Additionally, the professors are using CustomGPT.ai to create other tools that help students engage with interactive tools, statistics and research methods, and concepts, that will better meet learning goals and develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they hope students retain years after taking their courses.

"We are just beginning to use the AI tool as we delayed access to have time to plan and gather resources," said Dr. Angela Kelling. "We are working together as a team and with the AI to determine how we want to organize the OER," she continued. "We have a lot of articles that we will upload to the CustomGPT.ai and then ask it to draft text. We will then collaborate to revise the created text and ensure it covers the topics well. We also plan to integrate other resources, like websites and videos, to enhance the text and help students engage with the material."

The OER text will be piloted in Dr. Angela Kelling's Brain and Behavior course in the fall of 2024. She and the other professors will continue to refine the text and use the updated version in spring courses. The chatbot for statistics will be fed a lot of examples of calculations. The goal is to create a resource that helps students identify their mistakes and learn how to perform statistical calculations with better accuracy and confidence.

"For the Brain and Behavior course, we hope that by creating free, concise, and engaging texts, students will read them and engage with the material," said Dr. Angela Kelling. "For the statistic and methods courses, we hope it will be another tool students can use to meet learning goals. We plan to collect data to help us refine the products we create."

Professors will gather data and feedback from students to assess the usability of the OER materials and identify areas for improvement. The finalized OER text will be added to the Neumann Library's OER repository for broader access and use.

Dr. Angela Kelling expressed her gratitude to UHCL's Neumann Library and the Center for Faculty Development for their invaluable support throughout the project.

"Their investment in faculty development is very appreciated," she said. "We are also thankful to CustomGPT.ai for the grant that allows us to enhance our products and faculty development."

For more information about UHCL's Department of Psychology, visit www.uhcl.edu/human-sciences-humanities/departments/psychology/.