GenAI Essentials: Quick Tips for educators
This resource is a collaborative initiative developed to support University of Southampton staff in exploring the use of generative AI in education. The resource offers short, practical activities designed to build confidence and spark ideas for integrating GenAI into teaching and learning.
This project has been co-developed by:
- The University’s GenAI Working Group
- The Centre for Higher Education Practice
- The Digital Learning Team
Together, we’ve created a resource that reflects real teaching practice and supports staff to engage with GenAI in a meaningful, manageable way. The tips are written by colleagues across the university and are grounded in lived experience, experimentation, and peer support.
Whether you’re an educator, a professional services colleague, or someone supporting student learning, GenAI Essentials is here to help you explore, reflect, and connect.
Thank you to our contributors
We’re grateful to contributors from the University of Southampton GenAI Working Group and wider UoS community led by Professor Kate Borthwick (University Lead for AI in education). You can find out more about our contributors below.
The GenAI working group is a sub-group of the Digital Education Advisory Group which reports to the Vice-President Education and Student Experience and the Education and Student Experience Committee. It draws members from across the UoS community including students, academic and professional services staff. It advises on strategy, policy and guidance in relation to GenAI in education.
The Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP)
The Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP) promotes academic professional learning for every member of University staff and PGRs, in all areas of academic activity and at every stage of their career. Working in partnerships with faculties, CHEP enables staff to reach their full potential and achieve more together.
Interested in working with us?
If you would like to collaborate, adapt this resource, or learn more about our approach, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Us
The Digital Learning Team
The Digital Learning Team is the central resource for advancing digital education and fostering innovative teaching practices at the University of Southampton. Our mission is to enhance the learning experience through strategic integration of technology and pedagogical expertise.
Interested in working with us?
Find out how we can help you enhance your education delivery and make best use of digital tools for learning and teaching.
Our contributors:
Sheena Bahra
Sheena Bahra is doctoral student at Anderson University in South Carolina, America studying EdD in Curriculum and Instructional leadership. She is working on a project to develop AI literacy resources at the University of Southampton.
Peter Boorman
Peter Boorman is a Learning Designer in the Digital Learning Team at the University of Southampton
Professor Kate Borthwick
Professor Kate Borthwick is a Professor of Digital Education in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Southampton
How can staff use GenAI responsibly in education at UoS?
How are students using GenAI at UoS?
Cyborgs, centaurs or just me: ways of working with GenAI
Uncovering dataset limitations and baked-in bias
Impact of GenAI on cognitive development and critical thinking
Philippa Bunch
Philippa Bunch is a Senior Teaching Fellow at the Academic Centre for International Students (ACIS) at the University of Southampton
From prompt to practice: Teaching GenAI literacy to international students
Adrian Chong
Adrian Chong is a BEng Aeronautical and Astronautical student and Intern in the Centre for Higher Education Practice at the University of Southampton
UoS students: how we use GenAI and what we’d like you to know
Nicki Clarkson
Nicki Clarkson is an Engagement Librarian and member of the University of Southampton GenAI Working Group
Matthew Deeprose
Matthew Deeprose is an Accessible Solutions Architect in iSolutions at the University of Southampton
GenAI-powered alt text: Make your images accessible in minutes
Amy Harrison
Amy Harrison is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Assessment Consultancy Team in the Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP) at the University of Southampton
Daniel Hobson
Daniel Hobson is a Principal Teaching Fellow in design education in Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton
Alice Janssens
Alice Janssens is a Lecturer of Fashion Marketing and Management in Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton
Professor Stuart Middleton
Professor Stuart Middleton is Professor of Natural Language Processing at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton
Vanessa Mar-Molinero
Vanessa Mar-Molinero is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Academic Practice at the Centre for Higher Education Practice at the University of Southampton
Copilot 101: getting started with GenAI for education at UoS
Dr Taylor Matthews
Dr Taylor Matthews is a post-doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Southampton
Dr Becki Nash
Dr Becki Nash is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Academic Practice in the Centre for Higher Education Practice
Doctoral supervisors: how to talk about GenAI with your students
Dr Adam Procter
Dr Adam Procter is a Principal Teaching Fellow of Games and Interaction Design at Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton
Fatemeh Sargazi
Fatemeh Sargazi is a BEng Artificial Intelligence student and Deputy Lead Intern in the Centre for Higher Education Practice at the University of Southampton
The clarification loop: how students use GenAI for deeper learning
Professor Genia Schönbaumsfeld
Professor Genia Schönbaumsfeld is Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Southampton.
Dr Steven White
Dr Steven White is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Education Development in the University of Southampton Business School at the University of Southampton