Empowering Learning with AI: Serene Chng’s Journey and Insights

At Noodle Factory, we partner with passionate educators like Serene Chng, a lecturer from Temasek Polytechnic, to explore how AI is transforming teaching and learning. In this article, Serene shares her inspiring journey of integrating AI into her classroom and the profound impact it has had on her students.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Serene from Temasek Polytechnic. I have worked as a lecturer in School of Business for 15 years. The rapid evolution of AI continues to shape the way we approach teaching and learning in traditional classrooms. It is no longer just about delivering knowledge but creating interactive and engaging experiences for students in the new world of Gen AI.

As we explore these AI-driven transformations, one exciting area is the use of AI-powered chatbots that we can integrate into the learning management system. These tools can serve as AI teaching assistants, supporting personalised learning journeys, offering instant feedback, and even creating simulated real-world problem-solving scenarios for students. Chatbots open doors to scalable, round-the-clock learning, bridging gaps in traditional teaching methods.

I am thrilled to share that our team, NoodleChat Navigator, proudly achieved 2nd place in Round 1 of the Work Effectiveness (WE) Challenge 2024. This year’s theme — focused on leveraging AI tools, fostering personalised learning, and promoting collaboration across schools and departments — showcased the transformative power of innovation in education. This accomplishment reflects not just our team's efforts but also the collaboration with NF and TP’s Learning Academy, whose guidance and support made this possible.

The Spark: What Led Me to Start Using AI in Teaching

To equip our students for the future workplace, my subject team has integrated AI and analytics into the core curriculum for our diploma course. However, we recognise that the learning curve for these subjects can be steep for our business students. As digital natives, our students are familiar with digital technologies, but it is still a challenge to engage them effectively in the classroom. This has motivated me to continually explore new EdTech tools to enhance their learning experiences.

One such tool is the NF’s AI-powered chatbot platform, which offers consistency and efficiency in addressing student queries. This is particularly helpful when students work on projects late into the night and require immediate support. Beyond providing answers, the NF chatbot introduces an interactive and gamified learning experience. For instance, it encourages learners to complete diagnostic quizzes and rewards them with badges upon completion, adding an element of fun to mastering complex topics.

Interestingly, the idea of gamification struck me while observing my child use a music app that tracks learning progress. My child has thoroughly enjoyed collecting badges and taking part in practice challenges, which inspired me to integrate similar challenge quests into our NF chatbot for subject learning.

To ensure the NF chatbot is not only functional but also engaging, I have focused on customising its personality to be fun and witty. This approach aims to shift students’ mindsets, making the process of learning AI and analytics to be less intimidating and more approachable. Additionally, I have prioritised curating content on topics students typically find difficult, ensuring the chatbot’s knowledge base aligns with their needs and supports their learning journey effectively.

AI in Action: Transforming My Classroom

Use Cases of AI: Certifications

I began by introducing the NF chatbot during a special guest webinar to explain the value of certain certifications.  The session aimed to highlight how such certifications can enhance students’ skillsets and career prospects. This approach helps students to envision the vast possibilities that come with mastering digital skills and applying them in real-world situations.

With tools like ChatGPT, event planning and hosting have become more dynamic and efficient. So, I thought, why not using the NF chatbot for students to consider Alteryx and make the learning process more fun, even though certification can be challenging for students?

Use Cases of AI: HR Role-play Scenarios

In a short span of time, we successfully introduced an HR role-play scenario to help students understand and apply the CO-STAR framework for crafting effective call-to-actions in their AI prompts using the NF chatbot. This initiative was inspired by real-world job descriptions provided by one of our key partner organizations in the student internship program. The role-play exercise serves as a practical and engaging way for students to bridge theory and practice, allowing them to apply what they learn in their subject modules to real-life situations.

Students’ learning experience with NF chatbots

"With Oscar, we’re on our way to winning an Oscar!"

Our NF chatbot, Oscar, is instrumental in enhancing learning experiences by enabling students to ask questions, recap module content, and gain valuable insights to kickstart their assignments. Its interactive features, such as role-play exercises and challenge quests, allow students to assess their understanding effectively and engage with topics in a dynamic way.

Students appreciate the NF chatbot’s ability to provide accurate and efficient answers, far surpassing traditional chatbots. The inclusion of personalised support, instant feedback, and accessible FAQ buttons ensures that their academic needs are met promptly. Additionally, the NF chatbot serves as a reliable virtual assistant by offering tailored study resources, addressing complex problems, and keeping students organised with reminders, ultimately making learning more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable.

Overall, integrating generative AI into our subject curriculum has been a rewarding experience. It is gratifying to see students embracing technology in meaningful and innovative ways. By incorporating these tools, we are not only enhancing their learning experience but also pushing the boundaries of their abilities. This approach helps students envision the vast possibilities that come with mastering subjects like Alteryx and applying them in real-world contexts.

The Impact: How AI Has Changed My Teaching

The idea of adopting a new EdTech tool can feel overwhelming for educators, especially when we are juggling with multiple responsibilities. However, the integration of AI chatbots into the learning management system has been a game changer, allowing us to address various challenges in our teaching work effectively. Coding is not needed, so I am able to design and build the NF chatbots quickly, enabling us to focus on facilitating classroom learning while ensuring students remain engaged and independent in their educational journey.

As we prepare to offer our subject to a large cohort within the School of Business, this technology gives us the confidence to scale up while keeping the consistency in our teaching approaches. It allows us to support diverse student groups and shift towards authentic assessments that reflect real-world applications, rather than relying solely on traditional testing methods. This not only benefits students but also allows educators to focus on preparing them for the future workplace by helping them apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways.

Moreover, the NF chatbot solution streamlines routine tasks and ensures that our subject team stays accessible to students while showing AI’s potential in action. One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been witnessing students approach the subject with greater confidence and curiosity, transforming a previously challenging topic into an exciting area of exploration.

Wrapping Up 

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in the NF Ambassador programme, which has allowed me to stay updated on the latest advancements in generative AI and explore GPT’s evolving capabilities within the chatbot platform. This journey has been both inspiring and transformative, as we discover innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning in schools.

With the new launch of the NoodleMe student app that is designed for learners of all ages, I am excited to see how these tools can further bridge the gap between technology and education. It’s been a remarkable year of growth, collaboration, and shared discovery with fellow educators and students.

Want to hear more? Watch Serene’s recent livestream with Yvonne Soh, CEO of Noodle Factory, as they dive into her innovative teaching methods and share how AI has reshaped the learning experience at Temasek Polytechnic.

Ready to save time, engage your students, and transform your teaching? Start your free trial today and see the difference AI can make in your classroom!