Transforming Education: University of Delaware Pioneers AI Integration for Student Success
Published on: March 10, 2024
With the advent of ChatGPT in November 2022, the educational sector recognized the profound implications of AI for students and educators. The University of Delaware, a frontrunner in AI research, is now guiding the discourse on AI in education. The AI for Teaching and Learning Working Group, comprising 26 faculty and staff, is pioneering new teaching practices and policy frameworks in relation to AI tools, starting with a seminar series.
Matthew Kinservik, UD's vice provost for faculty affairs, emphasizes AI's disruptive potential in teaching, learning, and research. The Working Group, initiated in May 2023, is part of the 'Making AI Generative for Higher Education' project by Ithaka S+R. It aims to explore AI's impact on higher education and develop responsive pedagogical strategies, curriculum development, and academic integrity guidelines.
The Group's interdisciplinary team includes experts like Michael David Evans, director of computing operations, and Joshua Wilson, an associate professor focusing on AI in education. They're exploring AI's application in large foundational courses and developing an AI literacy tutorial to guide appropriate usage of AI tools.
UD’s Academic Technology Services (ATS) is working on the UD Study AiDE project, which aims to create AI-powered learning tools for students. This project exemplifies the University's broader strategy in adopting AI technologies for educational advancement.
The yearlong seminar series, 'Navigating the Future of AI and Teaching and Learning in Higher Education', is designed to enhance AI literacy among faculty and staff. The seminars cover AI's implications for various fields and prepare students for the AI-influenced future workplace.
Complementing this effort, UD’s Data Science Institute and the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (AICoE) support AI research and application development. AICoE's new graduate certificate in AI, in collaboration with the College of Engineering, is equipping students with essential AI skills for various careers.
The University of Delaware's proactive approach in integrating AI into teaching and learning is setting a precedent in higher education. Through these initiatives, UD is not only adapting to the AI revolution but also shaping the future of AI in academia.