Abstract
This practitioner article presents a step-by-step guide for designing and embedding a course-specific generative AI chatbot using the Botpress platform. Aimed at digital learning practitioners and instructional designers, the article demonstrates how curated knowledge bases, carefully crafted prompts, and seamless LMS integration can create AI-powered teaching assistants that support student engagement and learning. Drawing on recent scholarship, the work highlights opportunities and challenges in leveraging generative AI for higher education, including accuracy, trust, and ethical considerations. A comparative analysis of alternative platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Dialogflow, further contextualizes Botpress within the broader landscape of AI-enabled educational tools. By combining practical implementation strategies with pedagogical insights, this article provides a replicable model for faculty seeking to responsibly adopt AI in online and hybrid courses.
Recommended Citation
Gil, Elias; Han, David; and Mendez, Joseph
(2026)
"Building a Course-Specific GenAI Chatbot: A Comprehensive Tutorial and Comparison,"
TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning: Vol. 6, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/txdla_jdl/vol6/iss1/7
Included in
Educational Technology Commons, Online and Distance Education Commons, Other Education Commons
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