From Chalk to Chat

Developing Future Leaders of Character

An AI-enhanced approach to education has profound implications for professional development. Cadets are developing crucial skills that will serve them well in their future careers by learning to independently seek and evaluate information, think critically about AI-provided solutions, and explain their reasoning and decision-making processes. They are learning to be discerning consumers of information, effective decision-makers, and adaptable professionals who can leverage technology while maintaining their own judgment and critical thinking abilities.

The Shift from Pedagogy to Andragogy

Traditional education often follows a pedagogical model where the instructor serves as the primary source of all knowledge and students depend on the instructor as the source of learning. However, modern educational theory emphasizes andragogy - adult learning that is self-directed and incorporates lived experiences. This shift from teacher-centered to student-centered learning is crucial in developing college graduates who can solve problems, think independently, and adapt to rapidly changing situations. The type of graduate that is equipped to be a leader of character in a complex and volatile world.

The Thayer Method Meets Artificial Intelligence

The historic Thayer Method, wherein cadets teach themselves material before the lesson and come to class prepared to be tested on it, has been an instructional method leveraged at West Point for more than a century and a half. Cadets have traditionally demonstrated their knowledge by presenting solutions to homework on chalkboards. In my accounting course, we are adapting this for the AI age. Instead of simply showing their work on a board, cadets now brief their AI collaboration - explaining which AI bot they chose, why they selected it, and how they collaborated with the technology to solve problems. This modern adaptation maintains the method’s core principle of self-directed and active learning while incorporating contemporary tools.

Perhaps the most significant benefit of this approach is in the resulting discussion. Instructors often express a goal to teach their cadets “how to think, not what to think.” An AI-enhanced approach allows instructors and peers to evaluate and assess the cadets’ thought process. When students explain their AI interactions, they reveal their decision-making strategies, problem-solving approaches, and critical thinking skills. This transparency benefits not only the instructor but also fellow cadets who gain insight into different approaches to problem-solving.

The integration of AI has led to more engaging and nuanced classroom discussions. When students encounter AI-provided information that appears to conflict with classroom instruction, it creates opportunities for rich discussions about accounting principles and their real-world applications. This diversity of perspectives helps develop a more sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

#AI4AI: Redefining Additional Instruction

One of the most important aspects of an AI-enhanced approach is captured in the tagline #AI4AI - “Artificial Intelligence for Additional Instruction.” Instructors at West Point are generally available to their cadets 24/7 for additional instruction and mentorship. It is reasonable to see how this availability can become the “easy button” when cadets are tackling challenging material. #AI4AI encourages students to use artificial intelligence as their first resource when seeking additional help (student-centered learning approach), rather than immediately turning to instructor’s office hours (teacher-centered learning approach). Instructors can then focus on deeper, more nuanced aspects of the subject matter.

The Cadet Honor Code

“A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do”¹

Certainly, the cadet honor code faces new complexities in the age of artificial intelligence. Educational institutions rightfully worry that AI tools might undermine academic integrity by enabling shortcuts that bypass genuine learning and assessment. However, this concern can be addressed through thoughtful integration rather than prohibition. By reframing AI as a collaborative tool institutions can enable students to position the technology as complementary to human cognition, rather than competitive with it.

Like many business related courses, my accounting course uses case studies to apply the knowledge gained in class to real world situations. Rather than prohibiting the use of AI for the case write up, we included an initial analyst recommendation that was created by AI as a starting point for the students to use. The cadets are required to critically assess the recommendations generated by AI and incorporate the assessment in the final case write-up. Using "AI as an analyst" that needs to be thoughtfully integrated we are fostering an environment where technology enhances rather than diminishes higher-order thinking skills.

Notably, the United States Military Academy has established clear guidelines that distinguish between ethical use of AI and academic dishonesty. In my opinion, the key lies in transparency between cadets and their instructors. AI policies are not broadly applied across a course. Instead, AI policies are created for each assignment within a course. When an assignment is designed to assess communication proficiency, cadets are encouraged to leverage AI to communicate more effectively and document the use through a traditional citation method. AI Products that provide chat URLs are particularly helpful in the citation process and allow an instructor to assess the process of learning, not simply the end result. When an assignment is designed to assess the actual art of writing or ability to create sentence structure, the assignment instructions are clear as to what tools are appropriate to use. Encouraging the ethical use of AI prepares students for a professional landscape where AI literacy and ethical technology use are increasingly essential competencies.

The Future of Higher Education

Traditional educational methods can be enhanced, rather than replaced, by artificial intelligence. The approach outlined above shows that AI can be integrated in ways that support core educational objectives while preparing students for a future where human-AI collaboration will be increasingly important. By combining time-tested teaching principles with modern AI tools, this approach is creating more independent, thoughtful, and capable professionals - exactly what is needed for the complex challenges our graduates will face.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Military Academy, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.