AI and the Learning Environment

In the spring 2024 semester, the Provost charged tri-chairs of an “Artificial Intelligence and the Learning Environment Taskforce” to create a working group to research and make recommendations on the following three areas: 1) pedagogy, 2) learning, and 3) ethics. Tori Mondelli (Director, Teaching for Learning Center), Enid Schatz (Associate Dean, Graduate School), and Ben Trachtenberg (Director, Office of Academic Integrity), served as tri-chairs. They worked with the Office of the Provost and Faculty Council to identify potential members.

AI and the Learning Environment Taskforce Report & Resources

In June 2024, the taskforce submitted a report with recommendations to the Office of the Provost. The report outlines how they gathered input from across campus, consulted with AI experts, and analyzed industry best practices to create a roadmap for MU to become an “AI forward” institution. The report lists the names of the taskforce members and offers recommendations on potential policies and practices our campus should consider in relation to generative AI (Gen AI) and the learning environment.

Click here to access the report.

The appendices of the report have numerous resources for instructors to use in crafting syllabi statements and assignment guidelines in relation to Gen AI.

2024-2025 Priorities

The Office of the Provost is moving forward the following for fall 2024 semester:

AI Syllabus Statements: A primary point of emphasis is to embrace the fact that generative AI is something that we all must consider in our classroom environments. Click here for syllabus statement examples that encompass a continuum from no acceptable use of generative AI to fully integrating generative AI into course activities. Provost Martens strongly recommends that all instructors adopt a syllabus statement related to acceptable use of Gen AI in each of their courses, considering factors like relevancy of AI to course objectives and ability to incorporate generative AI into course assignments.

The Provost also encourages all instructors, on the first day of class, to discuss expectations and class policies regarding the use of generative AI in their course. Doing so will help students be aware of authorized versus unauthorized use of AI within the class, which aligns with university policies regarding standards of conduct (see section C-1-c within CRR 200.010).

Information Technology: Another priority Provost Martens will focus on is working with Ben Canlas, UM System vice president for information technology and chief information officer, and other leaders in IT to ensure that our technical and policy infrastructure are aligned with the work of our faculty, staff and students. At this time, the university supports responsible experimentation with and use of Generative AI (GAI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Google Bard, but there are important considerations to keep in mind when using these tools, including information security, data privacy, compliance, intellectual property, copyright implications, academic integrity and bias. In particular, student data should not be entered into generative AI tools, and we strongly encourage you to not enter personal information into such tools. Included here are some AI Guidelines established by IT.

Instructor Professional Development: Finally, the report makes several recommendations intended to support faculty competency with generative AI tools that can boost productivity, improve pedagogy, and enhance the student experience. Provost Martens will work closely with academic leaders across campus to determine programming needs, support structures, and additional resources for faculty in the AI space. As an initial step in this process, he has asked each dean to identify a faculty member to serve as an AI Teaching Fellow for the upcoming academic year, who will be supported with funds from the Provost’s office. These fellows will serve as sources of support and expertise within their colleges, while also working across campus on AI-related teaching initiatives.

Other recommendations from the report will take more time and people to create policies and provide infrastructure and resources. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Office of the Provost will work with various units and expertise on campus to continue this work.

Campus Resources for Instructors

Teaching for Learning Center

AI Lunch and Learning Labs: Join us for AI Lunch and Learning Labs in 2024. You’ll gain hands-on experience test driving GenAI tools for teaching, learning, and just in general. This beginner-level experience enables you to explore AI in a supportive and collegial environment with light facilitation and consultation. Plus, we’ll provide lunch! A small stipend is available for eligible participants who attend 6 sessions prior to the end of December 2024.

Teaching with AI in the SEC: Teaching with AI in the SEC: Ready to learn more about teaching with AI? Do you need a flexible yet structured experience to help you do so? If so, register for our upcoming asynchronous online course, Teaching with AI in the SEC. Over 100 MU educators benefited from this course last year; engage in this year’s improved and updated offering! This 10-week, self-paced, facilitated course runs from September 9th – November 10th. Complete course activities on your own time and take advantage of a weekly synchronous Zoom drop-in hour to support your individual learning. Eligible faculty who complete the course will receive a taxable $350 stipend. Registration is limited.

Emerging Teaching Tips from MU’s AI & the Learning Environment Task Force Report: Members of the MU Task Force for AI & the Learning Environment learned many things in their research and writing process. Join members of the group to discuss some of the emerging teaching tips they discovered and recommend. Free copies of the acclaimed book, Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning, by Jose Bowen and C. Edward Watson will be distributed. Box lunches provided.

Campus Writing Program

AI Writing Resources: As ChatGPT and other AI writing tools evolve, a focus on the connection between writing and learning becomes even more crucial. Access CWP’s recommendations for AI use in WI courses as well as sample syllabus statements.

Writing Matters: Motivating Students in an AI-Enhanced: In this short workshop, we will explore evidence-based ways for you to motivate your writing intensive students. Motivated students rarely struggle with academic integrity issues because they recognize the value of producing their own writing. We will share practical tips that encourage honesty and creativity in today’s digital age.

AI in WI #1: Understanding the Current State of AI. In this session, we’ll share updates about the ever-evolving AI landscape. Specifically, we’ll report up-to-date information concerning the functionality and application of AI tools in the writing classroom.

AI in WI #2: Navigating Students’ Use of AI/ChatGPT to Support Critical Thinking. In this session, we’ll discuss ways college students engage with Generative AI (ChatGPT, BingAI, etc) and consider how to adapt WI assignments to foreground the critical thinking that can’t be outsourced to AI programs.

AI in WI #3: Teaching Writing with ChatGPT. In this session, we’ll share strategies for productive use of AI tools (ChatGPT, BingAI, etc) to enrich Writing Intensive teaching and learning. Join us to explore ways to engage GenAI in developing learning outcomes, creating student models, and analyzing formative assessments.

Missouri Online

AI Trainings: Learn how to get started with Canvas, learn about AI, engage your students with communication tools and more.

Generative AI Knowledge Base: Generative AI | Missouri Online: Teaching

AI Resources: A comprehensive collection of tools, articles, guidelines and resources on generative AI.

Blog post: Read our perspective on Teaching in the time of AI on our teaching blog.

Office of Academic Integrity

ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, and Academic Integrity page on the Office of Academic Integrity website.

Questions about Gen AI in relation to the learning environment, please reach out to Associate Provost for Academic Programs, Brian Houston