Montclair State University is focusing on teaching students how to think independently in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. As AI technology becomes more common in workplaces and classrooms, educators at the university are exploring new ways to foster critical thinking skills that go beyond what machines can produce.
Dr. Fiona “Freddie” Harris, who coordinates the first-year writing program at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, plays a key role in this effort. She encourages her students to use autoethnography—a method where individuals study their own communities through observation and analysis—to develop insights based on real experiences rather than machine-generated responses.
Dr. Harris works closely with other faculty members, such as Dr. Grace Cook and Dr. Nora McCook, to improve AI literacy among both students and instructors. Together, they design assignments that require critical analysis and personal reflection, testing these tasks against various AI tools to understand their limitations. “The bot can’t do that!” Dr. Harris remarked after seeing an AI attempt an autoethnography assignment.
Ethics and responsible research practices are central topics in her classes. For example, during her Writing 105 course, students learn about obtaining consent for interviews and practice observing behaviors within their chosen communities—skills aimed at strengthening their analytical abilities.
Faculty discussions extend beyond individual classrooms as well. During monthly meetings, Dr. Harris presents on the structure of the first-year writing sequence and highlights how humanities-based content supports critical thinking in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Outside traditional academic settings, Dr. Harris also teaches yoga philosophy and postural yoga at Selah Yoga in Roseland. Her approach emphasizes presence and self-awareness—values she brings into both her yoga sessions and university teaching.
Through these combined efforts, Montclair State University continues its mission to empower a diverse community by providing broad access to rigorous learning opportunities that prepare students for a world transformed by artificial intelligence.
