We’ve launched a semi-regular feature to keep you informed about how artificial intelligence (AI)—especially generative AI (GenAI)—is shaping teaching and learning at Carleton and beyond. We started with our four-pronged approach to developing an AI strategy for your course. To compliment this advice, we’re unpacking four interconnected elements of sustainable teaching practices:
- Relationship-rich environments
- Scaffolded experiences
- Productive failure
- Intrinsic motivation
In April, we unpacked the foundational layer, relationship-rich environments. Next, we turn our attention to scaffolded experiences.
Scaffolded learning intentionally sequences activities and assessments to develop understanding and skills over time. By making complex tasks more manageable, this approach helps students stay engaged, build confidence, and develop self‑regulation and agency as they gain experience, reflect on their work and take on new challenges.
ePortfolios can play a powerful role in supporting scaffolded learning experiences by documenting the learning process from start to finish. They provide a space to collect drafts, feedback, reflections and revisions in one place, making learning visible to both students and instructors. This visibility helps students recognize patterns in their learning, make connections across assignments or coursework, and articulate how their understanding develops, while giving instructors insight into learning processes and student progress. Together, scaffolded learning experiences and ePortfolios reinforce learning as an ongoing process shaped by iteration, reflection and meaningful engagement.
To support these practices, we are piloting a new ePortfolio tool, PebblePad, designed to make it easier to integrate scaffolded experiences and reflection into courses. If you are interested in learning more about the pilot, please contact us through the TLS Support Portal.
Have something to share or a question about AI in your course? We want to hear from you! Reach out to us with your ideas, challenges or success stories.