If you’ve been fretting that your students know more about AI than you do, worry no more. CIE has scheduled two hands-on workshops for early 2025 to bring you up to speed on AI basics. Regardless of your opinion on AI, it’s important to have an understanding of what this technology can and cannot do. 

• On January 17, we will have a special Coffee Club in the computer lab to experiment with prompts and different AI programs. We’re asking faculty members who are AI-experienced to serve as coaches. We’ll meet from 10-11:30 in Scholars Hall 206. Coffee and donuts, yes. 

• On February 7, our Friday Forum will be devoted to another workshop, this time focusing on how you can use AI to help you with course prep and other professional work. Again, we’re asking faculty who use AI in a professional capacity to serve as coaches. We’ll meet in TJNIC 104/05 from 12:30-2. Please bring your laptop. 

• Contact jlively@nmc.edu to volunteer as a coach!

In the meantime, CIE recommends that you consult with your chair to prepare AI policies for your syllabi. It’s important that we make our expectations clear to students. One option is to make a general statement about AI, but indicate that you will include AI parameters for each assignment. That approach gives you flexibility and teaches students that appropriate AI use is always contextual. 

And if you get a chance over break, here are a couple of articles from a Substack writer who I follow. The author, associate professor at the U Penn Wharton School, explains the technology in simple terms with a relatively neutral stance.  

• Thinking Like an AI – by Ethan Mollick – One Useful Thing
• Good Enough Prompting – By Ethan Mollick – One Useful Thing

You’ll find more articles at Generative Artificial Intelligence | NMC’s Center for Teaching and Learning.

Finally, we can report that NMC will soon be convening a working group to look at AI policies across departments. You can send comments and suggestions my way.