The Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo (UB) presents the AI + Education Learning Community Series. In collaboration with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, the Center for Information Integrity and the Institute for Learning Sciences at UB as well as the National Science Foundation/Institute of Education Sciences-funded National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, this series aims to create a collaborative platform for professionals in K-12 and higher education to better understand AI in education.
Together, educational researchers, learning scientists, AI experts, K–12 educators and leaders and practitioners in related fields will explore the vast potential AI holds for personalizing learning and optimizing educational outcomes while addressing potential ethical and equity concerns. The AI + Education Learning Community Series is structured to cater to the multifaceted needs of educators, researchers and practitioners. It seeks to not only deepen the understanding of AI's role in education but also foster connections with potential collaborators and community partners. The AI + Education Learning Community Series is open to all interested professionals in the education sector and related fields.
Scheduled to occur every fourth Tuesday of the month via Zoom from 4 to 5 p.m., the series will kick off on Jan. 23, 2024. Over the subsequent months, a diverse array of topics will be covered, including leveraging machine learning for personalized education, ethical considerations of AI in education, data privacy and security, mental health and well-being innovations, learner engagement and much more.
Date | Time | Topic | Facilitator(s) | Register |
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Jan. 23, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Introduction to AI and Its Use in Educational Settings
To kick off the AI + Education Learning Community Series, this talk will provide a high-level introduction on artificial intelligence (AI) for the audience. Sample topics include some of the most fundamental concepts and principles behind those fancy AI (and machine learning) terminologies, including deep neural networks and ChatGPT. We will then provide a few concrete use cases for AI in the educational setting, including those to be developed at the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education.
Recommended reading list: | Dr. Jinjun Xiong
Dr. Brian Graham | View the Session |
Feb. 27, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m.
| Leveraging Machine Learning for Personalized Education/Special Needs This talk provides an introduction to how machine learning technologies such as generative AI can be used to power innovative applications for personalized education, especially for children with special needs. We explore cutting-edge foundational models (large language models, vision-language models), text-to-image generation models, and multimodal retrieval models, focusing on their use for creating custom educational tools for personalized learning, interventions for speech-language therapies, and screening and intervention for developmental language disorders such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. Join us to discover how advances in AI are being leveraged to open new frontiers for special education at the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education.
Recommended reading list: | Srirangaraj (Ranga) Setlur Managing Director, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education University at Buffalo | View the Session |
March 26, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Navigating Ethical Implications of AI in Education Artificial Intelligence (AI) has provided new personalized opportunities for education. The development of tools that have the promise to benefit education continues to develop rapidly. On the other hand, our understanding of the ethical and societal risks associated with AI technologies has not kept pace. This discussion will dive into some ethical issues educators confront when using AI in the classroom. Privacy, bias and discrimination, surveillance and autonomy will be discussed in the context of K-12 and higher education. | Rachael Hageman Blair
Rachel Kent Career & Technical Education Teacher Buffalo Public Schools Career & Technical Education
Gregory Conley Instructional Technology Coach Buffalo Public Schools
Dr. Loretta Frankovitch Assistant Director of the Office of Academic Integrity University at Buffalo | View the Session |
April 23, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Ensuring Data Privacy and Security The first half of this session focuses on data security, while the second half centers on privacy implications. In turn, Hu and Shankar will explore policies striving to uphold the ethical use of young people’s data. The facilitators will look towards strategies a wide range of stakeholders can employ to strengthen their care for young peoples’ data. The session closes with resources for hosting data ethics dialogues and engaging in decision-making.
| Hongxi Hu Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo Saguna Shankar Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Science, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo | View the Session |
May 28, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Enhancing Mental Health and Wellbeing through AI Innovations Within PK-12 and higher education, there is the need to address mental health and well-being concerns of students and educators as US society struggles with how to address historic systemic inequities, environmental destruction and the lack of socially just political outcomes. This interactive session will first provide a visual overview of publication trends and research on AI, education, and well-being. Then attendees will engage in a thoughtful discussion and reimagining of two trends within an educational context with the goal of building next steps and collective engagement on the possibilities of creating schools, colleges and universities that advance equitable well-being for all. | Paris Wicker Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo Ian Mette Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo | View the Session |
June 25, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Improving Learner Engagement: AI and Humanization The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has predominantly been driven by adult-dominated, profit-motivated, and secretive individuals and organizations. Conversely, a focus on learner engagement (especially with younger learners) can align incentives towards the humans and world(s) for which AI is supposedly designed. The three brief readings that form a foundation for June’s conversation present perspectives of young adolescents and adults who work closely with them. The examples include proofs of concept and liberatory stances on how AI can promote more equitable futures, if (co-)led by young people.
| David Jackson Assistant Professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo | REGISTER |
July 23, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Synergizing AI with Teaching Strategies for Classroom Excellence Participants in this session will explore generative AI tools like ChatGPT to see how they can support educators in routine tasks. They'll delve into a brief history of AI's development and limitations, learn to access and register for ChatGPT, employ effective prompting strategies, and avoid pitfalls. Additionally, they'll discover how to integrate ChatGPT into instruction, fostering a discussion on academic integrity. The content aligns with Harvey Silver's "Thoughtful Classroom Tools for Instruction," illustrating how ChatGPT aids in Organization, Rules and Procedures, Engagement, and Creating a Culture of Learning.
| Mary Howard Grade 6 Teacher, Grand Island Middle School | REGISTER |
Aug. 27, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | AI in Assessment: Crafting Adaptive Learning Experiences | Samuel Abramovich Associate Professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction and the Department of Information Science, Graduate School of Education, University at Buffalo | REGISTER |
Sept. 24, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Immersive Learning with VR and AR Technologies | Christopher Hoadley Professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction in the Graduate School of Education and the Department of Computer Science Education in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Director of the Institute of Learning Sciences, University at Buffalo | REGISTER |
Oct. 22, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Bridging Formal and Informal Learning via AI | Alison Hendricks Assistant Professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences and Validation of Impacts Lead, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, University at Buffalo | REGISTER |
Nov. 19, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Promoting Educational Equity and Accessibility via AI | X. Christine Wang Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Research and Professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction at the Graduate School of Education, Director of the Fisher-Price Early Childhood Research Center, Education and Workforce Development Lead, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, University at Buffalo | REGISTER |
Dec. 17, 2024 | 4 to 5 p.m. | AI Literacies for K-12 Students and Teachers | Christopher Proctor
Ryan Rish | REGISTER |
Jinjun Xiong, PhD
Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
University at Buffalo
Brian Graham, EdD
Superintendent
Grand Island
Published January 23, 2024
Srirangaraj (Ranga) Setlur
Managing Director, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education University at Buffalo
Published February 27, 2024
Rachael Hageman Blair, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
Rachel Kent
Career & Technical Education Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools Career & Technical Education
Gregory Conley
Instructional Technology Coach, Buffalo Public Schools
Loretta Frankovitch, PhD
Assistant Director of UB’s Office of Academic Integrity
Published March 26, 2024
Hongxi Hu, PhD
Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
University at Buffalo
Saguna Shankar, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Science
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
Published April 23, 2024
Paris Wicker, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
Ian Mette, PhD.
Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Graduate School of Education
University at Buffalo
Published May 28, 2024