Instructor Profile: Kenneth Yip
How U of T instructors are incorporating generative AI into their teaching
Kenneth Yip
Assistant Professor, Cell and Systems Biology, UTSG
Course Details
Title and Code: BIO130H1: Molecular and Cell Biology; and BIO230H1: From Genes to Organisms
Session: BIO130H1: Winter LEC5101; BIO230H1: Fall LEC0101, Fall LEC5101
Number of Students: BIO130H1: 1,744 (400 my section); BIO230H1: 1,390
Modality: In-person
Kenneth Yip’s teaching philosophy centers on creating a synergistic cycle between classroom and experiential learning, continuously reinforcing and expanding student knowledge. Recently, Professor Yip has been developing and incorporating course-tailored generative AI tools to enhance this learning cycle.
Q: How have you integrated generative AI tools into large-course teaching contexts?
For our large undergraduate cellular and molecular biology courses, we developed course-specific generative AI chat tools trained on previous years’ lecture transcripts and materials. The unique training data enables our tools to answer student questions from course material and to create formative assessments directly from (and related to) course content. These tools are used as optional student resources. Students can use the chat tools anonymously and ask questions freely.
Q: How has the generative AI interventions been received?
As a preliminary test, we debuted our chat tools in the Summer of 2023 (enrollment is much lower in the Summer Term). Initial student engagement was remarkable. The 133 students in BIO130 asked their chat tool >2,800 questions, while the 176 BIO230 students asked their chat tool >4,700 questions. Anonymous student survey feedback was also positive; of respondents, approximately 92% of students used the chat tools, 81% said it decreased anxiety, and 96.5% supported increased investment.
Since then, we have enabled our chat tools for the regular school year. As of now (November 2024), approximately 4807 students have asked the chat tools over 62,095 questions. The day before a midterm exam, we had >2600 questions, with >400 questions in an hour. I think the usage data speaks for itself, particularly considering that the tools are totally optional for our courses. Students appreciate the ability to ask questions 24/7 and ask question after question.
Other professors have also been keen on adapting our tools. We’ve helped several other courses (including BIO270, BIO271, CSB346) and are working with several additional collaborators.
Explore our U of T Learning Activity Examples to see further details on how Kenneth Yip has integrated AI chat tools into large courses.