Antonio Tang (left) and Madeline Sias are exploring the impact of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), marked by ChatGPT’s explosive popularity in late 2022, has sparked a revolution in many industries, including higher education. Colleges and universities are grappling with a variety of challenges from academic integrity and intellectual property to curriculum adaptation and accessibility.
At Blackhawk Technical College, these challenges have spurred proactive efforts to not only address potential risks but also embrace AI’s transformative potential.
“AI is here to stay,” said Antonio Tang, a Communications instructor at Blackhawk who holds a doctorate in English from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
“It’s our responsibility to ensure students use it ethically and effectively while preserving critical thinking and authentic communication.”
Safeguarding Academic Integrity in the Age of AI
While AI offers tools to enhance learning, it also necessitates careful consideration of how students engage with their assignments.
Jon Mladic, Blackhawk’s Director of Teaching and Learning Resources, acknowledges the complexity of detecting AI usage.
“There is no reliable, flawless AI detector yet,” he said. “Many existing tools disproportionately flag non-native English speakers, which presents another challenge.”
To address these issues, Blackhawk faculty have implemented a range of strategies to uphold academic integrity. One successful approach is the use of authentic assessments—assignments that are less replicable by AI. These can range from completing written tasks in class to reflecting on personal learning processes.
Explicit communication with students is another key strategy. Faculty explain the skills and knowledge they intend students to develop through assignments, emphasizing that over-reliance on AI can hinder skill development. Conversely, faculty also model appropriate AI use by guiding students to employ AI tools for brainstorming or idea generation.
Further supporting these efforts, Blackhawk’s faculty community has developed a variety of AI policies that provide customizable frameworks, from encouraging AI use in specific assignments to prohibiting it without prior faculty approval.
Exploring AI’s Potential in the Classroom
In Tang’s English Composition courses, generative AI is used as a collaborative tool. Students now integrate AI into their coursework, submitting screenshots of their interactions with ChatGPT alongside written assignments. This approach requires reflection on
AI’s strengths and limitations while reinforcing originality.
“Without proper AI literacy, it can dissuade students from engaging in essential but admittedly difficult processes like generating ideas, finding their thesis, and clarifying their work through discussion,” Tang said. “However, generative AI can be beneficial when used thoughtfully and as part of the learning process.”
For students like Madeline Sias, however, the integration of AI is not without reservations. Sias is in Blackhawk’s Associate of Science program and a student in Tang’s composition course. While she acknowledges its potential to streamline certain tasks and provide immediate feedback, she remains cautious about its implications.
“I see how tools like ChatGPT can help generate ideas or reframe concepts, but I worry about losing the authenticity of my voice,” Sias said. “Writing isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about the creativity and the personal growth that comes with it.”
Sias, who graduated from Edgerton High School in 2024, admits that working with AI has been a learning experience, one that challenges her to balance innovation with tradition. By using AI as a brainstorming partner rather than a substitute, she is beginning to explore its advantages while maintaining her personal approach to writing.
“I want to use AI in a way that enhances my work, not replaces my effort,” she said. “It’s a fine line.”
Tang’s proactive methods reflect Blackhawk’s broader goals. Faculty from various departments, including manufacturing, also are exploring AI’s potential in their fields. Manufacturing instructors, for instance, are integrating AI tools to enhance problem-solving and design innovation, ensuring students graduate with industry-relevant skills.
Ryan Hartter, Blackhawk’s Electro-Mechanical Technology program instructor, said AI tools save time by providing quick, targeted information on tasks like setting parameters or troubleshooting components, which traditionally took much longer. This integration allows students to work on live systems while leveraging AI to streamline processes.
“We look at it as a tool,” Hartter said. “But we still have to be the hands, eyes and ears of connecting it to the real world.”
Students themselves have been a huge source of motivation, as his classes have been eager to learn more and keep up with the current technology. With student collaboration, Hartter believes that Blackhawk’s future of AI integration is looking bright.
“I have my own picture in mind. But when they paint the picture with their views, it soon becomes a masterpiece. That's really what we're going for – to see what their vision is and their artistic ability,” he said.
Cordell Dixon, Electro-Mechanical Technology student, pushed for this progress in the classroom.
“I fell in love with programming,” Dixon said. “When I came here, I knew nothing about it. With these tools and the guidance of my instructors at Blackhawk, I can make myself a great programmer. So I can further myself in life. Now, I have a passion for programming.”
Partnership with AAC&U
Tang’s and Hartter’s efforts coincide with a larger institutional initiative that has led Blackhawk to join the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Institute on Artificial Intelligence. Through this collaboration, Blackhawk has gained access to expert mentorship, cutting-edge resources, and a network of peer institutions exploring AI’s transformative role in academia.
Mladic, who is a co-lead of the initiative with AAC&U, emphasized the importance of these connections.
“Nobody has the definitive guide on how to best implement AI. This partnership allows us to learn from others’ experiences and adapt their successes to our needs,” he said.
Through this collaboration, Blackhawk has facilitated meaningful conversations among faculty and other institutions, sharing strategies and solutions as AI continues to evolve. A key outcome is the development of new courses, such as AI Literacy, a general education course set to launch in the fall of 2025.
Designed by faculty member Dan Zaleski, this course will provide foundational knowledge on using AI effectively in academic and professional settings.
It will also serve as a springboard for program-specific offerings like AI for Web Developers, which address the unique demands of various industries.
“This partnership is not just about staying current,” Mladic said. “It’s about equipping our students with skills that advisory boards across industries are demanding, ensuring they remain competitive in the job market.”
Transforming Student Success
AI is not only reshaping the classroom but also revolutionizing how Blackhawk supports student success. Tools like AI-driven study planners are helping students balance the demands of college, work and family by providing personalized schedules and reminders tailored to their unique needs.
AI is also creating new opportunities for accessibility and personalized learning. Instructors are integrating AI tools into their courses to make education more adaptable, efficient, and inclusive. One such tool, automated transcription services, provides real-time, accurate transcripts of lectures and discussions, allowing students to access content in multiple formats.
“It takes two seconds to add a transcript,” Mladic said. “Now students have a completely separate option for how they engage with the material.”
These innovations benefit students with formal learning accommodations and offer additional value for all learners. For instance, some students may prefer reading over listening, while others find alternative formats helpful due to time constraints or personal learning styles.
“This isn’t just about AI,” Mladic said.
“It’s about reimagining education—how we teach, how we learn, and how we prepare our students for tomorrow.”