Integrating Universal Generative AI Platforms in Educational Labs to Foster Critical Thinking and Digital Literacy

This presentation explores a novel pedagogical approach that integrates free generative AI platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, NightCafe) into educational lab activities to promote critical thinking and digital literacy. Rather than banning or ignoring AI in classrooms, the authors propose turning GenAI's limitations—especially its tendency to produce inaccurate or misleading outputs—into learning opportunities. Students interact with GenAI systems by posing prompts on subjects they have already mastered, then critically assess the correctness and relevance of the AI-generated responses in text, image, and video formats. The presentation highlights the implementation of this model in general astronomy courses for non-science majors, showcasing high student engagement and creativity. It presents an evaluation framework and outlines specific strategies for using GenAI tools to enhance educational outcomes, such as prompt engineering, comparative analysis, and visual storytelling. The study concludes with recommendations for instructors and emphasizes the value of critical evaluation in the AI era.