Case study: AI & classroom activities

Yurii Kondratyk (University of Tartu): Integration of AI into classroom activities

This case study outlines how AI was integrated into the master’s-level course Introduction to Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, attended by 38 graduate students. The course focuses on developing students’ critical thinking, regional knowledge, and analytical skills—learning outcomes that are increasingly relevant in an era shaped by generative AI (genAI).

The rise of genAI in academia has sparked debate, particularly around fears that students may “outsource” their thinking. To address this, we explored how to incorporate AI in a way that supports student thinking.

We define “critical AI use” through three competencies:

1. Students do not treat AI-generated content as a substitute for their own ideas.
2. They verify AI outputs rather than accept them uncritically.
3. They recognize biases and understand how algorithms influence content.

Based on these principles, we designed activities such as reflection sheets, mini-debates, and text analysis. We emphasize that AI should function as a thinking partner—a tool to consult, critique, and learn from, not a replacement for the student’s intellectual work.