GenAI Works in Progress: Embracing Experimentation with Generative AI in Teaching and Learning

Moderator: Victoria Sheldon, Faculty Liaison Coordinator, Generative AI Pedagogies, CTSI

Panelists: 
Sophia Bello, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, French, Faculty of Arts & Science 
Danielle Goldfarb, Senior Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, Lecturer, Master of Global Affairs program 
Kenneth Yip, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Cell and Systems Biology, Faculty of Arts & Science 

Join us for an engaging and interdisciplinary panel discussion focused on the theme of experimentation and fostering supportive environments for learning. Working with new, challenging material can invoke anxiety in students, hindering their ability to engage critically with material. As educators, we often face the dual challenge of embracing innovative technologies while managing the anxiety that accompanies their adoption in the learning process. This workshop aims to shift the narrative from anxiety to curiosity, encouraging students to foster a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. 

Key Themes: 

Experimentation as a Learning Tool: Discover how adopting an experimental approach can transform the integration of Generative AI into your curriculum. Learn from faculty who have successfully navigated this journey, sharing their experiences, successes, and lessons learned. 

Addressing Anxiety: Acknowledge and address the common anxieties associated with both new technology adoption and the ongoing process of learning Consider ways to support digital literacies, while promoting a supportive environment for both educators and students. 

Iterative Learning: Emphasize the importance of iterative learning—experimenting, reflecting, and adjusting. Understand how this cycle can lead to more effective learning and innovative teaching practices. 

Collaborative Exploration: Engage in discussions about collaborative exploration, where faculty and students work together to explore the potentials and limitations of generative AI. This collaborative spirit can enhance the learning experience and build a community of practice. 

During this panel, participants will: 

• Explore practical strategies for integrating generative AI into your teaching from the teaching and learning community. 
• Consider techniques to manage and mitigate anxiety related to learning and new technology adoption. 
• Discuss insights into the iterative process of learning and adapting. 

Join us for an informal conversation designed to unpack the inherent anxieties that come with new technology adoption and inspire you to consider an experimental approach to teaching with generative AI. 

The GenAI Works in Progress Series 

This is a CTSI/DLI programming effort designed to encourage an ongoing, open institutional-level conversation about generative AI in teaching and learning and to create a space for experimentation, sharing and problem-solving. These one-hour presentations will be targeted towards a broad teaching and learning audience where presenters can share current questions, ideas, inquiries or works in progress with a community of peers. Understanding that many of us are still in the early stages of navigating the realm of generative AI, we want to emphasize that these sessions are not intended to showcase definitive answers or practices, rather we are interested in the questions, challenges and learning currently being explored.