UMBC Faculty Development Center: Introduction to Generative AI in Teaching Webinar Series Three sessions: 12-1pm Mondays, Oct. 6, 13, & 27, online UMBC's Faculty Development Center will host a series of three webinars for UMBC faculty on teaching and generative AI systems from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on October 6, 13, and 27. For more information, please follow the links below.  Faculty can register for any of them by clicking on the Going Virtually link on the event's web page.

Generative AI in Teaching I:  Literacy and Foundations
Monday, Oct 6,  12:00-1:00 pm 

This session introduces the basics of generative AI and its implications for teaching and learning.  It focuses on AI literacy by examining what these tools are, what they can and cannot do, basic prompting, ethical & responsible use, and how they may impact classroom practice.  Faculty will see short demos of ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and have space for Q&A. 

Generative AI in Teaching II:  Applied Skills and Use Cases
Monday, Oct 13, 12:00-1:00 pm

Building on Generative AI in Teaching I, this interactive session highlights applied skills and practical use cases.  Faculty will practice effective prompting, explore discipline-specific scenarios, and consider assignment design strategies.  Examples will touch on advanced features (custom GPTs/GEMs, Canvas Mode, Deep Research Mode, agent mode) related to teaching.

I'm Not Teaching with Generative AI, But What Do I Still Need to Know?
Monday, Oct 27,  12:00-1:00 pm

This session highlights what faculty need to know, even if they are not adopting AI in their own teaching. Topics include basic Gen AI literacy, a critical examination of student use of AI tools, equity and access, ethical concerns, credible sources of Gen AI information, and implications for assessment and pedagogy..

]]> UMBC's Faculty Development Center will host a series of three webinars for UMBC faculty on teaching and generative AI systems from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on October 6, 13, and 27. For more information,... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/153195/guest@my.umbc.edu/1e3a907e3756743d582ba548a7dbb3c5/api/pixel ai generative-ai llm teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC Faculty Development Center 1 0 true Thu, 02 Oct 2025 21:47:10 -0400 AI and Information Literacy Module How to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Firefly
Banner from the UMD Library site on AI and Information Literacy

The first episode in the USM’s AI, Unscripted podcast series is now available. The collection of 30-minute sessions is intended to encourage and support faculty in using AI for teaching and learning. In this first episode,  Ben Shaw, a teaching and learning librarian at the University of Maryland, College Park, talks about a module on AI and Information Literacy that instructors can add to their courses.

The 1-2 hour module was developed to help university students in any course and with any background learn how to use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Adobe Firefly. You can explore the module on the UMD site. If you are interested in adding or adapting the module for your own course website, you can fill out a request form on this page.


]]> The first episode in the USM’s AI, Unscripted podcast series is now available. The collection of 30-minute sessions is intended to encourage and support faculty in using AI for teaching and... https://umd.instructure.com/courses/1354089 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/152203/guest@my.umbc.edu/e2319b361bd0f838149e83a7f77a8e6e/api/pixel ai education teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI 1 0 true Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:32:30 -0400 AI, Unscripted: podcasts on AI for Teaching and Learning New 30 minute podcast released every two weeks this Fall The AI, Unscripted podcast series guides faculty from curiosity to confidence in using artificial intelligence for teaching and learning. This nine-episode limited series from the UMB's Moving the Needle podcast features conversations with Maryland educators who started exactly where you might be now -- interested but uncertain about AI's place in higher education.

Each 30-minute episode features conversations with innovative educators who share:
  • Their personal journey from AI-curious to AI-confident
  • Detailed explanations of their classroom implementations
  • One thing you can try tomorrow in your own teaching

Whether you’re just beginning to explore generative AI or already building confidence, each episode meets you where you are. We’re all navigating how to learn and teach with this evolving technology, and our guests share practical, real-world examples to help you along the way. We hope these conversations inspire you to take your next step, however small, in exploring AI's potential in your own teaching practice.

Episode Lineup

The carefully curated lineup features faculty from diverse disciplines and institutions who understand the caution many faculty (and students) feel about AI. The podcasts, and when they will be available on the Moving the Needle site are:

  • 8/25: Host Handover with Moving the Needle Host Scott Riley and Ai, Unscripted co-hosts Mary Crowley-Farrell (USM Council of University System Faculty), Michael Mills (MarylandOnline), and Jennifer Potter (USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation)
  • 9/1: AI & Information Literacy: Teaching Students to Think Critically with Ben Shaw (Teaching and Learning Librarian, University of Maryland, College Park)
  • 9/15: Ask the AI: Business Assignments That Boost Engagement with Bill Carter (Associate Professor, University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business)
  • 9/29: Therapy Bots & Ethical Practice: AI in Mental Health Education with Amanda Draheim (Assistant Professor of Psychology, Goucher College)
  • 10/13: Truth, Data, and AI: Journalism's Role in Uncertain Times with Derek Willis (Lecturer in Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park)
  • 10/27: Writing with Machines: AI in the English Classroom with Eleanor Welsh (Professor of English, Chesapeake College)
  • 11/10: Clinical Judgment Meets AI: Teaching for Nursing Practice with Denyce Watties-Daniels (Associate Professor in Nursing, Coppin State University)
  • 11/24: AI as a Critical Friend: Supporting Reflection in Graduate Learning with Liyan Song (Professor, Learning Technologies, Design & School Library Media, Towson University)
  • 12/8: Ask Us Anything: Series Wrap-Up, with co-hosts Mary Crowley-Farrell, Michael Mills, and Jennifer Potter alongside Moving the Needle host Scott Riley

The series is hosted by:

  • Mary Crowley-Farrell, Collegiate Associate Professor in Communication, Journalism, & Speech at UMGC and longtime CUSF member
  • Michael Mills, Associate Senior Vice President of Equitable Access and Student Success at Montgomery College and Chair of the Board of MarylandOnline
  • Jennifer Potter, Associate Director, Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation at the University System of Maryland
  • Moving the Needle host, Scott Riley

How to Listen

The first episode is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the AI, Unscripted Podcast Limited Series page. New episodes will be added bi-weekly through December 15th. 

Share Your Journey

We invite you to share your own questions, hesitations, or early experiments with AI in teaching. Connect with us on LinkedIn using #AIUnscripted or email your thoughts to aiunscripted@usmd.edu. Your perspective matters, especially if you're just beginning to explore these tools. Your questions and experiences could help shape future resources for faculty across Maryland.

Co-sponsored by the USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation, the USM Council of University System Faculty, and MarylandOnline.

]]> The AI, Unscripted podcast series guides faculty from curiosity to confidence in using artificial intelligence for teaching and learning. This nine-episode limited series from the UMB's Moving the... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/151713 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/151778/guest@my.umbc.edu/a36673fa027473b28de18f09a46e8cbe/api/pixel ai learning podcasts teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/xxlarge.jpg?1756245543 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/xlarge.jpg?1756245543 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/large.jpg?1756245543 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/medium.jpg?1756245543 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/small.jpg?1756245543 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/xsmall.jpg?1756245543 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/778/14ee430ec2bdb1b76a54c9eddd3dfccd/xxsmall.jpg?1756245543 moving the needle logo 0 0 true Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:29:36 -0400 Baltimore Business Journal article on UMBC and AI Part of a series on how AI is upending the business world The Baltimore Business Journal published an article, Slowly Beginning to Adapt, on how UMBC is is adjusting to the latest generative AI systems.  The piece is part of the BBJ's AI Meets Main Street series on how AI is upending the business world.  The articles was based on an interview with UMBC faculty Anupam Joshi, John Schumacher, and Tim Finin.

The article quotes Professor Joshi's comments on teaching programming: 'Previous generations adapted to the calculator, the printing press and to the written word. We're slowly beginning to adapt and ask ourselves the question, how do you teach computer science, in a world where people can just tell the computer to spit out code?'"

It also mentions Schumacher's approach for using AI as a tool for brainstorming, rather than extracting facts, asa  key to promoting responsible use. "Students who rely too much on the technology are vulnerable to endemic errors in AI answers called hallucinations that range from relatively innocuous mistakes to completely made-up facts. Google’s AI search tool once infamously identified former President Barack Obama as a Muslim, leading the tech giant to remove AI answers for some questions."
]]> The Baltimore Business Journal published an article, Slowly Beginning to Adapt, on how UMBC is is adjusting to the latest generative AI systems.  The piece is part of the BBJ's AI Meets Main... https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2025/08/22/umbc-colleges-navigate-ai-use-classroom.html https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/151687/guest@my.umbc.edu/b44e068caedc475e9274581af810aca7/api/pixel ai bbj education teaching umbc UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/xxlarge.jpg?1756064977 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/xlarge.jpg?1756064977 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/large.jpg?1756064977 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/medium.jpg?1756064977 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/small.jpg?1756064977 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/xsmall.jpg?1756064977 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/151/687/4f4e14a0e55eb2158b27d30e23d494e4/xxsmall.jpg?1756064977 Image of three senior UMBC AI faculty 0 0 true Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:03:09 -0400 UMBC Prof. Diane Alonso named senior fellow for generative AI pedagogy at USM Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation

Diane Alonso, a teaching professor and director of UMBC’s psychology program at the Universities at Shady Grove, has been named one of two senior fellows for generative AI pedagogy at the William E. Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation. The center was established in 2013 by the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents and aims to be a focal point for advancing academic innovation both within Maryland and across higher education nationally.

She will work alongside the other senior fellow—Tracy Tomlinson of the University of Maryland, College Park—and Jennifer Potter, the associate director at the Kirwan Center, to lead the development of the Kirwan Center’s generative AI programming in the 2025 – 2026 academic year. This includes the development of a curriculum to train and collaborate with select faculty from across the USM system in best practices for classroom use of generative AI, a type of AI that can create new content, including text, images, audio, and video, in response to prompts. These faculty will then convey the lessons from the sessions to their respective campus colleagues in spring 2026. 

Read more about Dr. Alonso and her new role here.

]]> Diane Alonso, a teaching professor and director of UMBC’s psychology program at the Universities at Shady Grove, has been named one of two senior fellows for generative AI pedagogy at the William... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine/posts/150813 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150820/guest@my.umbc.edu/9b5e88406f6db4affe53984f05fea43c/api/pixel ai education genai llm teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/xxlarge.jpg?1750875868 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/xlarge.jpg?1750875868 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/large.jpg?1750875868 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/medium.jpg?1750875868 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/small.jpg?1750875868 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/xsmall.jpg?1750875868 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/820/d3a1dfd8788a959fc93ed71526d7fb91/xxsmall.jpg?1750875868 Head shot of Diane Alonso, senior fellow for generative AI pedagogy 8 4 true Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:28:17 -0400 AI Literacy for Faculty: Video of Mike Kentz presentation at UMBC on 6/4 Mastering the core skills for teaching
See this video of the presentation Mike Kentz gave on June 4, 2025 at UMBC. His 90 minute talk provided many useful axamples and insights on how to use the new generative LLM-based AI systems in both teaching and learning. Accessing the video requires logging into UMBC.

Kentz champions a "teacher-first" approach, positioning educators as central to AI integration as seen in his book, AI in Education: A Roadmap For Teacher-Led Transformation.
]]> See this video of the presentation Mike Kentz gave on June 4, 2025 at UMBC. His 90 minute talk provided many useful axamples and insights on how to use the new generative LLM-based AI systems in... https://umbc.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=c24ed95a-bb3c-4db5-b0b1-b2fa0134f5f9 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150737/guest@my.umbc.edu/ae933338561801d42cfa57892962ea74/api/pixel ai education genai kentz learning llm teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/xxlarge.jpg?1750345959 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/xlarge.jpg?1750345959 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/large.jpg?1750345959 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/medium.jpg?1750345959 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/small.jpg?1750345959 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/xsmall.jpg?1750345959 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/737/3731b1acd0526aebd5bbbe927b7611cf/xxsmall.jpg?1750345959 AI literacy for facuty 0 0 true Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:34:06 -0400 CourseArc offers new AI-supported features for UMBC instructors, including image descriptions
The CourseArc tools in Blackboard now feature new AI-powered capabilities to enhance content creation efficiency and speed. From generating alt text and long descriptions to transforming outlines into full lessons and creating quizzes in seconds, these tools are ready to support your workflow -- right where you work.

Writing high-quality alt text and long descriptions is essential for accessibility, but it can be a time-consuming task. CourseArc's new Alt text & Long Description Generator tool, built directly into the Image block, generates clear, meaningful descriptions in seconds. Whether you’re working with simple icons or complex visuals, this feature helps you meet accessibility standards more quickly and consistently.

See this post in the UMBC Instructional Technology group for more information on the new AI tools in CourseArc.
]]> The CourseArc tools in Blackboard now feature new AI-powered capabilities to enhance content creation efficiency and speed. From generating alt text and long descriptions to transforming outlines... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/150597 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150610/guest@my.umbc.edu/b84be7a3cd624d1e4cbc41a23701e92d/api/pixel ai blackboard coursearc teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/xxlarge.jpg?1749604508 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/xlarge.jpg?1749604508 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/large.jpg?1749604508 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/medium.jpg?1749604508 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/small.jpg?1749604508 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/xsmall.jpg?1749604508 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/610/73f8948009024bac9d1efb52e1a61f9e/xxsmall.jpg?1749604508 logo for the CourseArc tools 0 0 true Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:24:23 -0400 AI Literacy for Faculty: Mastering Core Skills for Teaching with AI Wed. June 4, 9:00-10:30am, UMBC:ISLB 201 or online

Faculty everywhere are asking: Is AI a threat or an opportunity? Find your own answers in this workshop led by national expert, author, teacher, and AI specialist Mike Kentz. This hands-on session translates AI complexity into powerful, classroom-ready insights and skills. Kentz champions a "teacher-first" approach, positioning educators as central to AI integration as seen in his book, AI in Education: A Roadmap For Teacher-Led Transformation.

Move beyond the AI hype into your own practical AI toolkit.  Flexible attendance—either in person or online — makes participation simple.  We encourage in-person participation to engage with your peers and the speaker fully. 

Space is limited; register now to secure a spot or use this WebEx link to join online. ]]> Faculty everywhere are asking: Is AI a threat or an opportunity? Find your own answers in this workshop led by national expert, author, teacher, and AI specialist Mike Kentz. This hands-on session... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/socy/events/142966 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150451/guest@my.umbc.edu/2afa87d10a8b5795e811c6f68b5405dd/api/pixel ai education teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC Dept. of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/xxlarge.jpg?1748464489 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/xlarge.jpg?1748464489 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/large.jpg?1748464489 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/medium.jpg?1748464489 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/small.jpg?1748464489 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/xsmall.jpg?1748464489 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/150/451/b4a81265dc34fa5767d976ee5a9adeae/xxsmall.jpg?1748464489 Image of speaker Mike Kentz 0 0 true Wed, 28 May 2025 16:36:12 -0400 Wed, 28 May 2025 16:48:58 -0400 Exploring the Use of GenAI in Formative Assessment of Student Learning Hybrid "Study Day" Panel, 12-1pm EDT Wednesday, May 14

A robot studies for an exam using books

UMBC’s DoIT and Faculty Development Center will hold a “study day” panel 12-1pm on Wednesday, May 14, to explore how generative AI systems can help students prepare for exams. Three UMBC faculty members will show and tell how and why they are exploring the use of GenAI tools in formative assessment of student learning.

Panelists and use cases include Sarah Bass (Chemistry), who will discuss the use of Google NotebookLM for Chem 101 tutorials and virtual assistance, Tim Finin (CSEE) on effective exploration of questions from old exams, and John Schumacher (ANTH/SOCY) use of AI to generate case studies and assess student analyses of them. Each panelist will have 5-10 minutes to briefly describe how AI could be or was used to efficiently and effectively assess student formative practice, related issues and opportunities, and the next steps. 

Visit the event's website to register to attend in person or access the online link when the session happens.

Here are resources added after the meeting:
UMBC Center for AI ]]> UMBC’s DoIT and Faculty Development Center will hold a “study day” panel 12-1pm on Wednesday, May 14, to explore how generative AI systems can help students prepare for exams. Three UMBC faculty... https://doit.umbc.edu/events/event/142252/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149799/guest@my.umbc.edu/3d2e428bc16e329d22921e0c866ac20d/api/pixel ai exam genai llm teaching UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC DoIT and Faculty Development Center 0 0 true Mon, 05 May 2025 13:01:24 -0400 Sun, 18 May 2025 17:06:07 -0400 Video and slides from Generative AI and Higher Education Prof. John Schumacher's Lipitz Lecture, March 27, 2024

The video and slides of UMBC Professor John Schumacher’s Lipitz Lecture on “Generative AI and Higher Education: Practical Insights for Today and Tomorrow” are now available online.

Generative AI systems are fundamentally challenging higher education. The rapid evolution of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude confronts us with urgent questions: How do we understand and use these tools?  How might we integrate these technologies effectively?  Where do we set the academic and ethical boundaries for their use?  His presentation explored the current generative AI landscape and gave practical insights for educators, students, and institutions.
]]> The video and slides of UMBC Professor John Schumacher’s Lipitz Lecture on “Generative AI and Higher Education: Practical Insights for Today and Tomorrow” are now available online. Generative... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148635/guest@my.umbc.edu/38d860b0f31786a28550584f49d43824/api/pixel ai education genai generative-ai slides teaching video UMBC AI https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-ai https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/original.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xlarge.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/large.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/medium.png?1691095779 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/small.png?1691095779 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xsmall.png?1691095779 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/081/cfb27ebe008c2636486089a759ea5c36/xxsmall.png?1691095779 UMBC AI 0 0 true Thu, 03 Apr 2025 07:56:10 -0400