Generative AI 101
Northwestern IT Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT) invites applications to Generative AI 101, a new six-week professional development program co-sponsored by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Generative AI. The program aims to increase instructors’ digital literacy in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). All Northwestern instructors ready to begin exploring GenAI are encouraged to apply. A cohort of 15 to 20 instructors will be selected to join the program's first iteration, scheduled for January 27-March 7, 2025.
The program is open to all instructors teaching in the Spring, Summer, or Fall term of 2025. Instructors across all Northwestern schools, disciplines, and campuses are eligible to apply. Generative AI 101 is an extension of TLT’s educational series on Generative AI and Teaching for Fall 2024.
It is designed as an introductory-level course for those interested in understanding the basics before delving into more informed topics and uses of GenAI.
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Program Overview
Generative AI 101 participants will learn fundamental uses and functions of GenAI and develop course assignments. Previous familiarity with specific tools or predetermined learning goals is not required.
During the six-week program, participants will:
- Design an assignment using GenAI to be used in one of their courses in the Spring, Summer, or Fall term of 2025.
- Take part in analyses and evaluations of the assignment after it is completed in their class.
- Receive feedback from program facilitators, peers, and students.
Generative AI 101 will be conducted primarily in a synchronous online format, with in-person sessions planned to open and close the program. Accommodations may be made for asynchronous participation as needed.
Each cohort member will receive a one-year license to MS Copilot Generative AI tools (available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams).
Program Timeline
Program Instruction: January 27 - March 7, 2025
Faculty will meet as a cohort once a week for six weeks.
Time commitment: 2-3 hours/week, including individual consultations.
The following topics will be covered:
- Foundational generative AI concepts and techniques for prompt engineering.
- Using Northwestern-licensed Microsoft Copilot tools.
- Foundational concepts on bias, ethics, and data privacy concerns in artificial intelligence.
- Student perspectives on using generative AI.
- Techniques for citing, source checking, and verifying AI-generated output.
- Analyses of the impact of generative AI tools in the learning process.
- Development of a generative AI course assignment.
Time is built into each session for discussion and hands-on exploration of tools.
Members of the cohort will have one-on-one consultations with the Teaching and Learning Technologies program facilitators to build generative AI into one course assignment to be taught in the subsequent term.
Learning Evaluation: Spring, Summer, or Fall term of 2025
Time commitment: 5-10 hours overall, depending on the design of the participant’s assignments.
- Participants will use their generative AI assignment in their courses.
- Participants can invite Teaching and Learning Technologies program facilitators to observe or participate in their course assignments.
- Participants evaluate the assignment via student surveys and other reflections and submit a short report to the program facilitators and their cohort members.
Who can apply?
Any Northwestern faculty member or instructor from any discipline scheduled to teach a class in the Spring, Summer, or Fall term of 2025.
Considerations for selection will include:
- School / Department / Discipline (The program intends to include representation from many different areas.)
- Years of teaching experience (The program intends to include representation from instructors of all lengths of teaching careers.)
- Amount of AI exposure/experimentation (Most participants will have minimal experience using these tools.)
- Class identified by the applicant to be taught after the program (The program intends to include a range of class sizes, formats, and topics.)
Apply now to join the first Generative AI 101 Learning Cohort
Join the first Generative AI 101 Learning Cohort. Applications close on December 2, 2024. Selected cohort members will be notified on December 13, 2024. Accepted applicants must teach at least one course in the Spring, Summer, or Fall term of 2025.
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