Amanda Sturgill

Amanda Sturgill, associate professor of journalism, is the 2024-2026 CEL Scholar. Her work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and engaged learning in higher education. Dr. Sturgill also previously contributed posts on global learning as a seminar leader for the 2015-2017 research seminar on Integrating Global Learning with the University Experience.

Black and white robot sits behind teacher's desk in front of a classroom with chalkboard behind it. Robot has a slight frown. Elon logo in top left corner.

AI and Anxiety: Perspectives from Higher Education  

In higher education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers real benefits like time savings and a tireless thought partner. But it can also mean significant anxiety for students and their instructors alike.   What Makes People More Likely to Accept AI?  Research indicates that…

White text overlaid on an opaque teal box reads "My own trials with AI tools have made me think of it like a person who has trouble saying 'I don't know.'" The background images create a brick pattern of AI-generated illustrations of web browsers, internet symbols, and students studying.

AI and the Truthiness of Search

I like to have an engaging activity for my first-years on the first day of class, and this year, I did a sticky note discussion. Students have a series of prompts, write their responses on sticky notes, and we put…

On a tan background, large teal quotation marks frame the text: ""A true expert knows when and how to go beyond the expected. It's an ability that develops over time, as the expert learjs from experimentation and develops an engaging voice. Deceloping as an expert is iterative."" To the right is an AI-genertated illustration of a friendly robot sitting in a carnival booth with an ""Ask the Expert"" banner.

AI and the Increased Value of Expertise

This post was written with ideation assistance from Google Gemini 1.5 Pro, using the following prompt: “Please act as a writing consultant. A client has come in and wants to write a 500-word blog post about the effect that AI…

Cover of Teaching with AI. Center for Engaged Learning Book Review. "One of the most intriguing aspects of the book was the section on creativity.... The authors argue that AI systems can enhance creativity because they aren’t bound by human judgment issues such as anchoring and adjusting that can cause people to stop considering the best ideas.” Amanda Sturgill

Book Review: Teaching with AI

Bowen, José Antonio, and C. Edward Watson. 2024. Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press.  Bowen and Watson’s work has the mixed blessing of being a first attempt to…

Line art (created by Dall-E) of a professor speaking into a podcast microphone. Text reads, "Podcasts on AI & Higher Education."

Podcast Episodes with Interesting Ideas about AI and Education

One of my favorite ways to double time on professional development is to listen to podcasts while I commute to work. There are quite a few podcasts in the education space at all levels, from kindergarten through graduate school. I’ve…