CTL Newsletter

This image, created by DALL-E, uses a combination of robotic elements and geometric shapes as well as a reference to the newly-built Integrated Science Building at Georgia College & State University, to symbolize the growing role of AI in higher education.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed various sectors, including education. At Georgia College & State University (GCSU), a group of faculty members, known as the AI Champions, are at the forefront of integrating AI into the academic landscape. We had the opportunity to interview several of these champions, including Dr. Emily Pucker (Assistant Professor, Department of English), Dr. Ward Risvold (Assistant Professor, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science; Director, AI Lab), Dr. Bailey McAlister (Lecturer, Department of English), Dr. Roberto Leon (Assistant Professor, Department of English), Dr. Joy Bracewell (Assistant Professor, Department of English; Director, Writing Center), and Dr. Cynthia Alby (Professor, Department of Teacher Education). Following the initial exploration of faculty motivations to explore AI and their experiences with it at Georgia College & State University (GCSU), this second article continues our series by considering AI integration in higher education. Building on the insights shared by these AI Champions, we explore the complexities and opportunities AI presents to educators and students.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite their enthusiasm for the benefits of this new technology, the faculty members acknowledged several challenges. Dr. Pucker pointed out the steep learning curve associated with mastering AI tools and shared ethical concerns regarding the use of AI in academic work, pondering whether it constitutes cheating and how it might affect learning and personal growth.

Dr. Risvold expressed concerns about data privacy and security, emphasizing the need for robust safeguards. He also highlighted the risks of plagiarism and skill atrophy, stressing the importance of teaching students to use AI ethically and effectively. Dr. Risvold noted that AI allows for greater agility and creativity in teaching, which enabled him to try new approaches and improve course content without the extensive manual effort.

Dr. McAlister noted that engaging students with AI revealed a spectrum of interactions, from eager adoption to cautious approach. However, as students navigated AI's applications, they began to see it not as a shortcut for dishonesty but as a partner in their learning journey, helping bridge gaps in understanding and inspiring new ways of thinking. Dr. McAlister observed that students began to see AI as a valuable partner in their learning, bridging gaps in understanding and inspiring creativity. Personally, and professionally, she found that AI enriched her teaching and personal life, enhancing lesson planning and brainstorming sessions.

Dr. Leon identified the rapid pace of AI development as a significant challenge, making it difficult for individuals to fully grasp its capabilities and implications. He urged for a slow, critical response to AI rather than being overly fearful or overly enthusiastic.

Dr. Bracewell mentioned the challenges of using AI in education, particularly for students still developing their learning strategies and habits. She emphasized the importance of understanding AI's role in facilitating students' learning and writing processes while considering higher-order concerns over lower-order ones like grammar and punctuation. Dr. Bracewell noted AI's role in personalizing education, providing tailored support to students based on their individual needs.

Dr. Alby highlighted the need for educators and administrators to understand AI's capabilities and limitations to ensure its effective and ethical use in enhancing learning experiences and outcomes. She mentioned AI's potential to enhance decision-making processes, offering data-driven insights that can inform educational strategies.

Conclusion

The experiences of Drs. Pucker, Risvold, McAlister, Leon, Bracewell, and Alby reflect a collective commitment to leveraging AI thoughtfully and ethically. Their unique perspectives illustrate that, when integrated effectively, AI can support critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth. While acknowledging the challenges, such as the steep learning curve, ethical concerns, data privacy, and the need for critical engagement, the faculty members also highlighted the benefits AI brings to the educational landscape, such as the ability to handle tedious tasks, personalize education, and provide data-driven insights that can significantly enhance teaching and learning experiences.

New Faculty Orientation With the help and support of many individuals and offices from around the university and community, we celebrated the arrival of close to sixty full- and part-time instructors for the Fall semester! The agenda included speakers from across the campus, with administrators, faculty, staff, and students participating, helping to set a strong foundation for success for our incoming instructors and welcoming them to our community.

New Faculty Orientation attendees (photo credit: Anna Leavitt).

Introducing Instructor Peer Coaching (IPC) @ GCSU: Elevating Teaching Excellence Instructor Peer Coaching (IPC) at Georgia College & State University (GCSU) pairs faculty members for collaborative growth in teaching practices. Participants refine active learning, technology integration, effective lecturing, feedback incorporation, and classroom management through structured training and goal-setting. Guided by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), instructors will conduct observations, reflections, and assessments to drive continuous improvement. And there's more: each instructor will receive $125 in professional development funds each semester in December and May. So, join us in shaping the future of education and elevating teaching excellence at GCSU through collaborative learning with FPC.

If you want to request IPC, please contact us at ctl@gcsu.edu with "IPC" in the email subject line. You must express interest in the process before August 31.

Upcoming Workshop Programming - Fall 2024 CTL is excited to offer a programming lineup for Fall 2024. These workshops will take place in Library 376. Please click on a workshop title to register!

• Academic Affairs Small Grants Program (2 p.m. on August 28; repeated on August 29 at 3 p.m.)
• Roadmap Workshop (10 a.m. on September 4)
• Quality Matters - Designing Your Online Course (DYOC) (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 6 and September 13)
• Teamwork - Collaborative Excellence: Enhancing Teamwork through Liberal Arts Perspectives (1 p.m. on September 18)
• Critical Teaching Behaviors (12 noon on September 24; repeated at 12 noon on September 25)
• How Students Define Success - Part I (12 noon on October 1; repeated at 12 noon on October 2)
• Critical Thinking - Navigating the Liberal Arts Landscape (1 p.m. on October 3)
• Quality Matters - Improving Your Online Course (IYOC) (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on October 4 and October 11)
• How Students Define Success - Part II (12 noon on October 8; repeated at 12 noon on October 9)
• Liberal Arts at the Intersection: A Roadmap for Creative Problem-Solving (2 p.m. on October 16)
• Communication - Charting Your Course (11 a.m. on October 31)
• Quality Matters - Apply the QM Rubric (APPQMR) (12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on November 1 and November 8)
• Roadmap Wrap-up (1 p.m. on November 11)
• Active Learning 101 (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on December 16 and December 17)

Academic Affairs Small Grants - Application Period Opens September 1! The call for research grant proposals for 2024 Round I opens September 1, 2024, with a deadline of September 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants should read the guidance provided by Academic Affairs. Once the applicant has their materials ready to submit, please log into GeorgiaVIEW/D2L, click on the Self-Registration menu option, and find the 2024 Academic Affairs Small Grants Program course. Be sure to complete self-registration for the course. Submission instructions and forms for uploading your materials are in the course announcements. For more information, please see the Program Call for Submissions.

Grant amount: Up to $5,000.00

Submission Timeline:

Application Open: September 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. EST

Notification letters distributed to applicants: October 11, 2024

Award Lasts Until: November 1, 2025 [All funds must be expended by May 1, 2025]

For assistance, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu, or call (478) 445-2520.

Community-Based Engaged Learning Grants - Application Period Opens September 1! The call for research grant proposals for 2024 Round I opens September 1, 2024, with a deadline of September 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Once the applicant has their materials ready to submit, please log into GeorgiaVIEW, click on the Self-Registration menu option, find the CbEL Grants Program course. Be sure to complete the self-registration for the course. Submission instructions and forms to upload your materials are in the course announcements. For more information, please see the Program Call for Submissions.

Grant amount: Up to $1,000.00

Submission Timeline:

Application Open: September 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. EST

Notification letters distributed to applicants: October 11, 2024

Award Lasts Until: November 1, 2025 [All funds must be expended by May 1, 2025]

For assistance, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu, or call (478) 445-2520.

Call for Proposals - Collaborative Research Grant - Application Period Opens September 1! Collaborative research involves scholars from across disciplines working together to address a common research goal or question. Collaborating on a common goal utilizes different perspectives and disciplines combining their respective skills and backgrounds to study and understand unique and diverse problems.

The purpose of this grant program is to provide funding for Georgia College faculty to conduct research on conduct collaborative research on complex problems. This award will prioritize collaborations across departments and schools.

Grant amount: Up to $4,000.00

Submission Timeline:

Application Open: September 1, 2024 to September 15, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. EST

Notification letters distributed to applicants: October 11, 2024

Award Lasts Until: November 1, 2025 [All funds must be expended by May 1, 2025]

The call for Collaborative Research Grant proposals for 2024 Round I opens September 1, 2024, with a deadline of September 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants should read the guidance provided by Academic Affairs. Once the applicant has their materials ready to submit, please log into GeorgiaVIEW/D2L, click on the Self-Registration menu option, and find the 2024 Collaborative Research Grants Program course. Be sure to complete self-registration for the course. Submission instructions and forms to upload your materials are in the course announcements.

For assistance, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at ctl@gcsu.edu, or call (478) 445-2520.

Join GCSU's Artificial Intelligence Community of Practice! Are you a faculty member at Georgia College & State University interested in exploring the exciting world of artificial intelligence? Do you want to learn how AI can enhance your teaching and support your students?

We invite you to become a part of our AI Community of Practice! This group, shepherded by Dr. Ward Risvold, Director of the Georgia College AI Lab, brings together faculty to collaborate, share insights, and discover innovative ways to integrate AI into their classes. By participating, you’ll engage in joint activities and discussions that foster collective learning and professional growth. Create projects, explore the latest in AI technology, and find opportunities to expand your teaching.

Meetings: Second Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. beginning on September 11. We’ll be meeting in the CTL classroom, Library 376.

Don’t miss out on this chance to be at the forefront of educational technology. Let’s harness the power of AI together!

For more information and to join, please contact Jim Berger at the Center for Teaching & Learning: (478) 445-2520 or ctl@gcsu.edu.

Having a Problem in GeorgiaVIEW? Remember the 10-Minute Rule! Barb Szyjko, our retired Instructional Technology Staff Specialist, came up with the 10-Minute Rule during her fourteen years here at Georgia College, and we think it's a great guideline.

If you've been working on a GeorgiaVIEW issue for ten minutes without resolution, please give CTL a call or send an email. We're glad to help and can save you time and anguish.

Table Talk Is Back So, what is “Table Talk” you ask? It’s a free lunch to facilitate friendly, lively conversation between students and faculty at The MAX (okay, not really free – Auxiliary Services and Dining Services pick up the tab). Read the Front Page article to learn more!

Dr. Catrena Higginbotham Lisse

Dr. Lisse in the lab.

This column in the CTL newsletter is devoted to celebrating faculty success over the past academic year. This month, we are pleased to feature Dr. Catrena Higginbotham Lisse, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Science Education Center. When she is not mentoring students and leading undergraduate research projects, she is making waves in our community as a staunch advocate for science education through programs such as the annual Chemistry Fair, STEMing into the Community, and the Young Scientists Academy.

***

What is your role here at Georgia College & State University?

I am a professor of chemistry and director of the Science Education Center.

What award did you receive this year?

The name of the award is the 2023 Charles Dunn Award from the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). The award recognizes a faculty member whose commitment to student success goes “above and beyond” the classroom and office, the traditional roles of teacher, academic advisor, and mentor.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

Everyone who knows me knows I do not do what I do for awards, but it does feel nice to be acknowledged for the hard work and dedication I have given this university for more than twenty years. I am not sure there could be a more appropriate award than one that focuses on commitment to student success because when my students succeed, then I succeed.

What advice would you give to other faculty who might be interested in applying for a similar award?

Follow your passion. Take the time to acknowledge one another when you see a coworker going the extra mile. Those small gestures can sometimes be what keeps us going.

***

The Charles Dunn Award recognizes a “COPLAC faculty colleague who consistently practices the vision of a public liberal arts campus as a community dedicated to learning on a human scale.” Three Georgia College & State University faculty have received this award in the last five years, Dr. Lisse (2023), Dr. Rob Sumowski (2021), and Dr. Jennifer Flory (2018). Are you interested in being nominated for the 2024 Charles Dunn Award? If so, please inform your department chair.

You can read more about this award here: https://www.coplac.org/awards

We would like to use this space in the newsletter to share stories about faculty success. Do you have an accomplishment that you would like to have featured in our newsletter? If so, please reach out to us at ctl@gcsu.edu.

The IT department is excited to see all faculty, staff and students back on campus for Fall 2024. Here are some updates and reminders we would like to share with you:

We have several personnel updates:

• Brian Watson began serving as our interim chief information officer on July 1st. Brian currently serves as IT executive director in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia.
• Gerry Calbay started on August 1st as our Database Administrator.
• We are in the final stages of interviewing for the Senior Web Development position in our System and Web infrastructure team.
• The System Administration Intermediate position is currently posted.

• Just a quick reminder! Microsoft Self-Service Password is available to all GCSU Faculty, Staff, and Students. For more information, visit the following URLs:
• Faculty and Staff Resources: https://www.gcsu.edu/technology/facultystaff
• Students: https://www.gcsu.edu/technology/student-technology-resources

• Completed the upgrade of our campus core routers and some additional network switches to improve network performance, data transmission and responsiveness campus wide.
• Continuing to add/replace wireless access points in non-residential areas on West Campus and on main campus.
• Completed upgrade of the wireless and network switching infrastructure in the GCSU library.
• Microsoft Licensing upgraded to improve audio conferencing and allow for more features to come in the future.
• AV upgrades in 7 classrooms in Kilpatrick.
• Computer replacements for A&S 351 as well as Ennis 020.
• Worked with the Russell Library to add a total of 259 110V power outlets, 208 USB ports and 208 USB-C ports for charging needs.
• Installation of two screens and a teacher’s station in the Library 122 lab so it can serve as a classroom.
• Lab upgrades included 8 New computers in A&S 143 and a new 98 inch screen to replace shaking projector in A&S 243.
• Installed two new student cell phone charging stations and are refurbishing six existing stations across campus.
• Worked diligently to prepare for new faculty/staff arriving in Fall.

• Submit a self-service ticket by going to https://askit.gcsu.edu and clicking on the green “IT HELP DESK REQUEST FORM” button. You can also get to the website by using the “AskIT” tab at the top left of https://my.gcsu.edu.
• Call the IT Help Desk at 478-445-7378.
• Send an email to AskIT@gcsu.edu and include a description of your issue.
• Drop by the IT Help Desk located on the bottom floor of the Library.

Email: ctl@gcsu.edu
Website: https://www.gcsu.edu/ctl
Phone: (478) 445-2520

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