Fostering AI Literacy for Students and Ourselves

This learning community is for A&S faculty and postdocs only.

“All assignments are now AI assignments. The best new assignments will develop both critical thinking and AI literacy skills” (Bowen & Watson, 2024, p. 198 of Teaching with AI)

As generative artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent and accessible, it is essential that educators possess the skills and knowledge to navigate AI in higher education and guide students in understanding and responsibly interacting with AI technologies.

This AI literacy faculty learning community will provide participants with early access to a new Open Educational Resource (OER) designed around an adapted AI literacy framework. The resource outlines essential AI competencies for both faculty and students and features interactive content, specific classroom examples, reflection questions, and hands-on activities. Throughout the semester, we will collaboratively develop our AI literacy, explore practical strategies for integrating AI literacy into course design, and identify approaches to foster equitable and inclusive learning environments where students gain both the skills and critical thinking needed to use AI effectively, responsibly, and ethically.

MEETING INFORMATION

The community will meet six times on Fridays from 2:00-3:30 pm during the spring semester. All meetings will be in person with light refreshments provided.

Our meetings will include discussion, hands-on activities, possible guest speakers, and the development of personalized course design/adaptation strategies. Meetings will be facilitated by Fang Yi, Assistant Director of Learning Design and Technology, and Jessica Taggart, Assistant Director in the Center for Teaching Excellence. Jess is a Co-Principal Investigator of a cross-institutional Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project on AI in teaching and learning, for which Fang leads a team focused on creating the OER used in this FLC.

RESEARCH AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

The OER for this FLC is being developed through the Virginia MegaSoTL project on Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning. As part of our project, “OER for Teaching with AI,” we aim to evaluate this OER. Within this FLC, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our research and earn a small stipend. Additional details about this research opportunity will be provided at the start of the FLC. You do not need to participate in the research study to participate in this FLC.

The FLC will also provide you the opportunity to work individually or in groups to develop a project focused on integrating AI literacy into your teaching. You will have access to personalized instructional design support and may be eligible for stipends or funding to acknowledge and incentivize your efforts. More details will be shared during the FLC.

ELIGIBILITY

Any A&S faculty member interested in integrating AI literacy into their teaching is encouraged to apply, including full-time and part-time faculty (tenured/tenure-track, AGFM), and postdocs. No prior experience with AI is required.

This learning community will be limited to 12 participants. If additional space becomes available, we will make it available to faculty from other schools.

EXPECTATIONS

You will be expected to commit to attending at least five of the six sessions and completing up to 2 hours of assigned learning content in advance of each meeting to enable full engagement in discussions and hands-on activities.

APPLICATION

The priority application deadline is Friday, December 20. Additional applications will be accepted as space allows. Applicants will be contacted soon thereafter.

SPONSORS

This program is organized with generous support from A&S Learning Design & Technology and Center for Teaching Excellence.