17 June, 2024

Rebecca Robinson was invited by Catherine Murphy, Senior Lecturer & BIS Work Placement Manager and member of the Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU) team in MTU, to conduct activities for 11 work placement coordinators from various departments within MTU.

The main objective and theme of the activities were based on Russell Group principles on the use of AI in education namely - 

1. Universities will support students and staff to become AI-literate.
2. Staff should be equipped to support students to use generative AI tools effectively and appropriately in their learning experience.
3. Universities will adapt teaching and assessment to incorporate the ethical use of generative AI and support equal access.
4. Universities will ensure academic rigour and integrity is upheld.
5. Universities will work collaboratively.

The purpose of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) activities was to introduce coordinators to each other and to start a discussion around the impact and challenges that artificial intelligence (AI) poses, or could potentially pose, for students and placement coordinators.

Participants reflected on what posed the greatest hurdles. However, there were also strong positive reflections on the potential and opportunity in AI for work placement. After everyone shared their initial insights on impacts and challenges, where many similar themes emerged, participants were then asked to consider some possible solutions to these challenges working through LSP.

The feedback from the session not only built cohesion towards a shared understanding, experience and potential vision on the impact of AI on work placement, but also acted as an idea’s generation session for considerations in this space for changes to placement and assessment going forward.

It's SERIOUS play!

Rebecca Robinson

Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator

Hincks Centre Researcher

Further information on the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method of facilitation is available here.

If you would like to discuss LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® further and how it can be of benefit to you, your team or students/class, please contact Rebecca.Robinson@mtu.ie.