An amazing amount of our hours each day are spent emailing and writing letters. Because GenAI is, at its heart, a genre and writing machine, it can actually do a pretty good job with these routine tasks. It knows how to write letters of rec because it's been trained on hundreds of thousands of them. And because writing a letter of rec doesn't require advanced analysis or reasoning, the output doesn't take much work. 

Letters of recommendation

Letters and emails to colleagues 

Generative AI offers transformative possibilities for law school curriculum development and assessment. This guide demonstrates how legal writing professors can use AI tools to enhance program design while maintaining pedagogical integrity and meeting accreditation standards. The approaches outlined here aim to streamline administrative tasks while deepening our ability to assess and improve student learning outcomes.

Curricular Mapping & Design

Learning Outcome Generation

Use AI to draft and refine program-level learning outcomes aligned with ABA standards. AI can analyze your existing outcomes, suggest improvements, and ensure comprehensive coverage of required competencies. For example, ask AI to:

• Review current learning outcomes for clarity and measurability

• Suggest outcome language that better aligns with ABA standards

• Generate scaffolded sub-outcomes that build toward major competencies

Skills Progression Mapping

Create detailed matrices showing skill development across required courses. AI can help:

• Track how specific skills (like legal analysis or citation) develop across semesters

• Identify optimal points for introducing new concepts

• Suggest natural progression paths for complex skills

• Map prerequisites and skill-building sequences

Course Alignment Analysis

Use AI to identify gaps and redundancies in curriculum coverage:

• Compare course objectives across the program

• Highlight areas where skills may be under- or over-emphasized

• Suggest rebalancing of content across courses

• Ensure systematic coverage of key competencies

Assessment Design

Rubric Development

Generate detailed rubrics that align with learning outcomes. AI can:

• Draft rubric criteria based on course objectives

• Suggest performance level descriptions

• Create rubric language that clearly communicates expectations

• Align rubric elements with program-level outcomes

Performance Indicators

Develop specific, measurable indicators for each competency level:

• Create clear descriptors for beginning, developing, and mastery levels

• Generate examples of work product at each level

• Design checkpoint assessments to track progress

• Map indicators to specific assignments

Assessment Variety

Generate diverse assessment types targeting different skills:

• Design formative and summative assessments

• Create authentic assessment scenarios

• Develop self-assessment tools

• Generate peer review protocols

Program Evaluation

Data Analysis

Use AI to process assessment data and identify trends:

• Analyze student performance patterns

• Track progression across courses

• Identify common stumbling points

• Generate visualization of learning gains

Comparative Analysis

Compare program outcomes against benchmarks:

• Analyze performance against past years

• Compare outcomes across course sections

• Track effectiveness of interventions

• Generate progress reports for stakeholders

Report Generation

Create detailed program evaluation reports for accreditation:

• Compile assessment data

• Generate narrative analysis

• Create visual representations of outcomes

• Document continuous improvement efforts

Strategic Implementation

Phase 1: Analysis (3-4 months)

Start with a comprehensive review:

• Map current curriculum against desired outcomes

• Survey faculty about current practices

• Identify assessment gaps

• Generate preliminary recommendations

• Create timeline for changes

Phase 2: Design (4-6 months)

Develop new materials and processes:

• Create aligned assessments

• Develop detailed rubrics

• Plan implementation timeline

• Design faculty training

• Create documentation

Phase 3: Implementation (Ongoing)

Roll out changes systematically:

• Deploy new assessments

• Collect implementation data

• Provide faculty support

• Adjust based on feedback

• Monitor effectiveness

Practical Applications

Sample AI Prompts for Curriculum Design

1. Learning Outcome Analysis:

Analyze these current learning outcomes [paste outcomes] for alignment with ABA Standard 303. Suggest revisions for clarity and measurability.

2. Skills Progression:

Create a matrix showing how [specific skill] should develop across these courses [paste course list]. Include key benchmarks and assessment points.

3. Assignment Design:

Generate an assessment that measures these learning outcomes [paste outcomes] in the context of [specific legal writing task].

Example Uses in Program Assessment

1. Rubric Generation:

Create a detailed rubric for assessing [specific skill] at the [1L/2L/3L] level, including specific examples of performance at each level.

2. Progress Tracking:

Design a system for tracking student progress on [specific outcome] across multiple assignments, including data collection points and analysis methods.

One way that many people are using GenAI is to create meeting minutes from Zoom/Team meetings. I've found that the notes are fairly good (at least better that my notes when I take them) but not perfect. 

Meeting Management step-by-step

Here are some ways that GAI can help you plan meetings:

I. Pre-Meeting Planning

A. Scheduling

1. Availability polling

a. Drafting availability survey emails

b. Suggesting optimal meeting times based on responses

2. Calendar integration suggestions

B. Agenda creation

1. Soliciting agenda items

2. Prioritizing and organizing topics

3. Time allocation suggestions

C. Participant preparation

1. Generating pre-meeting reading lists

2. Drafting background information summaries

II. Meeting Setup

A. Location selection

1. Analyzing pros/cons of virtual vs. in-person

2. Suggesting appropriate virtual platforms

B. Resource planning

1. Identifying necessary materials or technology

2. Creating equipment checklists

III. During the Meeting

A. Agenda management

1. Generating talking points for each item

2. Suggesting time-keeping prompts

B. Participation strategies

1. Proposing icebreakers or team-building exercises

2. Generating discussion questions

IV. Post-Meeting Tasks

A. Minutes and summaries

1. Drafting meeting minutes from notes

2. Creating executive summaries

B. Action item tracking

1. Extracting and organizing action items

2. Generating follow-up task lists

C. Feedback collection

1. Creating post-meeting surveys

2. Analyzing feedback for improvements

V. Long-term Meeting Strategy

A. Meeting effectiveness analysis

1. Suggesting metrics for meeting productivity

2. Analyzing patterns in meeting outcomes

B. Continuous improvement

1. Proposing adjustments to meeting structures

2. Suggesting training topics for better meetings

Using Generative AI for Personal Planning

Generative AI isn’t just for coding, law, or schoolwork—it can also simplify your everyday life. Whether you're preparing for a big race, planning a trip, or trying to eat healthier, AI can help you get organized, generate ideas, and stay on track.

Below are some examples of how you can use generative AI tools to help plan and manage personal projects.

Training for a Marathon or Fitness Goal

Whether you’re training for your first 5K or a full marathon, or just trying to get into better shape, AI can help you develop a personalized training plan. It can take into account your current fitness level, available days to train, and race date. It can also be helpful planning your leg or shoulder days. 

Sample Prompt:  “Create a 12-week marathon training schedule for a beginner who can run 3 miles comfortably, wants to train 5 days a week, and is running a race on October 15.”

Packing and Preparing for a Vacation

Generative AI can create customized packing lists based on your destination, the season, activities planned, and how long you’ll be away. It can also help organize pre-travel checklists and even itinerary suggestions.

Sample Prompt: “I’m going to Italy for 10 days in July, visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice. We’ll be walking a lot and dining out. Please create a packing list and travel checklist.”

Meal Planning and Grocery Lists

AI can generate weekly meal plans based on dietary needs, preferred ingredients, time constraints, or even what’s already in your fridge. It can also give you a grocery list and help reduce food waste.

Sample Prompt: “Make a 5-day meal plan for two people that’s gluten-free, includes dinner only, uses chicken, broccoli, and rice, and requires less than 30 minutes of prep time each night.”

Planning Study or Work Projects

AI can help break large goals into manageable steps. It can create project timelines, study schedules, or productivity systems tailored to your available time and deadlines.

Sample Prompt: “Help me create a study plan for the bar exam. I have 8 weeks, and I’m working part-time. I want to focus on MBE subjects and have Sundays off.”

Planning Special Events or Gifts

Need to plan a surprise party, anniversary date, or thoughtful gift? AI can offer ideas based on the person’s preferences, budget, and your time constraints.

Sample Prompt: “My partner and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary in Louisville. We like museums, Marvel movies, and pizza. Help me plan a fun day.”

Organizing Household Projects

Whether you're moving, renovating, or spring cleaning, AI can generate task lists, timelines, and even help prioritize based on budget or time.

Sample Prompt: “We’re moving into a new house at the end of the month and still need to paint, buy furniture, and pack. Create a 3-week moving checklist for a couple working full-time.”

Tips for Getting Better Results

Be specific: Include timelines, constraints, and personal preferences in your prompt.

Be iterative: You can follow up with clarifying questions to refine the plan.

Be realistic: AI can’t predict the future, but it can help you plan for it.