Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Josh Thorpe

@joshthorpe.bsky.social

1.3K followers 370 following 76 posts

Author of AI for Students (see https://promptlybooks.com) + academic advisor and learning developer at U of Stirling, UK

promptlybooks.com)

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Nov 12

Hi all! Me: Learning designer, academic literacies advisor. Author AI for Students, a comic-style guide to human-centered use of gen AI. Also into info design, protocols for learning, accessibility, creative approaches. Canada then Scotland, now UStirling and Royal Conserv. Scotland. #Edusky #ai

1 5

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Feb 26

Check out this podcast on AI in Education! www.linkedin.com/posts/acao-o... #edusky #aieducation

Association of Chief Academic Officers on LinkedIn: #highereducation #ai #edtech #futureoflearning #edup #academicleadership

New episode alert! 📢 The EdUp Provost podcast welcomes Josh Thorpe for an eye-opening discussion on revolutionizing AI integration in higher education!…

www.linkedin.com

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Feb 3

I’m no AI hype guy, but I have seen gen AI chatbots give spaces for play with ideas. This is a type of accessibility to experimentation many students do not feel they have in everyday student life. #edusky #aiedu @annamillsoer.bsky.social

2 4

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 20

Which is not to disavow the climate concern, just to put it in context.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 20

Looks great— will put on reading list. And pls ping me if I forget to respond.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 19

Cool! What were the main findings/implications?

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 17

AI is complex, massive, full of risks and opportunities, connected to so many narratives, leads to so many possibilities, (dystopian and utopian and those in between). The world, and each of us, could only be expected to have a complicated response. #edusky #ai #aieducation

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 17

AI refusal versus AI optimism. We don’t have to choose a side, we can be both critical and curious, slow and fast, grumpy and thrilled. #edusky #aiedu #aieducation #ai

2 1 3

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 17

AI may not be the energy villain it’s accused of being. Data scientist Hannah Ritchie: www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/ai-energy-... #edusky #aiedu #aieducation

What’s the impact of artificial intelligence on energy demand?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) thinks we should all chill out a bit.

www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com

2 1 2

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 16

Use AI a little, not a lot: The idea of “AI minimalism“. A helpful response to questions re. How do we teach critical AI literacy while respecting concerns such as the climate impact of AI.
Thanks for the concept
@danielcryer.bsky.social

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 15

It was an excellent session thanks to all!

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 14

This image is amazing and it’s giving me a good reminder to take it easy out there in AI hype land.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 10

AI and sonnets? Use gen AI creatively in education, with the human at the center and creative work at the core. DM me if this approach interests you. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care... #aiedu #edusky #aieducation #edtech #highered #furthered @insidehighered.com

A better approach for teaching about AI (opinion)

One small change in our approach to teaching about AI makes a big difference, Josh Thorpe writes.

www.insidehighered.com

1 2

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Jan 8

AI for Students (the comic book) has been really nicely recieved by academics in UK and US. It demos creative ways to use gen AI to think MORE, not less. #aiforstudents #ai #aiedu #aiminimalism #aiineducation #edusky

1 5 4

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 27

I do that too; limiting / constraining is highly underrated and so powerful. Nice one.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 20

How nice to see this— thanks so much Viola!

Reposted by Josh Thorpe

Viola Wiegand @violawiegand.bsky.social · Dec 20

I treated myself to Stirling colleague Josh Thorpe’s (@joshthorpe.bsky.social) new book on AI for students (and educators) to read over the holidays - but I may already read it over the weekend, it looks really fun and yet thoughtful!

Cover page of a paper back book by Josh Thorpe titled “AI for students: Creative hacks for academic success - An illustrated guide” with a cartoon version of the author asking “Hey, can we use AI tools to make study more fun and effective?” And a computer answering “OK, I can help with that”

Photo of the blurb on the back of the book: “This book is great! I really like the gentle humour and the illustrations. #hasjust the right tone, structure, and content to help students get to grips with Al as a leaming tool.
-Steve Rolfe, Lecturer, university of stirling
Generative Al has shaken up education, leaving some excited and others uneasy. But fear not! This engaging, comic-style book reveals practical secrets to making Al a fun, healthy, and effective learning tool.
With Al for Students, anyone in school, college, or university can use tech like ChatGPT to improve their academic work - and enjoy it more.
You'll learn to:
• Collaborate with Al chatbots: Gain practical 'prompt-engineering' secrets to work smarter with ChatGPT, Copilot, and similar tools.
• Boost performance: Do better work without cheating or outsourcing your brain.
• Build healthy habits: Blend Al with study, reading, writing, planning, and brainstorming, while increasing your autonomy and critical thinking skills.
• Stay ahead of the curve: Get involved, get confident, and get creative while the tech is still fresh.
This guide is a must for anyone looking to stay competitive while staying calm in today's tech-driven academic world. Perfect for students and educators alike, this book is your ticket to harnessing Al while keeping academic integrity and creativity intact.
Josh Thorpe is a lecturer, writing instructor, and academic advisor.
He has worked with students and teachers from all over the world at University of Toronto, University of Stirling, Glasgow Caledonian University, and Glasgow School of Art. Thorpe is also a writer, artist, and musician living in Glasgow.”

1 1 6

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 16

Thanks so much Daisy — great to have your feedback !

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 14

Check out AI for Students Mr K. It’s fun and not the usual. : D

1 1

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 13

AI to save time? Boring. Try using it (sparingly) to spark thought and action. And off you go. Touch grass! : D #aiforstudents #ai #aiedu #aiminimalism #aiineducation #edusky

Person telling AI not to give all the answers.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 12

A lot of student stress out there in HE. Staff too. What’s one systemic, technological, or material change you think would make a meaningful impact on how we do higher Ed? #highered #university #college #edusky

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 11

Call for reviewers still open. It’s “AI for Students.” Could you recommend this book to uni, college, high school libraries? Interested in humane digital literacy? Message me! #edusky #highered #teacher #higheredsky #parenting #aieducation #aiineducation #edtech #highschool

1 3 3

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 11

I mostly feel the same, but also I can imagine a universe where composing some texts is thought of as a curatorial or design activity more than an authorial one. It might be that people in 20 years have a different relationship to language.

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 11

Writing as material. Writing as a physical process. Making word lists, moving index cards around, assembling images. Oulipo writers taught me this. From this angle, AI (other concerns aside) can be one material process among many. #edusky #aiineducation #aieducation #oulipo #highered

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 11

Also, in reading something an AI wrote, right? Big cognitive, psychological, affective difference. On the other hand, if you think of writing more like construction, like a material process, bringing in an AI for aspects doesn’t seem so weird to me.

1 1

Josh Thorpe @joshthorpe.bsky.social · Dec 7

Love it. Could see adding “am I overdue for a screen break and need to go touch grass” 😎