Intended Audience
This course, "Exploring Artificial General Intelligence: Its Potential, Pitfalls, and Ethical Implications" is primarily designed for undergraduate university students with an interest in computer science, artificial intelligence, or related fields. The target audience would typically be in the age range of 18-24, though the course can certainly accommodate older learners seeking continuing education or career transition.
These learners likely have some foundational knowledge of computer science or programming, and an understanding of basic AI concepts. They exhibit a strong curiosity about AI and AGI, their possibilities, and their implications. They are likely to be digitally adept and comfortable with using various online learning platforms and resources.
Our learners may come from a variety of socio-economic, cultural, and geographical backgrounds. As such, the course will strive to present content in an inclusive and globally relevant manner, avoiding jargon, colloquialism, or cultural references that may not be universally understood.
Some of our learners may have specific learning needs or accommodations. Learners with visual or auditory impairments may require assistive technologies, and all course content will be designed to be accessible, without the need for audio access, personal accounts, nor any purchases. For those with ADHD or similar challenges, modular course design and clear, concise content will help in managing attention and comprehension. The structure ensures the leaner can complete the core content in any order. In each lab and assignment there will be distinctly alternative versions available.
The course could also be relevant to English language learners. Thus, it is critical to present information clearly and concisely, and to provide resources for further clarification of complex concepts.
Finally, we recognize that many learners may be juggling additional responsibilities alongside their coursework, such as part-time jobs, full-time jobs, or childcare. As such, the course will be designed with flexibility in mind, allowing learners to access materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments on their own schedule.
Inclusivity Measures
Our course, "Exploring Artificial General Intelligence: Its Potential, Pitfalls, and Ethical Implications," is designed with a commitment to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring the inclusion of a diverse array of learners.
Multiple Means of Representation: To cater to learners with different preferences in information acquisition, we will provide content in various formats - text, audio, video, and interactive demos. Tools such as OpenAI's GPT-4, Google Bard, DALL-E, Speechify, and GitHub Copilot will offer hands-on experience and enhance understanding.
Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Learners have the opportunity to showcase their understanding through diverse means. Assessments will include quizzes, reflective writing, and interactive labs. For each graded component, an alternative version will be available to cater to diverse learning preferences and needs, ensuring adherence to UDL principles. This variety in assessments will not only allow students to approach the material in a manner that suits their learning style, but also provide an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding beyond traditional methods.
Multiple Means of Engagement: To motivate and sustain learner interest, we incorporate elements of choice and autonomy in our course. Learners can decide the sequence of topics within each module, select project topics related to their interests, and choose which supplementary resources to explore based on their learning needs. In all assignments and labs, learners can choose alternative format of their submissions, offering a chance to express their understanding and creativity in a way that they are comfortable with.
We are also sensitive to learners with specific needs and will strive to accommodate them:
For learners with visual impairments we ensure that all text is compatible with screen readers, we host on a site that is friendly to all devices and scaling's. All interactive elements will be scalable, translatable, and visually easy to read.
For learners with hearing impairments, there will be alternative paths of assignments and labs where audio access is not necessary.
For learners with dyslexia, this course uses the 'Lexend' font in all the content pages, Lexend is designed with dyslexia and struggling readers in mind. We chose on the bolder side of the font family with larger than average font sizing as well as incorporating bolding, italicizing, and underlining to break up large text content, numerically list content where it makes sense, and use clear paragraph seperation to break up content.
For English language learners, we provide a glossary of key terms, and our AI tools can help translate content into different languages upon request. We also host on a website that is easily accessible to webpage translators.
For learners who are full-time workers or single parents, our course is fully asynchronous. They can learn at their own pace, at a time convenient for them.
By integrating the UDL principles, we hope to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment where every learner can flourish.