AI and the Learning Environment

AI and the Learning Environment Taskforce Report & Resources


In June 2024, the Artificial Intelligence and the Learning Environment 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


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 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.  

AI Teaching Fellows

College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Daniel Credeur

College of Arts & Science: Eric Parsons

Trulaske College of Business: Scott Christianson

College of Education & Human Development: Cynthia Dudenhoffer

College of Engineering: Yi Shang and Derek Anderson

Graduate School: Ashlie Lester

College of Health Sciences: Greg Cox

Honors College: Michelle Teti

Missouri School of Journalism: Gordon Dickson

School of Law: Jayne Woods

School of Medicine: Erika Boerman

Sinclair School of Nursing: Robert Bautista

College of Veterinary Medicine: Kevin Cummings

Libraries: Kimberly Moeller

 
Artificial Intelligence Standing Committee


The committee charge and members will be listed on the committee page when they are finalized.

Campus Resources for Instructors


 Teaching for Learning Center

Upcoming AI events for the spring 2025 semester include:

  • Small Teaching with AI, a series of panel sessions with the AI Teaching Fellows to showcase how they are integrating AI in their classes in meaningful and student-centered ways–stay tuned for more details.
  • See the Teaching for Learning events page for more information and to register for specific events.

Campus Writing Program
 
Missouri Online
  • Generative AI hub: A comprehensive resource for AI tools, guidelines and implementation, tailored for faculty and students. Links to the latest AI-related events and news across the UM System are also provided.
  • Generative AI events: Discover upcoming events, webinars and presentations focused on generative AI within the UM System.
  • Generative AI training library: Access a large suite of AI training, including short videos on AI basics, past and current AI webinar recordings and an AI cookbook with practical strategies for using generative AI in the classroom.
  • Generative AI for faculty: From the why to the how, this resource has everything you need to use and implement AI in the classroom, including syllabus suggestions, lesson plans and course prep, assignments and more.

Division of Information Technology

Find information about AI compliance policies and third-party tools on the DoIT AI webpage.

Libraries AI Guide

The libraries’ guide to AI resources and library workshops is located on this page.

Office of Academic Integrity

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

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