Designing assignments for the GenAI era cannot be done in isolation. To tackle this challenge, Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS), the Center for Educational Innovation (CEI), and Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) recently hosted a full-day, in-person Assignment (re)Design Lab. The event brought together 24 attendees from three UMN campuses, sparking lively, cross-disciplinary strategy sessions among instructors, student guests, and table facilitators.
The lab provided instructors with the structured time needed to design new assignments or overhaul existing ones with GenAI in mind. Since teaching goals vary, the workshop supported a full spectrum of approaches, from intentionally integrating GenAI into coursework to limiting its use to safeguard foundational learning.
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What Made the Lab Value-Driven?
Post-event feedback highlighted exactly what made the experience so impactful for faculty:
- Dedicated Time & Collaboration: Instructors rarely get an uninterrupted day to focus on a single project. Rather than working in a silo, attendees traded ideas on content, methodology, and grading philosophies with peers from across the university system.
- Multifaceted Support: With a facilitator anchoring each table, participants could dive deep into the redesign process. Student feedback was also a major highlight, offering valuable insights into the student perspective.
- Practical AI "Road Testing": One of the more practical segments involved "road testing" assignments using GenAI. By running their instructions through custom Gemini prompts, instructors received instant feedback on how the AI interprets their prompts, allowing them to refine their expectations before bringing the assignment to class.
Why Attend a Future Offering?
When asked what they would tell a colleague on the fence about attending a future lab, past participants emphasized its high-impact, low-pressure atmosphere.
Instructors noted that collaborating with like-minded experts and colleagues across UMN campuses was both validating and clarifying. While many arrived aiming to refresh just one assignment, most reported leaving with broader, creative strategies for their entire course, along with a concrete, actionable plan to implement them.
Ready to Rethink an Assignment?
If you want to rethink an upcoming assignment or explore GenAI-minded design for your curriculum, contact your local support department, ATSS, CEI, or WAC to schedule an individual consultation.
Author
Kate ThomsonLike what you read? Subscribe to the Extra Points Google Group for an email notification when the next blog post goes live.