Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Fair Images: Creating and Recognizing Bias in Gen AI Imagery | Wednesday, September 18 | 10:00-11:15am | Registration closed
This session focuses on the inherent visual bias in text-to-image Gen AI generation. Participants will learn how to recognize these biases and use AI-generated images as an effective tool to illustrate and discuss bias with students. The session aims to equip educators with the knowledge and strategies to both create fairer images and teach about bias in AI.
Oscar Keyes, Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian, VCU Libraries, Creative Technologies and Scholarship Department; TyRuben Ellingson, Associate Professor, Communication Arts, Cinema Program, VCUarts; Shraddha Mainali, Associate Professor, Neurointensivist, Neurology, VCU Health | View the slide deck >>

Fostering Critical Thinking in These Challenging Times: Engaging Multiple Perspectives and Dialogue | Monday, October 7 | 12:00-1:15pm | Registration closed
In an environment where geopolitical conflicts and national elections fuel uncertainty and polarized perspectives, the need for critical thinking in higher education has never been more important. This session invites faculty to explore how to cultivate critical thinking in the classroom, while ensuring a space where diverse perspectives are welcome, open dialogue is promoted, and everyone feels safe and supported. Panelists and participants will explore ways in which to balance open dialogue with respectful analysis, along with strategies to foster deeper reflection without imposing singular perspectives. Best practices will be offered regarding the use of readings, discussion formats, experiential learning, and other techniques that empower both faculty and students to develop independent thought in the times of crisis. 
Gina Longo, Department of Sociology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Co-Founder of the Digital Sociology Lab; Jihad Aziz, Executive Director, University Counseling Services, Student Affairs; Maurice Brown, Business Essentials, School of Business; RaJade (Jade) Berry-James, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Wilder School; Joe Coombs, Management and Entrepreneurship, School of Business

Conversations About Inclusion Series - Harnessing Humor: Inclusive Approaches for Increasing Engagement | Wednesday, October 16 | 10:00-11:15am | Registration closed
Humor in the classroom can positively impact student engagement and learning outcomes, but incorporating it effectively is not always straightforward. This session will explore the role of humor in fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment, and provide practical strategies for integrating it in respectful and inclusive ways. Discover practical approaches to create a more connected classroom experience.
Ingrid Pretzer-Aboff, Professor, Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems, School of Nursing; Nicholas (Nick) Williams, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, School of Business; Charlene Crawley, Director, Interdisciplinary Science Program, College of Humanities and Sciences; Chris Saladino, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Sciences

Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Gauging the Landscape: Current Faculty Perspectives on Gen AI in the Classroom | Thursday, November 7 | 10:00-11:15am | Registration closed
In this interactive session, we invite faculty to share their current thoughts, and experiences regarding the impact of Gen AI on teaching and learning in their classrooms. As Gen AI continues to evolve, so do faculty experiences. Hear from your colleagues about how it is shaping classroom dynamics, influencing student learning, and affecting course design. This discussion aims to gather faculty feedback on the current landscape, explore emerging concerns, and identify opportunities related to the integration of Gen AI in academic courses.

Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series Session #1 (Volume 1): Getting to Know Gen AI - A Primer of the Basics as a Hands-On Workshop | Monday, December 4, 2023 | 12:00-1:15pm
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and is quickly becoming an integral part of the academic landscape in universities. Amidst the many potential benefits and challenges associated with Gen AI, the first step is becoming familiar with what this technology actually is. During this session, faculty will be introduced to Gen AI fundamentals-- including key concepts, familiarization with common tools, and building a comfort level by experimenting with readily available Gen AI platforms. This session is a foundational step in creating your Gen AI literacy. You are encouraged to bring your laptops to the session. | View the slide deck >>
TyRuben Ellingson, Communication Arts Director, Cinema Program Sr. Director, Narrative Media Group; Oscar Keyes, Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian Innovative Media; Shraddha Mainali, Associate Professor of Neurology Director, Clinical Research for Stroke and Neurocritical Care; Victoria Yoon, Information Systems Co-Editor-in-Chief, Decision Support Systems

Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #2: Strategies for Enabling Inclusion in the Classroom: Being Mindful of Race, Ability, Class and Gender | Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 12:00- 1:15pm
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others). Enabling student engagement in the classroom requires knowledge about many ‘differences’, including privilege. This session focused on strategies to build an inclusive classroom. The following topics were addressed: How can we engage students in a classroom by being mindful of differences, including learning abilities? How can we minimize assumptions about students and include diverse experiences and perspectives?
RaJade (Jade) Berry-James, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Public Affairs; Charlene Crawley, Director of Interdisciplinary Science Program, Associate Professor, Chemistry; Dina Garcia, Assistant Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health; Shasmeen Ashar, Student, Bioinformatics; Lexi Dortch, Student, Chemistry

Discussion of Draft Tool: Gen AI and Teaching and Learning | Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 3:00- 4:15pm
VCU, like many other universities, has strategically been engaging faculty in conversations around emerging technologies, in order to prepare them to use and introduce generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the classroom. Without fear, censorship, or bans, the university aspires to be a collective source of curiosity. One reason the new technology seems to be in every university conversation is that generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has the ability to benefit teaching and learning in various ways, while also creating challenges for instructors in the classroom. For instance, Gen AI can create unique pieces of text, art, code, and video with increasing levels of sophistication. At the same time, these creations cannot be readily identified by typical plagiarism detection tools. This session focused on a discussion of the Tool to generate insights into additional needs identified by faculty.

Conversations on Inclusion Series Session #1: Tips for Engaging Students Across Teaching Modes | Thursday, September 7, 2023  | 12:00- 1:15pm
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others). 
Maurice Brown, Term Faculty, Business Essentials, School of Business; Gina Longo, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Co-Founder of Digital Sociology Lab; Judith Kornberg, Interim Executive Director, VCU Online; Joyce Loyd, Associate Dean, Graduate School, Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine