*This event is presented by the Office of the Vice President, Academic and the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE). 

About this Event 

As we approach the start of the fall semester and prepare to welcome new and returning students, we invite academic staff to join us on Thursday, August 29th, for a symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity.  

This event will feature two guest speakers, and a preview of the CAE’s curated selection of offerings for academic staff this fall, including new workshops, events, and resources on assessment design, academic integrity, and best practices for implementing AI into your classroom.  

Join us in-person to network with colleagues, share your perspective, and gain insightful tips and tools to enhance your teaching this term. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided. 

To join the conversation in advance, fill out the CAE’s survey on Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence.This survey aims to gather instructor and staff perspectives on the integration of artificial intelligence technologies at Niagara College, focusing on academic integrity and teaching practices. Your responses will help shape future training opportunities, resources, and support structures. 

View the full event details below and register by 5:00 PM on August 27, 2024. 

Please note: 

• If registration is closed and you would like to attend, please email [email protected] for support.  

• If you have any accommodation requirements to participate in this event, kindly contact our team at [email protected] 

Schedule-at-a-glance 

About the Guest Speakers 

Keynote by Michele Stairs  

Integrating AI into education while preserving critical thinking and communication skills  

Michele Stairs, Faculty in the School of Liberal Studies at NC, will be leading an insightful presentation on integrating AI into education while preserving critical thinking and communication skills. This session will explore the transformative impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on the educational landscape and share strategies for maintaining essential soft skills development. Michele will explore methods to ensure students develop these skills independently, despite the integration of AI, and will provide insight into innovative course policies designed to balance AI usage with skill development. Finally, Michele will discuss how educators can identify AI-generated content through linguistic patterns, generic responses, and false citations, and will also address concept of the “uncanny valley” in AI-generated content and how to address it. 

Keynote by Amanda Baker Robinson 

Designing Assessment for an AI-Powered World 

We as educators are now living and working in a world powered by artificial intelligence, and we must respond in our assessment design. This session outlines paths that respond to the risks, realities and opportunities posed by current and emerging technology. Participants in this session are challenged to critically reflect on their own perspectives and responses to AI and thoughtfully consider whether to make adjustments to practice by exploring different perspectives from various experts in teaching and learning as well as new modalities of assessment.

Amanda Baker Robinson is no stranger to using AI as a tool to enhance course design. Since 2014, she has worked as an Instructional Designer for the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science and Continuous Professional Learning at Humber College, and she has developed courses for other Ontario colleges from Cambrian to Sault. Amanda recently wrapped up a one-year position as an Inclusive Curriculum Specialist (Innovative Learning, Humber College) where she worked to promote Universal Design for Learning and Equity-Minded Teaching practices. Currently, Amanda is working with St. Lawrence College to expand their hyflex course offerings. Throughout her career, Amanda has embraced thoughtful innovation in learning design for higher education. Her most recent research is on generative AI in equity-minded teaching and learning. Amanda also teaches in the E-Learning Design & Training Development program at Lambton and sits on the advisory board for the post-graduate eLearning programs at Sault College.