Don’t be scared of innovation! How dialogue and exploration of generative AI can open new opportunities to grow students and faculty

Concurrent Session 1

Brief Abstract

Using innovative pedagogical strategies can be a major shift in your teaching practice. Learn more about how to integrate Generative Artificial Intelligence into your curriculum to create learning opportunities for students to grow and apply their skills to real-world application. 

Participants will engage in large and small group discussions, as well as interacting with Generative Artificial Intelligence to accomplish tasks that will enhance their learning. 

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Lila Jordan, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Co-presenter: Claudia Arcolin, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Claudia Arcolin is the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning Experiences at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She is an enthusiast designer and learning architect. For The University of Texas at San Antonio she led the design of the core curriculum courses for the first online bachelor degree in Cyber Security and the first MOOC in Understanding Alzheimer: A Molecular and Genetic Approach. She also led pilot initiatives such as the Defining Moment, an interdisciplinary project that involved 11 instructors, 18 different courses and impacted more than 500 students, and the Innovation Academy targeted to faculty teaching in all modalities. She is leading the faculty professional development initiatives for generative AI and microcredentials. In addition to a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Education Sciences, she holds a doctorate in Cognition and Education Sciences from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.

Co-presenter: Marcela Ramirez, The University of Texas - San Antonio

Co-presenter: Melissa Vito, University of Texas at San Antonio

Melissa Vito has over 35 years of experience in public higher education. As Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), Melissa has transformed teaching and learning at UTSA, grown an infrastructure for fully online programs and created dynamic learning environments that prepare students to thrive in a world where digital literacy and fluency are required. She led the reorganization that brought together the areas of Teaching and Learning and Digital Learning into one area focused on modality-agnostic teaching, learning, and digital transformation. Under her leadership, UTSA Online, a fully-online university experience, climbed to the top 25% of all online U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Programs list in 2023. Melissa was instrumental in uniting UTSA and Adobe Creative Campus and creating a research project to measure the impact of curricular use of Adobe tools on student learning. Melissa and her team have also reimagined physical learning environments. Academic Innovation transformed over 60 classrooms and four outdoor learning spaces. The Educause Horizon Report in 2022 recognized UTSA’s dynamic approach to integrating collaborative academic technologies into classrooms and faculty training. Melissa envisioned and created the Academic Innovation Center (AIC), an incubator and community space that brings faculty, students, and teaching and learning specialists together to experiment with new ideas, encourage creativity and inspire transformative teaching. Melissa has enhanced student success by creating innovative faculty professional development programs and dedicating more than $1 million to faculty grants and incentives. Prior to UTSA, Melissa served as Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and Student Success at the University of Arizona (UA), retiring in July of 2018. During her UA career, she developed and launched UA’s online programs in 2015, and was recognized by UPCEA in 2019 for the Innovation in Transformation Award. She co-founded the Gender-Based Violence Center; co-coordinated efforts that led to UA’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution; envisioned and developed the Think Tank learning center; reimagined Career Services; and oversaw the development of the University’s first Veterans Center. Melissa’s vision to bring together all areas that impact student success resulted in the UA Student Success District, which opened in 2021. Melissa has consulted with large public universities and corporations on issues pertaining to higher education, fully online programs, leadership, crisis management, and faculty development. She speaks and writes frequently, including contributing to NASPA’s book Online & Engaged (March 2020) and From Grassroots to the Highly Orchestrated. Recognized nationally by NASPA as a Pillar of the Profession, she has also received the ACPA national award for Excellence in Practice, the National Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Kent Gardner Award for Excellence, is a member of the Online Learning Consortium Board of Directors and on faculty for Educause’s Digital Leaders Institute. At UA, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English and a master’s degree in Higher Education and Counseling. She has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University

Extended Abstract

nnovation is the guiding force behind educational growth, however, it can be challenging to change your approach to your teaching strategy or curriculum. By engaging in a discussion about the uses of Generative Artificial Intelligence, facilitated by pioneers in academic innovation, educators and administrators will explore how to engage students as a deeper level of understanding by incorporating Generative AI in the curriculum in various ways and enhancing the student experience. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Generative AI to build an innovative classroom experience for their students, allowing them to grow as learners, and provide them with the opportunity to experience real-world learning and skill application. 

  

The session will consist of small and large group discussion, exploration of emergent technologies in the context of the course curriculum, and analyzing existing assessment strategies to innovate the learning experience for students. 

  

Real examples from successful faculty members who have embraced innovative learning technology and how and why they applied this technology for student success will be provided and explained throughout the presentation, as well as the positive effects on student success and confidence as the result of applying emergent technologies to build student skills. 

 

The need for consistent application of innovative educational strategies and technologies are required to grow the educator and the learner and provide new opportunities for breakthroughs in learning for everyone involved in the learning process.