A Days Journey through the AI @ URI 2.0 Summit

Come with me on a journey exploring AI in teaching learning @ URI. It began as the URI Academic Summit welcomed faculty back to campus in January to discuss AI @ URI 2.0. Opening the event, a URI panel of staff, administration and faculty discussed where URI has come since the last Academic Summit in 2024 on AI and the future based on recommendations from the AI task force report. It is important to clarify that AI includes machine learning, neural networks, and robotics (around for decades), most of the topics for today’s summit address the narrower field of AI: generative AI which became rapidly widespread through open source products (such as ChatGPT). 

Innovative AI Integration in Teaching and Learning Breakout Session

This session explored the innovative ways faculty are incorporating AI into their classrooms. We heard from URI faculty, who are listed below, who have used AI for activities such as group work, individual projects, and programming assignments. Discussion included understanding the impact of AI on student learning and engagement and best practices for motivating students to use these tools effectively.

AI in Business Assignment for Game Creation

Christy Ashley, Marketing/Business
Christy Ashley discussed how students in her business courses made choices about AI tools for game creation. A guest speaker from Hasbro shared insights into how games are developed, and then she showed an example of the differences in game development using AI. Students often approached AI by simplistically replicating her work, not developing their own game creation.

Additionally, there were realtime considerations that impacted the use of the AI such as loading issues. Ashley highlighted the value of experimenting with new approaches in the classroom, experiencing mistakes, and thoughtfully reflecting on how to improve them for future use.

AI in Classroom Discussions and Assignments

Steven Atlas, Marketing/Business
Steven Atlas explored AI’s integration into classroom discussions, embedding learning about AI through discussion forums. He expressed the importance of determining clear parameters for the students. He also introduced optional AI supplements to assignments, allowing students to experiment with AI-generated content and refine their understanding.

For final projects, Steven encouraged students to use AI to develop research questions and benchmark AI behavior against human decision-making. This approach, particularly in marketing research, allowed students to explore how AI processes information differently from humans.

AI in Biology Education

Nic Fisk, Cell & Molecular Biology
Computational biologist and education researcher Nic Fisk emphasized designing assignments suiting the desired learning outcome, which may include how AI is used in research. They contrasted Google and ChatGPT in long-term retention, generalizability, and transfer of skills developed using these tools. They also noted that students’ frustration when they encounter AI-generated errors provides opportunities for learning. For example, prompting a generative AI and identifying missing nuances or important details can help students focus on the interesting elements of their writing or research.

AI’s Analytical Power in Research: Will and Christy

Will and Christy
Will and Christy discussed examining AI’s capabilities in deep analytics, contrasting human limitations with AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data. They highlighted how AI can significantly enhance research methodologies, but also raised concerns about over-reliance on AI-generated insights.





AI in Philosophy and Writing

Will Krieger
Will Krieger explored AI’s role in philosophical writing, emphasizing structured approaches to AI-assisted writing. Writing has always been the way we thought we need to assess philosophy. He has been exploring the outcomes of assignments and courses to consider integrating AI into the process. He implemented a three-submission assignment:

1 – A written detailed prompt asking for a detailed outline specifying sources, material, and objectives.
2 – Use AI to generate a structured essay based on the outline.
3 – Refine the AI-generated material into a final human-authored submission.

This three-submission assignment increases the instructor workload for assessing. Will found that this method worked well for half of the students, reinforcing the idea that specificity in AI prompting leads to better outputs.

AI’s Analytical Power in Research: Will and Christy

Vanessa Harwood
Vanessa Harwood, from the Communication Disorders field, discussed AI’s impact on speech-language pathology as it relates to the arduous chore of phonetic transcription. She noted that while AI can transcribe adult speech accurately, it often struggles with pediatric speech, and more so speech sound disorders.

However, AI tools can significantly reduce documentation time by encoding phonetic transcriptions that are arduous. She advocated for a three-step AI-assisted process that improves efficiency without sacrificing accuracy, where there is a cross check of AI output, ultimately reducing the time spent on transcribing and increasing the time spent with patients. 



Session Wrap Up: AI as a Tool for Thoughtful Integration

The panel concluded with a call for thoughtful AI integration in education. Faculty recognized AI’s ability to create efficiencies, but have also emphasized that it should not replace critical thinking. By understanding AI’s strengths and limitations, faculty can design courses that leverage AI’s benefits while maintaining academic rigor.

Keynote: Courage, AI Systems, and Troubles We Cannot Avoid

Dr. Vance Ricks

Dr. Ricks delved into AI ethics, discussing values in AI design, issue-spotting, and professional responsibilities. He introduced concepts of moral and techno-moral courage, drawing on Shannon Valor’s philosophy of ethical AI use. Key themes included:

  • The importance of intelligent hope and intelligent fear in AI adoption.
  • Recognizing AI as a socio-technological system embedded in broader social contexts.
  • Ethical considerations surrounding AI-driven decisions, especially in teaching and evaluation.

Broader Implications for Teaching Practices


Faculty acknowledged that both students and professors could misuse AI, raising concerns about academic integrity. The conversation emphasized:

  • The historical parallels between AI and past technological fears in advancements like Y2K, calculators, and Wikipedia.
  • The need for well-structured assignments that encourage critical engagement with AI.
  • Institutional approaches to shaping AI adoption in education, balancing efficiency with depth of learning.
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Ultimately, AI’s role in education will continue to evolve, and educators should remain adaptive, ensuring that AI serves as an enhancer to rather than a replacement for meaningful learning.
– Dr. Amanda Jensen

Information Technology Services (ITS) is excited to announce an updated process for Brightspace integrations that aims to:

  • Reduce the technical burden on faculty
  • Save time

Starting in August 2024, ITS will handle the addition of all LTI integrations to Brightspace. Throughout the Fall semester, we will upgrade older LTI 1.1 integrations to the current LTI 1.3 standard. These steps are designed to ensure the security of faculty intellectual property and student private information. ITS will support you throughout the integration configuration and migration process.

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We encourage the submission of integration requests during July or early August to ensure the review process is completed before the upcoming semester. ITS will be sending out further communication in the coming days, along with opportunities to connect with our team, answer questions, and address concerns. Please do not hesitate to reach out. In the meantime, you may submit a support desk ticket here, attend an ITS Zoom drop-in, or visit us in the Carothers Library, Room 227, during business hours.

About LTI

Integrating third-party applications into URI’s learning management system (LMS), Brightspace, provides faculty and students with new and exciting ways to engage with their learning. These integrations are often accomplished using the Learning Tools Interoperability, commonly known as LTI, standard.

LTI integrations offer enhanced security, streamlined administration, and valuable data sharing between Brightspace and third-party applications. For a number of years, LTI has used the 1.1 standard, which provided basic functions such as streamlined student logins, links to content, grade pass-back… and a baseline level of security. The newest LTI standard, 1.3, builds upon these strengths and offers a significantly more modern security framework, ensuring better protection of student and faculty data as it passes between systems.

On top of LTI 1.3 is a set of tools called LTI Advantage. LTI Advantage leverages all the security capabilities of LTI 1.3 and adds functional improvements such as:

Automated Roster Creation:
See which students are in your class and who has registered with the third-party tool.

Enhanced Assignments and Grades: View the status of an assignment instead of just passing a single numeric grade back to Brightspace.

Deep Linking: Set up links to specific parts of a third-party tool (e.g., a chapter in a book), whereas LTI 1.1 only allowed links to the tool as a whole.

It’s important to note that not every third-party application supports all the functions described here. Some only offer LTI 1.1 connections, others LTI 1.3, and some offer a combination of LTI Advantage enhancements. After a requested integration is approved, the IT Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) team will collaborate with the vendor to configure the integration and leverage all available tools.

Please connect with the TLS team via a Service Desk ticket to start enhancing your courses with LTI integrations.

Sources:

Clark, J. (2023, September 1). What is LTI advantage? – edlink. Edlink Community. https://ed.link/community/lti-advantage/#:~:text=LTI%20Advantage%20is%20a%20set,Deep%20Linking.

Clark, J. (2023a, March 8). LTI advantage explained – Edlink. Edlink Community. https://ed.link/community/eli5-lti-advantage/

Learning tools interoperability. Learning Tools Interoperability | IMS Global Learning Consortium. (n.d.). https://www.imsglobal.org/activity/learning-tools-interoperability

As a Land and Sea Grant University, URI has a responsibility to disseminate research and knowledge to Rhode Islanders and beyond. This task is about to become much easier with the implementation of Course Merchant on the Brightspace Engage platform.

Course Merchant

Course Merchant is a professional and user-friendly storefront that integrates seamlessly with Engage. Members of the public who wish to engage with URI by taking a professional development class, training, or other non-credit bearing course will be able to:

Image showing open door on a laptop screen
  • Easily search for available classes
  • Submit payment
  • Automatically create an Engage user account
  • Automatically enroll in the Engage class

This will create an inviting digital front door for community members and streamline administrative workflows for staff.

The Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) team is currently beginning the implementation process and is eager to connect with faculty, staff, and departments interested in leveraging this tool. For more information, please contact Kevin Gray, IT Project Leader, at kevingray@uri.edu.

Tools and Technology for Evaluating Learning

Register Here

We are excited to be using the Zoom Platform again this year.

SAVE the DATE: August 22, 2024
https://its.uri.edu/tls/tech-day/


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We are thrilled to invite all faculty members to join us in a journey exploring and embracing EdTech for evaluating learning. Whether you are new to EdTech or a seasoned user, there is something for everyone at TechDay 2024. Together, we can pave the way for a future where technology and education work hand in hand to create enriched learning experiences for our students.

The integration of technology in education has been increasing as technology impacts the work force our students graduate into; also impacted by this shift is the way we look at teaching and learning. The pandemic accelerated this transformation, pushing faculty to adopt digital tools at an unprecedented rate. Our team supports you in the process through exploring and understanding options for evaluating learning using these technologies. Effective evaluation not only helps in assessing student performance but also in enhancing teaching strategies, fostering better learning environments, and ultimately improving educational outcomes.


A sneak peek into what we have lined up:

  • Examples of Tools and Tech for Authentic Assessment of Student Achievement in the Age of AI
  • Using Gradescope: an AI grading tool for programming assignments
  • Connecting Outcomes and Assignments within Brightspace
  • Increasing Digital Exam Integrity with Question Pools

There is still time to add your voice by submitting a proposal or a topic you would like to see presented? Email amanda.jensen@uri.edu.

This virtual event is being designed for you. We hope to see you there.

Summer Tech Illustration


Now that spring 2024 is behind us, we look forward to a refreshing summer filled with opportunities for professional growth and technological advancement. Our IT Teaching and Learning Services Team is ready to support your continued educational journey with a variety of training and support options tailored for our faculty. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your teaching tools or simply keep up with the latest in educational technology, our lineup of summer events and support sessions are designed to help.

Daily Drop-In Faculty EdTech Support
Throughout the summer, we will continue to offer daily drop-in Faculty EdTech Support sessions. These are perfect for quick questions, troubleshooting, or guidance on using a variety of Brightspace features or integrating third-party technologies into your courses. No appointment is necessary—just join the drop-in sessions on Zoom and come by whenever you need assistance!

Rhody EdTech Essentials
Don’t forget about our Rhody EdTech Essentials on August 21, 9 AM to 12 PM. It provides new and current faculty with all the basic educational technology training they require to begin blended and online instruction in Brightspace. Visit the Rhody EdTech Essentials website for details and registration.

Tech Day: A Day of Innovation and Learning
Also, mark your calendars for our annual Tech Day on August 22 from 9 AM to 3 PM. This event is a cornerstone of our commitment to educational technology innovation, featuring multiple tracks and virtual sessions based on a new theme each year. It’s an ideal setting for networking with colleagues and learning from both our EdTech support staff and fellow faculty members. Visit the Tech Day website for details and registration.

Register Now
Please register early for the Rhody EdTech Essentials and Tech Day to secure your spot. These sessions, along with our daily support, are fantastic ways to prepare for the upcoming academic year while staying on the cutting edge of educational technology.

We look forward to supporting your educational technology needs this summer and hope to see you at our daily support sessions, the Rhody EdTech Essentials, and Tech Day. Have a great summer, and let’s take full advantage of these opportunities to enhance our teaching and learning experiences!

Unlocking Your Creative Potential: Access to TechSmith Camtasia and Snagit Software Bundle 2023 Extended!

Image for Access to Camtasia and Snagit Bundle 2023 Extended

Camtasia is a powerful and intuitive tool for capturing, editing and sharing instructional multimedia content. Its versatility empowers instructors to create engaging material that resonates with students. Camtasia integrates with Panopto, allowing you to publish and store your videos directly in Panopto. This collaboration brings forth a more robust approach to crafting captivating videos that leverage Panopto’s captioning and sharing strengths.

New to Camtasia 2023?

How to download Camtasia/Snagit 2023?

Visit the IT Service Page for Camtasia, or IT Service Page for Snagit to obtain comprehensive download instructions for both Camtaisa and Snagit software.
Please note this software is not cloud-based. Remember to review the minimum system requirements prior to downloading the software.
For the contracted 2023 and 2024 versions, an updated software key will be provided to you as part of this process.

For users with earlier versions, it’s possible to maintain multiple versions of the software concurrently. This flexibility enables you to finalize ongoing projects using the older software version while initiating new projects with the new version. When opening a file from a previous version, a warning notice will prompt you before converting it for compatibility with the latest version. To ensure seamless editing of existing files, it’s advisable to keep an original file library and create duplicates to work on in the newer version.

If you run into any issues with accessing or installing the software, please submit a service ticket at: https://uriprod.service-now.com/sp

Enjoy your Semester!

IT Teaching and Learning Services

In early 2021, TechSmith has decided to retire Knowmia Enterprise Service and has announced a strategic partnership with the leading video management system provider, Panopto. The TechSmith and Panopto partnership will leverage TechSmith’s best-in-class screen recording and video editing tools with Panopto’s industry-leading video management system, making it easier for users to create, administer and secure video-based content.

As TechSmith winds down support for Knowmia Enterprise service, we are committed to working with our user community to ensure a smooth transition from Knowmia to Panopto as easy and seamless as possible. This includes video content migration, deep integration with Brightspace, training and support.

Our migration timeline: 

  • August 31, 2021 – Cutoff date for video creation in Knowmia. 

  • March 8, 2022 – Videos created between April 2020 and September 2021 will be migrated and made available in Panopto.

  • Friday, May 22, 2022 – Knowmia contract end date.  After this date, all video links that currently point to Knowmia in Brightspace and/or from the web will NO LONGER work.  Users need to update those video links to the new Panopto links.

Videos created or edited before April 2020 and after September 2021 will NOT be migrated automatically and they need to be moved manually. To submit your request for this process, please send an email to IT Service Desk (helpdesk@uri.edu).

 

Please note that you can migrate your Knowmia content to Panopto on your own if you need to and self-migrating will guarantee that your content will be available as expected.

Watch video on how to migrate on your own

 

 

You can also find text-based step-by-step self-migration directions by visiting the knowledge base article below:
URL: https://kb-interim.its.uri.edu/entry/267/