Defining & Mapping Constructs for Capstone Projects with David Dockterman

The Challenge: In the course "Impact by Design," students often find themselves addressing complex problems they aren’t fully familiar with, leading to confusion and an overwhelming amount of information to process quickly.

The AI Solution: Dockterman integrated GenAI tools to help students define and map constructs relevant to their capstone projects. Students engage AI in discussions about the key factors related to their chosen education problems, prompting it to challenge their assumptions and provide clarity. For instance, they might ask, “How does status-seeking impact teacher motivation?” or request summaries of numerous research articles to inform their designs.

What Made It Work: By using AI not as a replacement but as a collaborative thinking partner, students efficiently outline their constructs and hone their focus, turning difficult educational challenges into manageable projects. This method encourages critical questioning and supports evidence-based design.

Key Takeaway: This approach illustrates how AI can streamline the initial stages of project development, helping students refine their inquiries and strengthen their proposals through interaction and revision.