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NUFD10: Introduction to Nutrition

AI, Curiosity, Large Enrollment

Reflection on Instructional Change:

I used Scaffolding to introduce students to AI concepts early in the semester and weekly that prepared students to complete the AI medical condition nutrition assignment at the end of the semester. I wanted to be sure that students felt comfortable with using AI by modeling its use throughout the semester. I tell students that I am teaching curiosity in this class

Students were engaged in collaborating with their peers when working on the AI project in class. The assignment discussion board and reflection indicated that students learned about how nutrition is connected to medical conditions. A Qualtrics survey also provided additional feedback.

This new assignment was developed for the course that had a complex set of instructions. A ‘simplified’ instruction PPT was created to review the assignment. Yet there continued to be much confusion in some students.

What I learned was that it is difficult to have a new assignment that doesn’t have examples for students to conceptualize what is expected, especially in a large lecture hall class. My Observe and Analyze session was related to a class presentation about an article about how hiring managers are looking for applicants who have AI skills. Hopefully students in this class will have additional AI and critical thinking skills that they can use in the workplace as a result of class presentations and the final project for the course.

**Evidence of Instructional Change**
Screenshot of recording AI Literacy Skills in Job Postings Class Lecture Link to Recording Watch from minute: 3:53 - 5:34, 10:08-10:46 Link to student survey question about Careers in NUFD10	Screenshot AI Medical Condition Discussion Board	By the end of the semester students will demonstrate competence in using ChatGPT or Co-pilot to create a one-page nutrition and medical condition handout and critique, compare and contrast output. Screenshot AI Medical Condition Assignment Link to Assignment Link to PPT Simplified Instructions

Changes in Course Syllabus and Schedules: FACS10 (SP2018) and NUFD10 (FA2025)

Pre FLC - Syllabus and Schedule

Post FLC - Syllabus and Schedule

**Faculty Bio**
	Nadine Braunstein, PhD, RD, LDN, FAND is an Associate Professor and the Dietetic Internship Director in the Nutrition, Food and Dietetics Department. She has received the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nadine started at Sacramento State in the 2017-18 AY. Those were the only times that she taught NUFD10 until 2025. Many of the students taking NUFD10 are hoping to be a nurse, dietitian, or other health professional. Dr. Braunstein always has guest speakers talk about their careers. She also included weekly AI mini-lessons and included info from a Washington Post article that hiring managers and managers are expecting AI competence in employees.

**Program Sponsors**
	This work was supported by: National Science Foundation Hispanic Serving Institution Project STEM Zone DUE 1832335 US Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution Project Degree with a Purpose P031S210061 US Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution Project STEM4Teaching& Learning P031C210012 *Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the US Department of Education.