RSVP - Generative AI: Professional Learning Community (PLC)

The ITL's Generative AI: Professional Learning Community (PLC) will be hosted in Jones 3049 or virtually via Webex and moderated by Dr. Rachel Faerber-Ovaska from YSU Cyberlearning. Light refreshments will be provided. 

• Thursday, February 29, 3-4 PM - How can I get started using generative AI? A Practical Exploration (bring your laptop!) - This first meeting of our new Professional Learning Community (PLC) promises a beginner-friendly introduction to generative AI tools. Together, we’ll delve into a diverse set of free, generative AI tools tailored for text, multimedia, and specialized applications. We'll also begin to explore the capabilities of Copilot, YSU's enterprise-licensed AI assistant. Discover how these new tools can support the analysis of visual and textual data, generate images, and facilitate the brainstorming and text drafting process. In this collaborative environment, we can engage in an informed, critical examination of these technologies, and begin to consider the ethical dimensions associated with integrating generative AI into our work. 
• Thursday, March 21, 3-4 PM - How can we use generative AI in a safe, ethical, equitable way?  - Optional pre-session readings from thought leaders on generative AI will help you get a feel for this topic, and prepare you to discuss how it applies to your own context of practice at YSU. In this meeting we’ll discuss some known dangers and pitfalls associated with using generative AI tools, and find out how other educators are addressing them. We’ll look at some examples of bias, inaccuracies, and deepfakes, and discuss questions of equitable access and intellectual property concerns. Can we require the use of generative AI tools for a class? Is it OK to use a chatbot as a grading assistant? What kind of syllabus statement should I have on AI? What about cheating with AI? Bring your laptop and join us for a critical and constructive dialogue with your colleagues to explore such questions, ensuring a responsible and informed approach to integrating generative AI into our teaching and learning practices. 
• Thursday. April 18, 3-4 PM - How can generative AI tools support faculty research and writing projects? - Discover how generative AI (GAI) tools can be applied to your research and writing projects in this online workshop. We'll explore both research-focused and general-purpose GAI applications that can assist with literature reviews, writing abstracts and outlines, writing summaries, data analysis, and citation management. You'll have a chance to try out some GAI tools in small groups, share tips and use cases with peers, and discuss the ethical and practical considerations of using GAI in academia. By the end of the session, you'll have a better understanding of the available tools and the potential benefits and challenges of integrating GAI into your research and writing projects.