AI Ate My Homework

University of Louisville, Digital Media Suite

What does it look like for AI to do the homework in your class? In the "AI Ate My Homework" podcast, host Jason Zahrndt and faculty guests examine the results when AI completes actual assignments from the University of Louisville, revealing both surprising capabilities and telling limitations. Through these candid conversations, we uncover practical insights about teaching in the age of AI, explore how assessment needs to evolve, and investigate the balance between technological efficiency and authentic learning. AI Ate My Homework © 2025 by Jason Zahrndt is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Episodes

  1. AUG 22

    The Case of the Missing Detective: When AI Skips to the End

    Dr. Andrea Olinger, Director of Composition, and instructor Cecilia Durbin walk us through a multi-part "detective story" research assignment sequence. These assignments, designed to slow students down and think critically, emphasize process over product. Listen as we discuss how the AI tool mimics student voice, (sometimes) cites real world sources, and even exceeds some of the expectations for these assignments. What is lost when students use an AI tool to skip past the messy process of thinking, writing, and learning?

    16 min

  2. APR 24

    Future Teachers: AI and Music Education

    Dr. Jason Cumberledge, professor of Performance Studies, describes how GenAI tools can complete major writing assignments, even anecdotal, personal stories, in a marching band methods course. Listen as we discuss how creative disciplines are adapting to the advent of AI and consider what the work of music educators may be as these tools become more ubiquitous.

    16 min

  3. APR 1

    The Vanilla Cupcake Problem: Personal Branding and AI in Education with Dr. Karen Freberg

    In our third episode of "AI Ate My Homework," strategic communications professor Dr. Karen Freberg shares valuable insights on AI's role in education through her personal branding assignment. Using a memorable "vanilla cupcake" metaphor, she explains how AI creates technically competent but ultimately soulless content lacking the authentic reflection that makes student work meaningful. Listen as we discuss how to leverage AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity—teaching students to use AI-generated images to visualize their personal brand while critically reflecting on its accuracy. As industry increasingly expects AI literacy, Dr. Freberg advocates for teaching prompt engineering as a crucial skill and encourages faculty to experiment alongside students rather than fear these new technologies.

    23 min

  4. APR 1

    Taking the Pulse: AI in the Health and Sport Sciences Classroom

    In our second episode of "AI Ate My Homework," exercise physiology professor Dr. Jason Jaggers evaluates an AI-completed cardiovascular case study assignment. The analysis reveals fascinating insights about AI's capabilities and limitations in health sciences education. While the AI correctly calculated the patient's risk factors and measurements, it showed distinct "tells" that distinguished it from genuine student work—following an unusual question format, showing calculations when students typically don't, and adding unrequested recommendations. Dr. Jaggers notes that AI excelled at technical aspects but lacked contextual knowledge specific to his classroom teaching. The discussion explores potential assignment redesigns that could leverage AI as a complementary tool rather than an obstacle, including having students critically evaluate AI-generated responses. As we navigate the rapidly evolving educational landscape, Dr. Jaggers encourages a balanced approach emphasizing the importance of teaching students to use these tools ethically and effectively in their future careers.

    17 min

  5. MAR 27

    Dribble with Purpose: Leadership Evolution and AI with Dr. Jay Byland

    In our inaugural episode of "AI Ate My Homework," Dr. Jay Byland from Sport Administration reflects on how AI transforms classroom dynamics through a deceptively simple leadership meme assignment. The discussion reveals how AI can produce technically correct responses while missing crucial course-specific content—demonstrating both the tool's capabilities and limitations. Dr. Byland shares a refreshing perspective on AI as an inevitable classroom presence that requires adaptation rather than resistance, comparing it to teaching digital natives to use technology responsibly. The conversation explores how assignments can be designed to leverage AI as a creative tool while still ensuring authentic learning, using the metaphor of basketball to explain that students need to "dribble with purpose" rather than simply going through motions. This episode offers practical insights for educators navigating the evolving relationship between traditional teaching approaches and emerging AI technologies.

    15 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

What does it look like for AI to do the homework in your class? In the "AI Ate My Homework" podcast, host Jason Zahrndt and faculty guests examine the results when AI completes actual assignments from the University of Louisville, revealing both surprising capabilities and telling limitations. Through these candid conversations, we uncover practical insights about teaching in the age of AI, explore how assessment needs to evolve, and investigate the balance between technological efficiency and authentic learning. AI Ate My Homework © 2025 by Jason Zahrndt is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Information

  • Creator
    University of Louisville, Digital Media Suite
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © University of Louisville, Digital Media Suite
  • Show Website
    AI Ate My Homework