Learning should be a social experience, so let's talk about the social health and wellbeing of the classroom! How does teaching online isolate us? How can AI help or hurt the social experience?

In this episode of 'AI Goes to College,' host Professor Sarah Stuart is joined by renowned author, educator, and speaker Flower Darby. They discuss the influence of AI on social and mental health, the importance of human connection in teaching, and the balance between technology and traditional educational values. Flower shares practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching while maintaining empathy and emotional presence.

Flower's Bio and Books:

Flower Darby celebrates and promotes effective teaching in all modalities to advance equitable learning outcomes for all students. She's an Associate Director of the Teaching for Learning Center at the University of Missouri. Prior to that, she held roles such as Assistant Dean of Online and Innovative Pedagogies and Director of Teaching for Student Success. These roles have allowed her to build on her experience teaching in person and online for over 28 years in a range of subjects including English, Technology, Education, Leadership, Dance, and Pilates. In her current work and publications, Darby empowers faculty to teach inclusive and equity-focused classes in all modalities. Her recent books include The Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching (2023) and Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes (2019), and she's an internationally sought-after keynote speaker.

References:

Link to Book by Bowen and Watson: Teaching with AI by Jose Bowen and C. Edward Watson

Link to Webinars: Alchemy Webinars

In this episode of AI Goes to College, we welcome Laura Dumin, a leader in equitable higher education, as she shares her insights into the transformative role of AI in the classroom. Join Professor Sarah Stuart, host and co-creator of AI Goes to College, in conversation with Laura. AI Goes to College is a program created in collaboration with the Digital Media Department at FSCJ and hosted by the AI Advisory Council.

Laura is the AI Coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma where she also serves as a faculty member and award-winning educator. She's becoming known for speaking up about AI in the classroom through her writing and as a spokesperson. Her articles explore AI's impact on education, covering topics such as AI-enhanced learning tools and the ethical dilemmas educators face as AI becomes more integrated into the classroom, encouraging both educators and students to think critically about AI’s potential. Laura regularly participates in podcasts and webinars, sharing best practices and discussing the challenges and responsibilities AI brings to higher education. She also leads the Facebook group Higher Ed Discussions of AI Writing and Use, where educators come together to discuss the latest AI developments and share strategies for its responsible use in academic settings. In addition, Laura's interviews showcase her advocacy for responsible AI usage and emphasize the importance of preparing future generations for an AI-integrated world.

In this episode, she shares her latest projects that are pushing the boundaries of AI content creation while contributing to ongoing dialogues on AI ethics, accessibility, and the future of technology in education. For listeners interested in further reading, Laura recommends Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines, a thought-provoking exploration of AI’s societal implications by Joy Buolamwini.

Tune in for this engaging conversation with Laura Dumin, and learn how AI can be a powerful tool for positive change in academia when used thoughtfully and ethically.

References mentioned:

• Laura's writing and resources Website
• Higher Ed Discussions of AI Writing and Use Facebook Group
• UnMasking AI by Joy Buolamwini Book
• Her (2013); Spike Jonze
• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (film, 2013 Gavin Hood)
• Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro