Our Center for Teaching and Learning led a comprehensive AI strategy across the campus and for faculty development with a stream of programs. Learn about our AI institute, professional certificate on generative AI, faculty workshops, faculty fellowships, policy, and online resources/templates.

The Mix of Fear and Excitement for Generative AI With the rise of Generative AI systems and platforms, universities can no longer get too comfortable. The complex issues surrounding generative AI in education are crucial and need to be carefully weighed on the benefits and challenges to make informed decisions about incorporating AI tools into the curriculum. Integrating generative AI in higher education has sparked mixed discussions about the potential gains and drawbacks of this technology. ​​Faculty members have both fears and excitement about Generative AI, depending on their background, experience, and level of familiarity with the technology. Excitement is linked to the benefits which include more personalized and efficient learning experiences, AI-assisted teaching and learning, and increased accessibility to well-synthesized information. One of the biggest benefits of Generative AI in education is the potential to enhance student learning outcomes by providing personalized learning experiences and real-time feedback. Generative AI can help faculty save time and streamline administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on teaching and research. Faculty may feel excited about the potential of Generative AI to prepare students for the job market by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to work in industries that use AI. Generative AI can provide opportunities for faculty to collaborate with colleagues and experts in other fields, leading to new research opportunities and interdisciplinary partnerships. Fears and challenges, on the other hand, center on privacy concerns, ethical considerations and the potential for AI systems to preserve existing biases. Faculty also think about how generative AI may drive the replacement of jobs, the increasing automation of education, and its potential for misuse. Faculty members who are not familiar with Generative AI may feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the technology, leading to a fear of not being able to keep up with advancements in the field. As a result, faculty may be resistant to embrace new technologies and teaching methods with AI, particularly worry about the technical challenges of using very new and evolving generative AI tools. Whether it be a mix of fears and excitement, the use of AI technology in education is rapidly evolving and is here to stay. Rapid Response Across the Campus From early 2023 to 2024, our Teaching and Learning Innovation Team at the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognized that we needed to adapt quickly to keep up with the latest developments and support faculty through their waves of uncertainty so that they can be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies in generative AI. Join this presentation to uncover how and why Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTL) must take on a primary leadership role in faculty development towards awareness, positive and ethical use of AI, and supporting the development of curricula that integrates AI pedagogy while driving student-centered learning approaches. We utilized a rapid response strategy to build and launch a stream of faculty development programs: 1. AI Institute: Convened the campus into a day-long conference. 2. Professional Certificate on Generative AI: Targeted a global audience. 3. Faculty Development Workshops: Focused on prompt engineering, student study skills, and writing skills in the age of AI. 4. Faculty Fellowship and Mentorship Program: Supported curriculum integration and research. 5. Online Resources and Templates: Aimed to support the knowledge base and development of AI skills. 6. Policy Revisions: Updated syllabus and communication guidelines Strategy to Support and Scale AI Across the Curriculum > Strategy 1: The Need for an AI Campus Strategic Framework Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTL) must take on a primary leadership role in faculty development towards raising awareness, positive and ethical use of AI, and supporting the development of curricula that integrate AI pedagogy while driving student-centered learning approaches. A culture of innovation motivates faculty to explore new teaching methods and incorporate AI technologies in the classroom. Faculty development in AI ensures that educators are prepared to teach students the skills and knowledge necessary for the workforce that are relevant to current and future skill sets. Being ahead of the curve can position your institution as an educational leader at your campus and in the field. > Strategy 2: The Need for Stakeholder Engagement Engaging stakeholders is crucial for the successful implementation of AI initiatives. Stakeholders include faculty, students, administrators, and industry partners. By involving these groups, CTLs can ensure that the AI initiatives align with the needs and goals of the entire academic community. This engagement fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration, which is vital for the sustainability of AI programs. > Strategy 3: The Need for Data Gathering and Feedback Strategic decisions were guided by early survey data, which reflected beginner (83%) and intermediate (17%) skill levels of faculty use of ChatGPT in teaching. This data informed the design and implementation of our programs, ensuring they met the actual needs and skill levels of the faculty. Regular feedback mechanisms allowed us to adjust our strategies and improve our offerings continuously. Our presentation will offer strategies to collect and analyze data about the campus and about faculty. Strategy 4: The Need for Policy Formulation Developing clear policies is essential to provide guidelines and frameworks for the ethical and effective use of AI in education. This includes policy revisions for syllabus and communication guidelines. Policies help in addressing concerns related to data privacy, intellectual property, and the ethical use of AI. Clear policies also support faculty in integrating AI into their teaching practices confidently and responsibly. We will share sample policies we have revised, or needed to revise this year. Presentation Engagement and Participation: 1. We invite participants into a guided, interactive conversation with visual facilitation through a digital whiteboard canvas to develop a concept map for faculty development and campus strategy. 2. We map out the types of stakeholder involvement needed to implement a successful AI strategy for the campus 3. We share our lessons learned as well as challenges and will have a large group discussion on the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for adopting a campus strategy. 4. Resources and toolkits will be shared to participants that they can use to implement faculty development programs at their institutions.