Houston, we have… a great math conference! Our very own Tony Jenkins, Deb Pharo, Becca Richardson, and Jim Nelson recently returned from the 2026 International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM) in Houston, Texas. Between exploring the latest digital pedagogical tools and networking with global educators, the team also made sure Swoop didn’t miss out on the fun. This trip marked Swoop’s third visit to the Bayou City this year—they are now a certified frequent flyer! Keep reading to see the team and Swoop in action and to read faculty reflections on the conference.

What was the name of the conference/PD opportunity you attended?

International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM)

When and where did the event take place?

Houston, TX, March 5-7 2026

Please share details from a memorable keynote speaker, conference session, or something else notable from the event.

Jim: As expected for a conference that emphasizes technology, a large number of the sessions were about the use of AI, including 1 of the keynotes. Instead of it being an unknown and mysterious specter, we have had time to become familiar with it, and many presenters were able to share how they were using it to increase their productivity and to generate quality materials for their classes. Others dealt with concerns about its use, and how to produce AI-resistant problems and assignments.

Deb: The second keynote speaker is doing great research on using AI to grade effectively.

Tony: One session I found particularly interesting was by Brian Rickard from the University of Arkansas. He spoke on using AI to help write math projects for students. He demonstrated how he formulates prompts that yield the type of project desired with over the desired set of topics and taking the planned length of time. These projects are done in groups in class, and I like the idea of using Gemini to help me develop new projects to use in class for several of my classes.

Becca: Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar was the featured speaker for the National Space Society. She spoke about the future of human space settlement and the technical challenges of long-duration missions. Her main idea is that technology should be designed around the human body’s capabilities and limitations. She thinks we can integrate technology to create better-fitting spacesuits, helping to mitigate the physical challenges that long-duration missions pose to the body.

How likely are you to recommend this opportunity to a colleague?

Jim: Very Likely
Deb: Likely
Tony: Likely
Becca: Very Likely

Do you have any big takeaways that you’ll be applying to your pedagogy in the near future?

Jim: The importance of “prompt engineering” to get the most quality and relevance from AI chatbot interaction, and new ways to use AI for content generation.

Deb: Probably not right away. I learned about some very intriguing uses of AI.

Tony: Many sessions that I attended were on the use of AI. I attended sessions that discussed using AI to help the instructor (me), and some sessions on student use of AI. I have tended to stay a bit at arms length with regards to using AI, but will use information from these sessions (as well as our in house PD) to more effectively use AI in positive way for both me and my students.

Becca: This conference focused heavily on technology rather than pedagogy, but I walked away with a massive practical application for my classes. My biggest takeaway was learning that I can create and embed a custom chatbot directly into Canvas. I can “feed” this bot specific course materials to ensure it aligns with our unique approach. This is particularly exciting for MTH 120, where we move away from traditional algebra methods. Currently, when students use Google or standard AI, they often end up working much harder than necessary by falling back on traditional methods. By building a custom tutor that “thinks” the way we do in MTH 120, I can help them stay on the right track and work more efficiently. I’m looking forward to digging into the technical side and seeing what’s possible.

Is there anything else you’d like CIE or your colleagues at NMC to know about this experience?

Jim: ICTCM is a favorite conference for math department members. We always come back with several things to directly try out in our classes, and new ideas for areas to explore using technology to enhance our students’ learning.

Tony: I learned how to do a little bit of kirigami! It’s like origami, but with both folds and cuts. 

Becca: Yes, I want to learn how to build a chatbot.