• Distinguish between two approaches to AI-powered student support by exploring how ClarkBOT assists with course navigation and logistics while Coach Clark provides guided academic practice.
• Identify ways AI tools can extend student support beyond the classroom by providing timely answers, low-pressure opportunities to ask questions, and additional opportunities for guided learning while maintaining appropriate instructional boundaries.
• Explore how this model can be adapted across disciplines and courses by using an instructor’s own course materials, policies, assignments, resources, and learning goals to create customized student-support tools.

Seminar Description

What if students had a first stop for course questions and a learning coach available whenever they needed additional support? This session introduces ClarkBOT and Coach Clark, two AI-powered tools developed for FNMT 019 that demonstrate how faculty can create customized, course specific student supports.

ClarkBOT helps students navigate the course by answering common questions about assignments, due dates, course policies, ALEKS, Canvas, and available resources. Coach Clark serves a different purpose: supporting learning through guided questions, hints, explanations, and additional practice rather than simply providing answers.

While these tools were developed for a mathematics course, the approach can be adapted across disciplines and course types. Faculty can use their own syllabi, course materials, frequently asked questions, assignments, readings, terminology, practice activities, and student-support resources to build tools that reflect the needs of their students.

Participants will see how these tools are integrated into Canvas, how intentional boundaries keep AI focused on supporting rather than replacing the instructor, and how a no-code platform can make this approach accessible without programming experience. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for creating their own course assistant, learning coach, or other AI-supported resource designed to increase access to support and enhance student learning.