Pedagogy 2025
Abstract
We will present a paper discussing a case study of an online course using an AI Chat Bot to create a simulation for a Human Resources Course Assignment. The course is a graduate course in a College of Business related to Human Resources Management with a focus on employees with disabilities. The Assignment is to interview 3 potential employees. The AI Chat Bot is the potential employees that provides the answers to the interview questions. Two of the three interviews are people with a disability that is not disclosed during the interview. The assignment has the students reflect upon the interaction with the AI Chat Bot, as well as identifying which of the 3 interviewees were hired. This assignment was created through an interdisciplinary approach with 2 professors and an Instructional Designer. One professor is a Business professor and the other one is a special education professor. The instructional designer has specific expertise with the AI Chat Bot. During the presentation, the assignment will be discussed, student data will be described, and the interaction with the AI Chat Bot will also be addressed. The implications of the interdisciplinary approach and the use of the AI Chat Bot have important insights for new approaches for collaboration between faculty and students.
Lori A. Howard, Ph.D., earned a doctoral degree from the University of Virginia in educational psychology. Currently, she is a Professor of Special Education at Marshall University where she has received the Pickens-Queen Excellence in Teaching award and two Hedrick awards for Team Collaboration for Teaching Innovation. She has co-authored several books on special education. Her current interests include students with disabilities into math and science courses, technology (online learning and the use of AI), and inclusion of people with disabilities into society with a focus on accessibility.
Ralph E. McKinney, Jr. is an Associate Professor of Management at the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business at the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University. He holds degrees from Aston Business School at Aston University in Birmingham, England (DBA), Marshall University (MBA) and West Virginia State University (RBA). Additionally, he is a licensed Private Investigator.
Hilary Gibson completed her undergraduate degree at Marshall University, where she earned a BA in Secondary Education in General Science and Chemistry. After leaving Huntington, she moved to Charleston and worked in the Kanawha County Schools as a high school science teacher for almost 10 years. During that time, she earned her MA in Instructional Design and Technology from WVU. Hilary’s goal with the OEC at Marshall is to help foster an engaging and relevant learning experience for all learners. She also works with industry and campus partners to create micro credential courses to provide training or professional development opportunities.