Category Archives: For Staff

Introduction to Artificial Generative Intelligence Workshop Summary

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Thank you to all who attended our Introduction to Artificial Generative Intelligence workshops! In case you missed our introductory sessions, below is a review of the critical information and resources: 

Key Takeaways

  1. AGI is a handy tool ​with the potential for both constructive and destructive applications ​
    • “Pre-trained Generative Transformer” – a predictive language model that is modeled after how we speak that can create media at scale
    • The tool is morally neutral; how we choose to employ it is the crux of the issue
      • AGI platform companies are rushing to monetize their products; expect AGI to continue to spread throughout daily life as the tools continue to be refined and improved (and eventually moved behind paywalls) 
  1. AGI has a place in the learning process through thoughtful integration ​
    • Education and regulation​ will help combat the misuse of AGI
      • Communicate course expectations and provide context to students
    • Detection option on campus: Turnitin (Canvas Integration) 
    • Privacy and security risks – any information that should not be publicly shared on the internet should not entered into any AGI platform
    • AGI offers opportunities to improve the student (and instructor!) experience
      • Equity, accessibility, and creativity

Supplemental Resources: 

  1. Presentation Slide Deck 
  2. Recording of the First Session
  3. UWW Syllabus Language Resource
  4. AI Citation Guide

Additional LTC Workshops

Awareness and Detection of AI

  • Wednesday, September 13; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Friday, September 15; 10:15 – 11:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Tuesday, September 19, 8:15 am – 9:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 

Incorporating AI into your Assessments 

  • Wednesday, September 27; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Friday, October 13; 10:15 am – 11:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 

Use Cases and Opportunities for AI

  • Wednesday, October 18; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid

 Ethics and Limitations of AI

  • Wednesday, October 25; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid

For full descriptions of each workshop, please visit our previous post.

More AI Learning Opportunities this Fall!

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The University of Wisconsin System’s Office of Professional and Instructional Development (OPID) is hosting a webinar series on artificial intelligence. The series is open to systemwide faculty and instructors and will consist of four 90-minute livestreams via Zoom. Be sure to register to attend the sessions and to receive access to recordings!

Integrating Gen AI into Your Teaching – Wednesday, September 13th at 12 p.m. – Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph. D, University of Calgary

Dr. Eaton presents a thought-provoking look at current and upcoming issues related to the use of generative AI tools for teaching, learning, and assessment, focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). She will share practical ways to actively explore Chat GPT and other AI apps, integrating them in your teaching and learning, and communicating with students about our AI world. 

Redesigning Assignments – Wednesday, September 28th at 12 p.m. – Dr. Tricia Bertram Gallant, Ph. D, University of California- San Diego

In this talk, Dr. Bertram Gallant will help us move past the fear and anxieties created by Gen AI and towards the creative possibilities for teaching, learning and assessment. Attendees should come to this talk prepared to work on one course syllabus and one assessment prompt (from the same course), and to leave with at least three concrete ideas for how they will modify their teaching practice to better assure integrity in a Gen AI world. 

Example Artificial Generative Intelligence (AGI) Syllabus Language Resource and Detection Demonstration

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a college professor lectures in front of a projector screen on the first day of classes
Associate Professor Matthew Winden begins his business statistics class in Hyland Hall. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to supporting faculty and staff as the higher education landscape evolves in the age of AGI. Questions continue to mount regarding AGI and academic integrity, particularly with regard to detection options and classroom policies. The LTC has drafted an example of appropriate syllabus language addressing the use of AGI in assignments and other course work. The language is optional and designed to give instructors the flexibility in determining how AGI may, or may not, fit into their course. 

The sample language can be found in the AI Syllabus Resource Knowledge Base (KB) article. Additional open source syllabus language resources include Classroom Policies for AI Generative Tools and the AI Policy Hub at UC-Berkeley.

For those interested in an AGI detection demonstration, IT Services’ annual Technology Open House on August 30th (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in McGraw Hall), will feature an overview of the Turnitin detection software built into Canvas at 3:15 p.m. Other offerings include a general AI demonstration at 2:45 p.m. and a wide range of helpful technology resources on many topics throughout the afternoon. (Plus free food and prizes!) 

The LTC is also hosting a series of workshops over the fall semester, including one on AI Detection and Awareness. 

If you have any other AGI-related inquiries, or would like a personal or group consultation related to AGI, please contact the Learning Technology Center.

Elevate Your Canvas Courses with the NEW Foundations of Course Design in Canvas (FCDC)!

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Cheerful multiethnic students having high five with teacher
Pexels – Kampus Production

Elevate your teaching game with the all-new self-paced Fundamentals of Course Design in Canvas (FCDC) course! Perfect for educators new to teaching, new to Canvas, or those seeking a refreshing update to Canvas design.

A refreshed and redesigned version of the Online and Blended Teaching Institute (OBTI), FCDC is focused on building the skills and knowledge needed to create authentic, approachable Canvas courses. 

What will you learn?

  1. Design Brilliance: Craft engaging Canvas materials that captivate learners. Build your own interactive content by the end of the course that can be taken with you as a template for your own courses!
  2. Classroom Mastery: Unlock communication techniques, time-saving strategies, and collaboration tools for seamless canvas courses.
  3. Assessment Expertise: Discover diverse assessment tactics and timely feedback approaches, aligned with academic integrity.
  4. Engage and Collaborate: Transform courses into interactive hubs with multimedia, forums, and peer activities that enhance learning.
  5. Inclusivity and Success: Empower all students with inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environments.

Benefits:

  • Self-paced freedom: learn on your schedule, from anywhere
  • Expert insights: gain from experienced educators’ expertise featuring your  UW-Whitewater colleagues’ insights!
  • Interactive learning: experience the technology that brings courses to life

Supercharge your teaching prowess! Contact Ted Witt at wittt@uww.edu to enroll or for more information. 

Welcome Back Workshops with the LTC!

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The August sunshine in Whitewater brings both warm days and the return to campus! The LTC is excited to welcome back our instructional community and have prepared a slew of workshop offerings to make the start of the semester seamless. 

Browse Our Training Calendar

Canvas Sessions

Whether you are building your first or last Canvas course, the LTC has training for all! *Please note the Canvas and Technology Open Lab is on the UW-Whitewater Rock County campus.

TitleDateTimeLocation
Canvas RefresherWednesday, August 23rd2 to 3 pmMcGraw 19c
Canvas Introduction Thursday, August 24th9 to 10 amMcGraw 19c
Canvas and Technology Open Lab Thursday, August 24th2 to 3 pm*UW Rock Allen Hall 03/04
Course Design and Open LabFriday, August 25th9 am to 12 pmWebex
Using Canvas as Grading FeedbackFriday, August 25th10 to 11 amMcGraw 19c
Course Design and Open LabFriday, September 1st1 to 4 pmWebex

Artificial Generative Intelligence Sessions

Explore the basics of AI and get caught up on recent updates at Introduction to Artificial Generative Intelligence on August 31st; 3 to 4:30 pm in McGraw 19A / Hybrid.

Register for Intro to AGI

Campus Technology Sessions

The goal of these sessions is to familiarize attendees with campus technology tools and support services. Please note: “Campus and Instructional Tech for Instructors” is aimed at instructors, but will cover the same content as “Campus Technology: Resources to help you succeed”. 

TitleDateTimeLocation
Campus and Instructional Tech for InstructorsMonday, August 28th 10:45 am to 12 pmMcGraw 117
Campus Technology: Resources to Help You Succeed Friday, September 1st 9 to 10 amMcGraw 19A / Hybrid 

Technology Open House

Hosted by IT Services, Technology Open House (TOH), held on Wednesday, August 30th; 1 – 4 pm in McGraw Hall, instructors, staff, and students can learn about technology tools, services, and resources designed to help everyone succeed at UW-Whitewater! Anyone who attends TOH will receive an early access pass to the next Technology Surplus Sale! Register below to be entered into the raffle drawing!

Register for TOH

Don’t see what you are looking for? Reach out directly to the LTC or request a consultation. A full list of Welcome Back Week Events can be found in the UW-Whitewater Events Calendar. 

The Frontiers of Artificial Generative Intelligence – Fall Workshops

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As summer draws to a close, the astonishing pace of artificial generative intelligence (AGI) is continuing to increase. The conversation around AGI has continued to bounce between excitement at potential opportunities to hesitancy about misuse in assignments and assessments to uncertainty about the effects on higher education over the long term. The LTC has monitored these conversations and is pleased to offer a series of workshops over the course of the fall semester to give instructors reliable information, guidance on resources and privacy, training on AGI applications, and provide an opportunity to explore the benefits and challenges with AGI. 

As always, if you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to the LTC directly or request a consultation. 

The sessions, while interrelated, are not serial; it is encouraged to attend as many, or as few sessions, as you are able! If you are unfamiliar with AGI, we recommend attending the introductory session first. Subsequent sessions can be attended in any order. Sessions of the same topic will cover the same material, but may vary, like “Incorporating AI into Assessments”, which uses real time examples from participants and thus will be slightly different each time! All of our sessions will be offered in a hybrid format and sessions will be recorded. Come back here to find links to recorded sessions or visit our On-Demand Video Library! 

Introduction to Artificial Generative Intelligence 

  • Thursday, August 31; 3:00 – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid
  • Wednesday, September 6; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Tuesday, September 12; 8:15 am – 9:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid

This introductory session explores the state of AI in higher education and will explain what AGI is, discuss its opportunities and limitations, and demonstrate how to use it. If you are interested in what tools are currently available and what to expect, this workshop is for you!

Register for Intro to AGI

Awareness and Detection of AI

  • Wednesday, September 13; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Friday, September 15; 10:15 – 11:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Tuesday, September 19, 8:15 am – 9:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 

This intermediate session delves into detection methods for identifying text authored using AI. We will showcase tools presently accessible on campus, explore their accuracy and potential applications, and delve into the ethical considerations tied to these detection options. If you are interested in helping identify what might be AI generated, this workshop is for you!

Register for Awareness and Detection

Incorporating AI into your Assessments 

  • Wednesday, September 27; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid 
  • Friday, October 13; 10:15 am – 11:30 am McGraw 19A / Hybrid 

This intermediate session explores how AI can be used to help generate assignments and quiz questions. We will explore hands-on ways to streamline your preparation process, enhance your learning objectives, and generate more AI proof activities! If you are interested in your first steps toward using AI to reduce your instructor workload and how to craft effective prompts this workshop is for you!

Register for AI and Assessments

Use Cases and Opportunities for AI

  • Wednesday, October 18; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid

This advanced session explores how to use ChatGPT to streamline your classroom prep, reduce instructor workload, and enhance student learning objectives, assessments, and assignments. It features practical demonstrations with real-life examples from various courses such as business and as provided by you! If you are willing to take the plunge and embrace AI in the college classroom, this workshop is for you!

Register for AI Use Cases

 Ethics and Limitations of AI

  • Wednesday, October 25; 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm McGraw 19A / Hybrid

This advanced session offers the opportunity to discuss more of the concerns and limitations of AI. We will look at three concerns: privacy and surveillance; bias and discrimination; and the role of human judgment. If you are interested in the moral, social, political, and pedagogical implications of AI in college courses, this workshop is for you.

Register for Ethics and Limitations

2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium Recipient – Lori Trimble!

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The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium is awarded to an instructor demonstrating marked integration of technology into their teaching to mitigate common challenges and enhance student learning. 

Lori Trimble, lecturer of biology and chemistry, was named the 2023 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium recipient. Congratulations, Lori!

Award recipient Lori Trimble giving her presentation, “Leveraging a Variety of Technology Tools to Help Students”.

The LTC would like to congratulate the other outstanding finalists, Brian Schanen, Dr. Courtney Powers, Dr. Jeanine Rowe, and Linda Amann for their exceptional work demonstrating technological innovation and creativity in the classroom. Thank you for your continued dedication to UW-Whitewater students!

Each finalist presented their technology innovations at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning conference on May 17th. This award is sponsored by Presidio and Cisco Systems in conjunction with ICIT and the LTC. Presidio and Cisco are proud of their work with institutions of higher education to inspire learning and connect campuses to enhance student outcomes. ICIT and the LTC are dedicated to working with instructors to understand teaching challenges, explore solutions, implement strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness.

Brian Schanen, lecturer of communication, delivered his presentation, “The Attendance Conundrum”
Dr. Courtney Powers, assistant professor of communication, gave her presentation, “Fostering Connections through an Innovative Teamwork Model”. 
Dr. Jeannine Rowe, professor of social work, discussed, “Impact beyond Walls: Using Technology to Connect Students to the Community”
Linda Amann, lecturer of information technology and supply chain management, presented, “Interactive & Accessible Canvas: Learning in Action-Based Tasks”.

 

Navigating the Frontiers of Artificial Generative Intelligence: Updates, Workshops, and Transformations at UW-Whitewater

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In an era where innovation propels us forward at an astonishing pace, staying up to date with the latest advancements can be a challenge. To help, the LTC has summarized some of the recent updates related to artificial generative intelligence (AGI). 

General AI Updates

Key updates include the release of ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google’s AGI, Bard. Tech companies are expected to continue ferociously to compete, with the AI landscape likely evolving by the Fall 2023 semester.

Incorporating AI into Assessments – UWW Event Recap

The LTC conducted a workshop on April 24th called “Incorporating AI into Assessments.” The workshop aimed to demonstrate how ChatGPT can be utilized to streamline the process, reduce instructor workload, and enhance learning objectives, assessments, and assignments. Led by Ted Witt and Ravneet Kaur, the LTC team guided instructors in real-time usage of ChatGPT, featuring practical demonstrations with real-life examples from various courses such as business, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The workshop also delved into the art of crafting effective prompts.

How ChatGPT and AI are Transforming Academia – UW System Event Recap

The UW System Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC) hosted two panel discussions on April 18th, 2023 centering on how AI is transforming education from both the student and instructor perspectives. 

Watch the Student Panel to discuss how students are already using AI, including the benefits and potential pitfalls in and out of the classroom. Watch the Instructor Panel to explore how fellow instructors have already begun to incorporate AI into their courses and how it can be leveraged for future use. 

TurnItIn Update

TurnItIn has launched an AI generated content detection feature on April 4th, 2023. It is integrated with the Similarity Report to show an overall percentage of the document that was likely AI generated. It is currently available to UW-Whitewater users. 

A few key points regarding the AI detection feature: 

  1. Text that is flagged is 98% certain to be generated by AGI
  2. False positives have been reported both by users and TurnItIn
  3. Only instructors can see the AI detection indicator 

Further Reading

The LTC has curated a set of resources, including webinars, policy examples, and options to incorporate AI into the classroom. Have specific questions? Reach out to the LTC!

Second Call for Summer 2023 OBTI Applicants!

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Are you interested in enhancing or refreshing your online teaching skills?

Lecturer of Management Emily Iverson records her opening statements for the spring semester in her online business writing course. Lectures for the course are recorded in a studio at the Online Learning and Technology Center in Hyland Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

The Summer 2023 Online and Blended Teaching Institute (OBTI) is now accepting applications from UW-Whitewater faculty and academic staff who want to develop and refine their online and blended teaching strategies.

This institute is designed to help you create engaging and effective online courses, while also providing you with the opportunity to collaborate and network with other instructors across UWW. Trainings will run from July 10th to July 24th, and will consist of a series of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including webinars, online discussions, and hands-on activities. More detailed information and full schedule available here. 

For application information, submission, and any other inquiries, email Ted Witt at wittt@uww.edu by May 19th! Don’t delay!

Rescheduled! Incorporating AI Into Assessments Workshop

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As campus and some of the city of Whitewater has no power, we are regrettably rescheduling our Incorporating AI into Assessments Workshop, originally planned for today, April 19th at 3:30pm. 


We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We have rescheduled the workshop for Monday, April 24th at 3:30pm in McGraw 19A or Webex. If you have already registered, the Webex link will remain the same. If you weren’t able to attend, now is your chance – register here! As before, the workshop will be recorded for those unable to attend. 


Thank you for your understanding – we hope you are able to join us for the rescheduled workshop. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us at ltc@uww.edu.