Combining Human Creativity and AI-Based Tools in the Instructional Design of MOOCs: Benefits and Limitations

The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools in the design and creation of online courses from the perspective of instructional designers. We aim to share how the use of these tools can reduce the time and effort required to create engaging and effective courses, while still providing high-quality educational experiences for students. To achieve this goal, we provide a detailed description of the use of four specific AI-based tools: DALLE-2, Heygen, Tome.ai, and Movio. These tools were chosen because they offer a range of capabilities that are particularly useful to instructional designers, including the ability to generate text, images, and videos, as well as to provide personalized feedback and support to students. We then present a case study of the use of these tools in the creation of a MOOC, showing how they were used to generate initial course content, refine the course structure, and provide personalized support to students. Through this case study, we show how the use of AI-based tools can significantly reduce the time and effort required to create a functional course, while still ensuring high-quality educational experiences for students. In addition to the specific tools used in our case study, we also suggest a range of other AI-based tools that could be useful to instructional designers. By leveraging these tools, instructional designers can create engaging and interactive online courses that are tailored to the needs and preferences of individual students. Overall, this work provides a valuable resource for instructional designers who are looking to incorporate AI-based tools into their work. By exploring the potential benefits and limitations of these tools, and by providing examples of their use in practice, we hope to encourage instructional designers to consider how they can best leverage these tools to create engaging and effective online courses.