3.2 Teaching with Claude: Lessons from a Cross-Disciplinary Pilot

Teaching with Claude: Lessons from a Cross-Disciplinary Pilot
Darius Ornston, Professor, Teaching Stream, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy speaking on behalf of Wilson Prichard, Professor, Teaching Stream  
Will Heikoop, Digital Learning Innovation & Engagement speaking on behalf of Aaron Wheeler, Professor, Teaching Stream, Chemistry, FAS  
Phanikiran Radhakrishnan, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Management, UTSC  
Jaqueline Whyte Appleby, Associate Director, Scholars Portal
Sophia Bello, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, French, FAS
Sam Maglio, Professor, Teaching Stream, Management, UTSC 

Filtering the Noise: Tools, Trends, and Tensions                    

Generative AI tools are rapidly reshaping conversations about teaching and learning—but amidst the excitement and concern, it can be difficult to determine what meaningfully supports student learning and what simply adds noise. This interactive 60-minute workshop shares lessons from U of T’s Claude for Education pilot, in which instructors across disciplines experimented with AI in their courses.

Pilot participants explored diverse applications, including AI-supported course chatbots and tutors, structured assignment integration, and guided student use of Claude for research, drafting, and feedback. In this session, instructors will briefly share their approaches, what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised them. Together, we will surface concrete signals: design choices that enhanced engagement, clarified expectations, supported equity, or deepened learning. We will also reflect on challenges, unintended consequences, and areas where AI created distraction or complexity.

Through rapid sharing and facilitated discussion, participants will leave with practical insights, emerging design patterns, and critical questions to inform their own experimentation. Grounded in classroom experience rather than hype, this session invites attendees to tune in to what truly matters when integrating AI into teaching practice.