Sessions
If you have any questions about the conference, or need any additional information please reach out to our Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at citl@lamar.edu.
Practice and Reflection: Using GenAI to Facilitate Student Learning in Classrooms
by Qingjiang (Q.J.) Yao
Description: Since summer 2023, I have been using Gen AI such as ChatGPT, Google Bard (now Gemini), and Bing Chat (Microsoft Copilot) in several classes to help students learning. In these classes, I created and post weekly questions substantial and specific to the top of study for that week. Students ask this question to the Gen AI of their choice, post the Gen AI answer, and comment on it from several perspectives. Students' comments have revealed how Gen AI can help them in classroom learning. This presentation demonstrates my practice and analyzes the student comments to identify the ways that GenAI supported student learning. Related reflections of using GenAI in HigherEd classes are also discussed.
Nearpod: Making Connections through Content
by Diane Johnson
Description: Technology is at its finest when it is versatile, easy to use, and a time-saver. Its highest value comes in helping students internalize class content. Nearpod was created for k12 teachers; however, the versatility and ease of use of the website have allowed the idea of lecture notes to be transformed into digital lessons for face-to-face and online classes. Interactive features give instructors freedom and creativity while delivering the necessary content to meet objects and have students excel using technology with which they are comfortable. Students get to see their content and notes come to life with videos, virtual field trips, interactive games, quizzes, and much more.
AI in Academia: Handling Academic Honesty in the Age of Gen AI
by Ashley Dockens
Description: This 40-minute presentation explores the impact of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, on higher education. Designed for faculty across disciplines, it covers the current state of AI in academia, its benefits and risks, and ethical considerations. The talk provides practical strategies for maintaining academic integrity, detecting AI-generated content, and incorporating AI tools into curricula. Attendees will gain insights and best practices for dealing with the complexities of AI in education while preserving academic honesty.
Web Application - Cardinal Clarity: Algebra Edition
by Kye Kang and Prastuti Pokhrel
Description: First-year students often come to college algebra with misconceptions that hinder their success. Addressing these early is essential for improving their chances of success. Our presentation will demonstrate Cardinal Clarity: Algebra Edition, a web application designed to help incoming students identify and correct their algebra misconceptions before and during their first college math course.
AI and Tomorrow's Classroom: A Casual Conversation
by Glenn Allen Phillips
Description: This presentation explores the impact of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools on higher education, focusing on three key aspects: ethics, practicality, and necessity. We'll examine the ethical considerations surrounding AI use in academic settings, discuss practical applications and challenges, and analyze why understanding and integrating these technologies is crucial for our students and our institutions.
Milestone Badges: The Future of Micro-Credentialing at Lamar University
by Timothy Smith
Description: In this session, we will explore Lamar University's innovative new solution for micro-credentialing and badging - Milestone Badges. Participants will gain insight into the system's capabilities, our strategic plans for implementation, and how this cutting-edge approach will revolutionize the way we recognize and celebrate student achievements. Join us to understand the potential impact of Milestone Badges on our educational landscape and learn how it can enhance student engagement and showcase their skills in the modern academic environment.
Leveraging AI Tools for Ethical and Effective Academic Research
by Daryl Ann Borel
Description: In the contemporary landscape of academic research, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has become increasingly prevalent. These tools offer researchers unprecedented capabilities to generate research questions, locate and summarize articles, facilitate the literature review, optimize the research design, analyze data, and streamline the writing process. However, the effective utilization demands an understanding of both the potential benefits and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. This session will discuss ethical considerations and guide participants through integrating AI as a research assistant, from initial question development to the final recommendations.
Blackboard by Anthology: Managing Student in Blended & Hybrid Environments
by Justin Louder
Description: Present tools and workflows in Blackboard Ultra support learning in face-to-face and online environments. We will cover tool sets available to leadership, instructors, and students. We will highlight Blackboard’s capabilities in streamlining course management for face-to-face (F2F) faculty, focusing on grading, assessment, and assignment workflows to enhance instructional efficiency. We will also showcase practical use cases and real-world examples of how Blackboard’s tools have been successfully implemented in blended and hybrid learning environments, emphasizing their impact on time savings and faculty efficiency. And finally, we will explore pedagogical approaches that leverage Blackboard’s toolsets to enhance learning outcomes across diverse learning modalities, including F2F and online courses.
Using GenAI to Teach Non-Programmers to Code
by Dale Fontenot
Description: Using generative AI to teach non-programmers to code offers a transformative approach to education. Tools like GPT-4 and Codex simplify programming concepts, generate code snippets, and provide real-time feedback, making coding more accessible. AI creates interactive learning environments, simulates coding scenarios for hands-on practice, and adapts to individual learning paces. This personalized support helps non-programmers overcome challenges and builds confidence, making coding less intimidating and more engaging.
Accessible Design: A Proactive Approach to Course Design in Higher Education
by Ray Seiden
Description: In this session, we will be exploring the various forms that accessibility takes in higher education and breaking down the technology used by students with disabilities to access learning content. We will discuss some of the realities that students with disabilities face in higher education, define assistive technology and its common uses in the online class environment, and evaluate the benefits of an Accessible Design Approach to course development. Join us to discover the benefits of inclusive design and help make learning attainable for everyone.
AI in Course Design
by Laura Itzel Bernal Rios
Description: The rise of Artificial Intelligence has created both benefits and issues for education. In the administrative sense, it has affected academic honesty policies which, in turn, have modified the planning of assignments, assessments and other teaching practices. Therefore, in this presentation, I will argue that integration of AI is an ever-growing necessity for course development. Furthermore, I will elaborate on the application of AI for the creation of language acquisition courses to emphasize communication, as well as sociocultural and structural aspects of the target languages. Additionally, I will discuss the usage of AI as part of the curricula as a preventative measure to mitigate its use for plagiarism, by educating students regarding the “safe” use of auto generative platforms in the academic context at large.
Demystifying Outcomes & Objectives: From Theory to Practice
by Ibrahima Poda
Description: This session intends to be engaging via discussion. The participants will deconstruct the backward design process to unravel the importance of formulating objectives and outcomes in learning settings. Participants will learn key distinctions between these two concepts and how to effectively develop and implement them in teaching.
Concourse Syllabus 101
by Jennifer Page
Description: Creating a good syllabus is hard work. It takes time and effort to make a syllabus that’s user-friendly, accessible, and compliant, but Concourse makes it easier. Join Jennifer Page, an educator, instructional designer, and former Concourse admin, for a demonstration of how to use Concourse for effective syllabus design. In this session, Jennifer will show you how to use the Concourse editing interface to copy and create syllabus content to support student success and meet compliance requirements.
Unlocking Accessibility with Ally: Creating Accessible Content in Blackboard
by Ray Seiden
Description: In this session, we will be breaking down the basics of accessibility in higher education and exploring how the Ally tool in Blackboard can help participants create high quality accessible content for their blackboard courses. Join us to learn how to leverage technology to effortlessly improve learning materials and make learning attainable for everyone.