Dr. José Antonio Bowen will visit UMBC on Thursday, January 23, to lead two in-person workshops for UMBC faculty and staff based on his book Teaching with AI, co-authored with C. Edward Watson, JHU Press, 2024.

Get more information on the workshops and register in the links below to ensure seating, workshop materials, and lunch or coffee and snacks.

Registration closes on Thursday, January 16.

• AI Literacy & Prompt Engineering, (with lunch): 12:00-1:45pm;  REGISTER HERE
• AI Assignments & Assessments (coffee & snacks): 2:00-3:15pm. - REGISTER HERE

Enhancing Computational Thinking Skills while Addressing ChatGPT Challenges in Introductory Programming Courses

12-1pm EST, Wednesday, Nov. 20, in ITE 459 and online

Effective practices for teaching computing majors to become proficient programmers have been a key research focus for some time. Programming is a fundamental skill that computing students must develop, yet research shows that a notable percentage of students encounter difficulties or become discouraged, sometimes deterring them from the field altogether. The rise of AI tools has introduced new challenges for educators striving to equip students with the essential skills needed for professional practice. In computing, AI and its vast potential are actively studied, yet generative AI tools like ChatGPT—which are open-source and widely accessible—present unique hurdles. These tools, while valuable, may impede students’ ability to develop core computational skills, especially when emphasis is placed on programming pedagogy. This talk will explore these challenges in depth, addressing strategies and practices to mitigate the influence of ChatGPT in early programming courses. Additionally, it will highlight ongoing efforts in IS 147 to examine the impact of these practices on student learning and skill development.

Edward Dillon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Systems at UMBC. His research focuses on human-centered computing with emphasis on computer science education and broadening participation in computing. Dr. Dillon has received ~$3.7 million in research funding and awards from external agencies and non-profit organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the Maryland Pre-Service Computer Science Teacher Education Program, and the Collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates. He also conducted a Faculty in Residency at Google during the summer of 2018 to learn more about this company’s culture, practices, and to understand the expectations for candidates (e.g., aspiring CS majors) who pursue career opportunities at this company and related prominent companies in tech.

Microsoft’s Copilot Studio is a conversational AI platform that lets you create agents using natural language or a graphical interface that are based on the GPT-4 series of large language models. Using Copilot Studio, you can more easily design, test, and publish agents that suit your needs for internal or external scenarios across your university, department, or role. This one-hour webinar is focused on using it for education by faculty, staff, and students: 11-12pm EST, Thursday, November 21, 2024, online. Register here. 

UMBC's Faculty Development Center will hold a series of three online discussion sessions on Teaching with AI, based on the 2024 book Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson.

The initial session, on 12-1 pm Wednesday, October 2, 2024, covers how AI developed, how it’s changing the work world (and the changes anticipated), why AI literacy is vital, and how it can interact with and enhance our creativity. Registered participants can access an electronic copy of the book.

Get more information and register here. 

Enhancing Student Engagement with AI Conversations in Blackboard Ultra

Join Dr. Mariann Hawken, director of UMBC's Instructional Technology, and Josh Abrams, Instructional Design Specialist, for an exploration of Ultra’s new AI Conversations, a Socratic questioning exercise powered by AI to support the responsible use of AI. In this session, discover how AI Conversations can be integrated into your courses to enhance student learning and engagement. When defined by the instructor for complexity and personality, the AI Conversation allows students to explore a topic and gain new perspectives.

AI Conversations will be available in the September release and future updates to this tool in late fall will include roleplaying and debate exercises.