Center for Teaching and Learning Blog

Tag: workshops

Crafting Your AI Course Policy

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This semester the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning provided a workshop on crafting an AI course policy. This post provides some key takeaways from the workshop.

AI Tools Have Pros and Cons

AI tools, just like any tools, have specific capabilities and limitations. Some AI tools are able to generate executable code as well as meaningful text, images, music, and video. Different AI tools have different capabilities in these areas.

AI tools also have limitations. Many of them:

  • Do not evaluate the quality of the data they were trained on
  • Sound authoritative even when they present incorrect information
  • Makeup sources when complying with requests
  • Do not correct for biases in their data

When instructors ask students to use AI tools, it can be helpful to present both the capabilities and the limitations of the tools. Students have different levels of experience using AI tools. Students also have different levels of understanding of how these tools work and what their capabilities and limitations are. Providing a brief overview of AI tools in class helps ensure that all students become knowledgeable about how to effectively use these tools.

AI-Use in Courses

Effective use of AI to support learning will look different in different courses. It’s important to consider the desired course learning outcomes when determining whether AI tools can be used effectively to support student learning in a specific course. For example, some courses may require students to build foundational knowledge. Overuse of AI tools in these courses could make it more difficult for students to build this foundation. Other courses may require students to perform certain tasks quickly. If AI tools can help students create higher quality outputs, more efficiently, using AI tools to their full extent may support student learning in these courses.

When instructors decide what level of AI use to allow or encourage in their courses, they should consider four levels of AI use:

  • No AI-use: In these courses, the instructor has determined that using AI tools will make it more difficult for students to achieve the course learning outcomes, so AI-use is not allowed.
  • Use AI only as directed: In these courses, the instructor determines when and how AI tools can support students in achieving the course learning outcomes. The instructor indicates throughout the course when students should and should not use AI tools and explains how the tools should be used.
  • Use AI with no restrictions when directed: In these courses, the instructor determines when AI tools can support students in achieving the course learning outcomes. The instructor indicates throughout the course when students can use AI tools, and students are able to use AI tools however they would like to complete the AI-use permitted learning activities.
  • No restrictions on AI-use: In these courses, the instructor has determined that students can use AI tools however and whenever they would like. The students determine when using AI tools will help them achieve the course learning outcomes and how to use the tools.

These categories of AI use are not comprehensive, and instructors may find that a different strategy for AI use is most effective for the courses they teach.

Disclosing AI-Use

When students are allowed or encouraged to use AI tools as part of a learning activity, it is recommended that they document their AI-use. This can be done using citations for written work according to a discipline’s style guide. This can also be done by asking students to provide a brief description of how they used AI tools when completing a specific learning activity. It can also be useful to ask students to reflect on their experience using AI tools. For examples of how some instructors have asked students to disclose their AI-use, see Lance Eaton’s collection of Syllabi Policies for AI Generative Tools, which he collected from faculty willing to share their AI syllabus policies.

Michigan Tech Resources

The Michigan Tech AI Working Group has provided AI Resources for Faculty and Staff. These resources include Policy Guidance, Syllabus Guidance, and Pedagogical Tools and Educator Resources. These resources can be a starting point for you as you consider how to communicate your AI policy to your students.

If you would like to request an additional session of the Crafting Your AI Course Policy workshop, email Catharine Gruver at cgruver@mtu.edu.

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CTL Technical Workshop: Panopto

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Are you looking for a way to incorporate video recordings to increase student engagement or provide course materials to be viewed in preparation for class? Perhaps you’re seeking a tool to capture lectures or meetings where multiple video sources can be captured at the same time which can be easily edited and shared? Compatible with multiple operating systems and file formats, Panopto is a robust and straight-forward tool to fit those needs and many more.

Join the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning for an Introduction to Panopto workshop on March 28, 2024 at 11am at the Van Pelt and Opie Library Room 242. Workstations (Windows operating system based) will be available if you would like to follow along or feel free to bring your own device! 
To register, please visit this link: https://mtu.libcal.com/event/12254156

For questions or accommodation requests, please contact Jess with the Center for Teaching and learning at jelhendr@mtu.edu or (906) 487-2275.

Flyer for the event. Decorative as the information on the flyer is also found in the paragraph above the flyer.
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CTL Technical Workshop: Getting Started with iClicker Cloud

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Thursday, January 4, 2024 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: Library Room 244

The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will host a technical workshop Thursday, January 4, 2024, to introduce instructors to iClicker Cloud software.

iClicker Cloud helps instructors engage with their students in the classroom by asking polling questions that can promote discussion, identify areas of confusion and generate questions. Michigan Tech has a campus site license for iClicker Cloud, so instructors can use this tool at no additional cost to their students.

In this CTL technical workshop, we’ll review how to get started using iClicker Cloud in your classroom. We’ll review how to set up your instructor account, iClicker Groups, make custom course settings to meet your needs, and integrate the course with your Canvas course. 

Register for the workshop — make plans to join us Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 2-3 p.m.

The workshop will be held in Library 244.

Contact the CTL at elearning@mtu.edu with any questions about this workshop or using iClicker Cloud in your class.

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November 2023

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Thursday November 2, 2023, at 3:30 PM

Attention Instructors: Let’s Talk AI in the Classroom!

Do you have insights or questions about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education? Are you curious about how your colleagues are integrating AI into their teaching? Join us for an engaging coffee chat on November 2, 2023, at 3:30 PM hosted by the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning, the Van Pelt and Opie Library, and the Office of Academic and Community Conduct.

What We’ll Discuss

  • Course Policies: Do you have an official policy on the use of AI tools in your classes?
  • Student Engagement: How are you encouraging or discouraging students to utilize AI in their coursework?
  • Instructor Use: How much are you using AI tools in your teaching?
  • Workforce Preparedness: What skills do your students need to effectively use AI tools in their future careers?

Why You Should Attend

  • Share Best Practices: Learn from your peers and share your own experiences.
  • Influence Policy: Your input may help shape institutional guidelines on AI use.
  • Network: Connect with other forward-thinking educators on campus.

Event Details

  • Topic: Navigating the AI Landscape in Teaching and Learning
  • Date: November 2, 2023
  • Time: 3:30 PM
  • Location: Library East Reading Room

Register, and make plans to be part of this conversation about the role of AI in education. Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Thursday November 2, 2023, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

CTL Course Design Series: #1- Learning Objectives

Join the CTL Instructional Design team for an active and hands-on workshop where we will take a deep dive into the first step in creating high quality courses: defining and developing observable and measurable learning objectives.

When you begin creating a course, you want to design with the end in mind. The best way to approach this is to start by writing observable and measurable course learning objectives. Course learning objectives are the destinations on your course map. They state where you want students to go. A learning objective is a statement that clearly and precisely describes what the learner will know and be able to DO by the end of the course, module or unit. Bring your tablet or laptop and have a course in mind you would like to start the Instructional Design process on, and let’s get to work!

Register here for part 1, the second event in the series will be held on Nov 9. Watch for details to be published Thursday, November 9, 2023

soon.

Thursday, November 9, 2023, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Planning out your course map is a pivotal step towards success in teaching your course. It serves as the blueprint for your course design. In this workshop, we will help you plan out your course content, assessments, and learning activities using backward design so that they align with your module learning objectives.  Backward design starts with the end in mind, which is a very useful model for planning out your course map.

So bring your tablet or laptop, have a course in mind that you would like to start the Instructional Design process on, and let’s get to work!

Register for this event here.

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October 2023

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CTL Lunch and Learn – Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials

Tuesday October 10, 2023 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Are you passionate about making higher education more accessible and affordable for your students?  Make plans to attend the next CTL Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, October 10, at noon in the MUB Alumni Lounge, featuring the Committee for Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials (CAALM).

During the luncheon members of CAALM will introduce the committee’s mission and discuss three critical areas of focus that promise to improve the way we approach course materials:

1. Enhancing Course Material Affordability:

Discover how inclusive access agreements with publishers can help reduce the burden of expensive textbooks and course materials. We’ll shed light on innovative strategies to make education more cost-effective without compromising quality.

2. Embracing Open Educational Resources (OER):

Explore the world of Open Educational Resources and learn how to find course materials tailored to your discipline. There is a wealth of freely available resources that can enrich your curriculum while reducing financial strain on your students.

3. Ensuring Digital Accessibility:

It’s time to ensure that your instructional materials are inclusive for all students, regardless of their abilities.  We’ll share insights on the importance of the digital accessibility of course materials, including ebooks, PDF documents, slide presentations, and video recordings.

This Lunch and Learn event promises to be a source of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.  Lunch will be provided to those who register in advance. We look forward to seeing you there!  Contact the CTL (ctl@mtu.edu) with any questions.

CTL Workshop: Enhancing Canvas Course Design Using DesignPlus

Thursday, October 12, 2023, 2:00pm – 3:00pm,

Would you like to develop a high quality, engaging course using a modern and professional looking course template? Plan to attend the instructional design team from the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning for a workshop about enhancing Canvas course design using DesignPlus tools. We will introduce DesignPlus and the course template, review how to import the course template, and show you how you can customize it for your own course. This workshop will focus on the most common and easy course design features to help you build a high quality professional looking course. No advanced technical skills are necessary.  

Registration for this event can be found here.

CTL Coffee Chat- Michigan Tech Writing Center: Supporting Students

Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 3:30pm – 4:30pm

You’re invited to the next CTL Coffee Chat on Tuesday, October 17, at 3:30. Claire Helakoski, Assistant Director of the MTU Writing Center, will discuss the Center’s role, the different types of plagiarism that instructors might encounter in student work, and provide practical insights on effective language to discuss citing issues with your students. We’ll also review the Turnitin (TII) similarity tool, demonstrate how to enable this feature in a Canvas-based writing assignment and provide guidance for interpreting Turnitin reports.

Registration for this event can be found here.

CTL Lunch and Learn – Essential Education Experience

Monday, October 23, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:00 PM

Learn more about the Essential Education Experience at our next CTL Lunch and Learn.

One of the signature pieces of the new Essential Education curriculum is the Essential Education Experience. This credit-bearing experience will give all Michigan Tech undergraduate students an opportunity to use what they are learning in their general education coursework to engage in collaborative, project-based work that connects them with the local community or with global partners. Join leaders from the Essential Education implementation leadership team to learn more about the Essential Education Experience and share your ideas about the kinds of innovative opportunities we can develop to address this new requirement.

Registration for this event can be found here.

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CTL Lunch and Learn: Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials

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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Are you passionate about making higher education more accessible and affordable for your students?  Make plans to attend the next CTL Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, October 10, at noon in the MUB Alumni Lounge, featuring the Committee for Accessible and Affordable Learning Materials (CAALM).

During the luncheon members of CAALM will introduce the committee’s mission and discuss three critical areas of focus that promise to improve the way we approach course materials:

1. Enhancing Course Material Affordability:

Discover how inclusive access agreements with publishers can help reduce the burden of expensive textbooks and course materials. We’ll shed light on innovative strategies to make education more cost-effective without compromising quality.

2. Embracing Open Educational Resources (OER):

Explore the world of Open Educational Resources and learn how to find course materials tailored to your discipline. There is a wealth of freely available resources that can enrich your curriculum while reducing financial strain on your students.

3. Ensuring Digital Accessibility:

It’s time to ensure that your instructional materials are inclusive for all students, regardless of their abilities.  We’ll share insights on the importance of the digital accessibility of course materials, including ebooks, PDF documents, slide presentations, and video recordings.

This Lunch and Learn event promises to be a source of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.  Lunch will be provided to those who register in advance. We look forward to seeing you there!  Contact the CTL (ctl@mtu.edu) with any questions.

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September 2023

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Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm

CTL Instructional Award Presentation

Curriculum Development and Assessment Award

Radheshyam Tewari, Associate Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Pasi Lautala, Professor, Civil, Environmental and Geospatial Engineering

Innovative or Out of Class Teaching Award

Elham Asgari, Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship
College of Business

Large Class Teaching Award

Tim Wagner, Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Click here to register to attend this lunch and learn.

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