Generative A.I. (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Co-Pilot, etc.) is a type of artificial intelligence that has the capability to create surprisingly coherent text and images. These tools can write and converse with users by drawing on an enormous corpus of text from a variety of sources—including books, web texts, Wikipedia, articles, internet forums, and more—on which they have been trained. The wide availability of these tools has profound implications for how we approach reading and writing in our classrooms.
This faculty learning community offers an exciting opportunity to dive into the uses and abuses of artificial intelligence in higher education. Through this community, we’ll explore the possibilities that artificial intelligence opens up for new student learning activities and new instructor workflows. We will also investigate the academic integrity challenges posed by A.I.
Participating in this learning community means you’ll also benefit from a supportive network of peers who are navigating similar challenges and successes. Each session will include time for reflection, exchange of ideas, and developing actionable plans to incorporate A.I. in your teaching. Join us as we rethink our learning environments in light of this burgeoning technology.
Participants in this learning community will explore questions such as:
- How can A.I. tools be used to help students achieve course learning goals?
- How do we communicate with students when the use of A.I. tools is and isn’t appropriate?
- What do we need to do to prepare students for careers in work environments where A.I. tools are ubiquitous?
- What kinds of learning activities and assessments are aided by A.I. and what kinds are impeded?
- How can A.I. tools be used in ethical and equitable ways?
- At the institution level, what policy elements would you like to see Temple incorporate into a formal policy for AI use?
Throughout the semester, faculty will develop learning activities, assignments, and revised course plans to implement in the Fall of 2026. Regular meetings will include readings, discussions, collaborative working sessions, and hands-on workshops. The faculty learning community will decide as a group how best to use the expertise they gain in order to support the Temple faculty community at large.
Facilitators
- Jennifer Zaylea, Digital Media Specialist
- Jeff Rients, Associate Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation
What is a Faculty Learning Community?
A faculty learning community is a cross-disciplinary group of faculty who work together over an extended period of time to explore a specific topic related to their professional teaching practice. In this supportive environment, faculty explore best practices, engage in deep discussion about the topic and then share their work with the faculty community at large so as to support their colleagues in this area.
Faculty commit to:
- Attend meetings online via Zoom Mondays from 9:00 - 10:30 am on the following dates:
- February 9
- February 23
- March 9
- March 23
- April 13
- April 27.
- Complete any assigned readings, activities, and assignments between meetings.
- With the cohort, share the expertise gained in the faculty learning community with a larger faculty audience. This may include giving a presentation, providing resource materials on the topic, publishing the findings of the work, or other methods agreed upon.
- Develop a new way of using A.I. to support student learning or instructor prep. Your write-up of this item will be made available on the CAT website.
Benefits:
- Enhance understanding of the role of A.I. in the classroom..
- Develop new activities and materials that enhance student learning.
- Network with an interdisciplinary group of colleagues.
- Receive a $500 stipend paid at the completion of the program.
To Apply:
Please respond to each of the following questions in no more than 250 words per question.
- Give an example of a learning activity or pedagogical strategy you regularly use with students.
- Describe your current thoughts about the challenges posed by assessment in general and/or how it currently plays out in your classes.
- Have you or a colleague you know used an artificial intelligence tool in the past? If so, describe the use and how it worked out.
- Overall, what do you hope to gain as a result of your participation in this faculty learning community?
Save your application as a Word document or PDF file, and then submit your application online. The deadline for submissions is November 24, 2055.
Questions?
Email Jeff Rients at [click-for-email].
