Apply Now: Faculty Summer Mini-Grants for AI Integration in Pedagogy

05/08/2024
By Julie Nash and Kevin Petersen

Objective:

The Summer AI Mini-Grant Program aims to promote the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI or AI) technologies to support teaching and learning practices at UMass Lowell. Developed on the recommendation of the AI Senate Taskforce, the program seeks to engage faculty members new to generative AI, as well as those with more experience, to explore innovative ways of enhancing student engagement and developing the AI literacy of our students and faculty.

The program is designed to accommodate a diverse range of faculty interests and levels of experience with AI. Whether you have a clear project in mind or are just beginning to consider the possibilities of AI in your teaching, we welcome your participation. The program is open to projects of various scales, from the enhancement of a single class activity to the development of more comprehensive critical thinking exercises. We encourage all faculty to apply for support and resources to help you navigate the integration of AI into your pedagogy, regardless of your starting point.

The AI Mini-Grant Program is centered on the human element of education — the faculty and students who bring learning to life. Our aim is to incorporate GAI into teaching and learning, not as a focal point, but as a tool to enhance the classroom experience.

Program Overview:

The program will award stipends of $1,000 to selected faculty members to develop and implement AI-integrated assignments, assessments, activities, or other projects within their existing courses. These projects should be designed to enhance student learning experiences, foster critical thinking about AI, promote the responsible use of AI technologies in education, and boost AI literacy.

Participants will have AI resources, training, and consultations with subject matter experts. All participants will receive a free copy of “Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning” by Jose Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson.

Eligibility: All full-time and senior adjunct faculty members are eligible to apply. Faculty may apply in teams, provided each faculty member incorporates their project in a course.

Proposal Submission and Selection:

• If you already know what you’d like to do:
  Submit a detailed proposal outlining your project objectives, methodology, and anticipated outcomes. The proposal should also include a plan for evaluating the project's impact on student learning and engagement.
• If you’d like to participate, but aren’t sure exactly how:
  Submit an expression of interest, outlining your personal goals and commitment to developing an AI project.

• Alignment with Program or University Learning Outcomes: How does the project help students meet specific outcomes?
• Innovation and Creativity: Does the project sufficiently make use of the technology to enhance student learning?
• Feasibility: Can the project realistically be completed within the given timeframe and with the available resources?
• Assessment plan: Is there a robust plan to assess the project’s impact on student learning and engagement?

• Personal Goals: Does the applicant clearly articulate their goals and what they hope to achieve through AI integration?
• Commitment and Openness: Does the applicant demonstrate a strong commitment to learning about AI integration and an openness to exploring new approaches and technologies?

• Participate in a kick-off meeting and project consultations with program staff or faculty fellows.
• Attend periodic project meetings (no more than three) over the academic year to share progress and collaborate with peers.
• Implement the AI-integrated project in at least one course during the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 semester. (We welcome applications that offer plans to implement in the Fall and refine in the Spring as needed).
• Share experiences and lessons learned through CELT workshops, faculty symposia, or other dissemination opportunities.
• Complete a mid-project survey in December, and a final report at the end of the spring semester documenting the project's outcomes and impact.