the review in a 1v1 setting so students were unable to copy or adapt work from their classmates.

The Reviews