Building with AI

From mental models to working tools.
A build-along workshop.

Vishal Sachdev · Gies College of Business · UIUC

uni-high-ai.pages.dev

#BuildToLearn · #LearnToBuild

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Arrow keys or swipe to navigate

The question

Your students will graduate into a world where every knowledge worker collaborates with AI daily.

The question isn't whether to teach AI.
It's how to teach with it.

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Shift 1 of 3

Data Entry → Data Direction

AI handles the rote work.

The human decides what questions to ask, what data matters, and what to do with the answer.

The skill is judgment, not execution.

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Shift 2 of 3

Specialists → T-Shaped Builders

The most valuable combination is
domain knowledge + ability to direct AI.

Students don't need to learn to code.
They need to learn to describe what they want built.

That's context engineering — and it's a communication skill.

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Shift 3 of 3

Consuming Tools → Building Tools

The old model: learn to use software.
Excel. Canva. QuickBooks.

The new model: describe what you need.
AI builds it.

This is project-based learning on steroids.

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The key insight

Domain expertise is the scarce ingredient.

AI is a multiplier — but it multiplies what you already know.
A teacher who knows their subject deeply is perfectly positioned for this shift.

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What matters when AI does the rote work?

C

Curiosity

"What don't I know? What could exist?"

→

A

Agency

"What can I do about it right now?"

↑

GRIT

The engine

↓

T

Thoughtful Judgment

"What did I learn? Persist, pivot, or stop?"

←

R

Resourceful Experimentation

"What small bet can I test cheaply?"

Click to reveal · github.com/vishalsachdev/grit-cart

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Let's build something.

Open your laptop. Sign in with your Google account.

aistudio.google.com

Scan for slides & prompts

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Getting started with Google AI Studio

1

Go to aistudio.google.com

Free. No credit card. Just your Google account.

2

Click "Build"

This is the app builder mode — not chat. You'll see three panels: chat (left), code (center), live preview (right).

3

Type a prompt describing what you want

Plain English. No coding. AI Studio generates a full working app in seconds.

4

Iterate by chatting

"Add a timer." "Change the colors." "Make the font bigger." Click any element to change it directly.

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Demo 1: Let's build this together

Create a vocabulary flashcard quiz app. Show one term at a time with a "Show Answer" button that reveals the definition. Include a score tracker, a "Next" button, and a "Shuffle" button to randomize the order. Use 10 sample terms about [your subject here]. Make it clean and modern with large readable text.

Copy this into the Build mode chat. Replace [your subject here] with your own topic — biology, US history, algebra, Spanish, anything.

After it generates, try these iterations:

"Add a hint button"

"Add a progress bar"

"Make it dark mode"

"Add 10 more terms about [topic]"

"Add a final score screen"

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What just happened

You didn't need to know

HTML, CSS, or JavaScript
How to set up a development environment
How to deploy an application
Any programming language

You did need to know

What a good flashcard quiz looks like
Which terms matter for your students
How to describe what you wanted clearly
Your domain expertise

That's the shift. The scarce ingredient is what you already have.

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Demo 2: Build something for your class

Pick a template. Replace the highlighted parts with your own content. Go.

Quiz / Review

Create a multiple choice quiz app about your topic with 10 questions, instant feedback on each answer, and a final score. Show explanations for wrong answers.

Study Guide

Build an interactive study guide for your unit. Organize key concepts into expandable sections with definitions, examples, and "Test Yourself" questions at the end of each section.

Timeline / Visual

Create an interactive timeline about your topic. Each event should have a date, title, description, and a "Why it matters" note. Let users click to expand details.

Classroom Tool

Build a random student group maker tool. Enter student names, set group size, and generate random groups. Include a "Regenerate" button and ability to lock certain students together.

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Where this leads: AI Skill Framework

Literacy

AI Literacy

Understand what AI can and can't do. Recognize AI in everyday tools. Critically evaluate AI output. Know the ethical considerations.

Your students can start here today — you just showed them how.

Competency

AI Competency

Use AI tools for real tasks. Solve problems with AI-powered resources. Interpret AI-generated insights. Collaborate with technical teams.

What we just did — building tools, iterating, evaluating output.

Expertise

AI Expertise

Develop and deploy AI solutions. Lead AI implementation. Think strategically about AI's transformative potential. Innovate new applications.

Students who arrive at college with Literacy + Competency are ahead of the game.

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Resources & links

Today's Tool

Google AI Studio

aistudio.google.com

Free. Build mode turns plain English into working apps.

This Slide Deck

All prompts & templates

uni-high-ai.pages.dev

Everything from today, including all prompt templates.

Newsletter

The Hybrid Builder

chatwithgpt.substack.com

Open Source

Canvas MCP

github.com/vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp

Research

AgentLab

agentlab.illinihunt.org