【Article by EMI Resource Center】

Integrating AI Applications and Reflection: Achieving Excellence and Sparking New Teaching Inspirations

On December 12 at noon, the NCCU EMI Resource Center successfully hosted the EMI TA Final Training Session, drawing enthusiastic participation from teaching assistants (TAs) across various disciplines and international students. The event aimed to enhance TAs’ teaching skills and creativity while providing a platform for mutual exchange and deep reflection. In a relaxed yet inspiring atmosphere, participants not only reviewed their past teaching experiences but also re-examined their personal growth through creative tools and activities. The event buzzed with energy as learning and sharing intertwined among assistants in EMI settings.

The activity began with an opening remark by Professor Siaw-Fong Chung, Director of the EMI Resource Center. Professor Chung expressed her hope that the TAs would gain practical teaching tools, reflect on and analyze past teaching challenges, and draw lessons to integrate creative thinking into their future teaching practices for more professional and efficient outcomes. The event was facilitated by Joyce Chen, a master’s student and member of the center, along with Yen Yen, a Ph.D. student and writing consultant.

The first session, led by Joyce, introduced the creative teaching tool Padlet, guiding participants through a profound situational reflection. The activity featured five scenarios focusing on communication with instructors, handling challenging student questions, language use dilemmas, strategies for overcoming task failures, and the achievements and growth experienced as EMI TAs. Participants discussed each scenario on-site and recorded their reflections and insights on Padlet. This digital interactive approach not only enhanced the immediacy and engagement of sharing but also allowed participants to visualize diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering rich and dynamic learning interactions.

After completing the situational reflection, the event transitioned into a more creative second phase—transforming reflections into creations. Under Joyce’s guidance, participants learned to use ChatGPT to turn their teaching insights into songs. They first generated personalized lyrics via ChatGPT, showcasing the challenges they faced in teaching and their growth through overcoming these difficulties. Then, with an introduction to Suno AI music tools by Yen, participants set musical styles and titles for their lyrics, ultimately creating their own musical pieces. Gomez, a Ph.D. student in the Asia-Pacific Studies program at National Chengchi University, remarked that this creative process not only allowed him to revisit his teaching journey from a new perspective but also deepened his appreciation for this path of growth. This session sparked participants’ creativity, making the reflection process more tangible and impactful.

Throughout the activity, EMI TAs enthusiastically shared their teaching experiences and challenges. Participants acknowledged that, as EMI TAs, they play a crucial role in bridging teachers and students, helping students understand academic content while navigating linguistic and cultural barriers. One TA, Khnah, noted that they should assist in adjusting overly academic course content, acting as a bridge between instructors and students and narrowing the gap between professional knowledge and students’ comprehension. Another TA, Clever Firefly (pseudonym), shared how they effectively utilized AI tools to address student questions, enhancing both efficiency and professionalism. Additionally, international TAs shared their unique cultural and teaching experiences, providing mutual inspiration and fostering a sense of cohesion and support throughout the event.

The program also included a session introducing resources for English teaching. Edward Fung, a Ph.D. student and writing consultant, detailed various writing tools and resources provided by the center, including techniques for improving English writing skills and their application in teaching. These resources offered TAs strong support for meeting future teaching challenges and further boosted their professional confidence.

At the event’s conclusion, Professor Chung summarized the day, thanking all participants for their enthusiastic involvement and insightful sharing. Professor Chung encouraged everyone to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the event to their future teaching practices and looked forward to seeing each TA continue to progress and excel on their teaching journey. Centered on creativity and reflection, the event successfully provided a platform for EMI TAs to exchange ideas and learn, laying a solid foundation for their future teaching endeavors. Participants expressed that the event was an inspiring and rewarding experience, leaving them filled with confidence and anticipation for their teaching future.

【More Information】
Wrbsite：https://www.eminccu.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/nccu.emi
Instegram: https://www.instagram.com/nccu.emi