Kam De Leon
Instructional Designer,
Southern Methodist University
Engagement Instead of Replacement: Building Chatbots for Critical Thinking in the Classroom
Thursday, October 01, 2026 | 3:15PM–4:15PM MT
Session Type:
Poster Session
Delivery Format:
Poster Session
Artificial intelligence presents a growing challenge in higher education: How do we keep students actively engaged and thinking critically when answers are easier than ever to generate? Rather than avoiding AI, this workshop explores how structured chatbot use can support responsible engagement and deeper learning. Participants will examine practical chatbot applications, including study partners, scenario-based activities, AI-guided Socratic seminars, and practice assignments. These examples illustrate how chatbots can function as a sounding board for student thinking—prompting analysis, reflection, and iteration, rather than serving as a shortcut to completed work. Attendees will learn strategies for designing chatbot-integrated assignments, assessing student learning in online and hybrid environments, and building course-aligned chatbots that encourage inquiry and critical thinking. Participants will leave with a sample assignment, implementation strategies, and a clear framework for using AI to enhance—rather than replace—student thinking.
