Submissions (3)
Accepted (3):
Beyond the Bot: Preserving Curiosity & Critical Thought in Higher Education — Jaclyn Bunch <jbunch@southalabama.edu>
As generative AI reshapes higher education, faculty face urgent questions about isolation, integrity, and the future of human-centered learning. This panel explores “Human in the Loop” as a pedagogical design principle rather than a technical safeguard. Aligning with the conference theme, we examine how courses can foreground judgment, creativity, ethical reasoning, and social learning in an AI-saturated environment. Faculty from Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration, will share concrete strategies, including assignment redesigns that require meaningful human intervention, structured reflection on AI use, and approaches that combat online isolation. Through short presentations and guided audience dialogue, we will model inclusive engagement while inviting participants to reflect on their own course design. Attendees will leave with practical tools for preserving humanity, agency, and intellectual curiosity across in-person, online, and experiential learning environments. ## Presenters - Jaclyn Bunch <jbunch@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Dalten Fox <daltenfox@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Thomas Shaw <tshaw@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Charles Wu <wu@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Xiaohong Wang <wang@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Scott Liebertz <sliebertz@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Jeff Rush <jeffreyprush@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama
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Building Value in Human Writing in First-Year Composition Courses — Hanh-Nhan Tran <ht1923@jagmail.southalabama.edu>
How can instructors modify their courses to help students see the value of and build their confidence in human writing in an age of ubiquitous generative AI? As graduate teaching assistants of composition, the panelists interact with students from varieties of backgrounds with broad spectrums of levels of motivation for completing their own work unaided by unapproved uses of AI. The panelists will review results of AI-related assessments and experiences with unauthorized AI use in the classroom to better understand student perspectives on AI-generated work compared to their own writing and the motivations behind continued use of prohibited tools. The panelists will share changes they have implemented in their classrooms as a result of this data, including extending deadlines to reduce student stress, clarifying benchmarks for quality writing, and soliciting student feedback. Finally, panelists will discuss their next steps for connecting students’ values to coursework and maintaining healthy student-instructor relationships. ## Presenters - Hanh-Nhan Tran <ht1923@jagmail.southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Anna Van Derwood <akv1323@jagmail.southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Honor Perkins <hwp2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Kaytlin Thornton <krt1822@jagmail.southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama
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Expanding Instructional Modalities with Purposeful Video Use — Jennifer Ostrosky <jennifer.ostrosky@jove.com>
As student learning needs become increasingly dynamic, faculty are exploring non-traditional instructional media to improve comprehension, engagement, and retention. This interdisciplinary panel examines how video can strategically serve as pre-lab and pre-lecture preparation, support foundational concept review in upper-level courses, diversify in-class content delivery, and function as a formative assessment. This moves beyond passive content delivery and explores intentional use of video and other media as a way to deepen engagement and improve learning outcomes. Professors spanning Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Exercise Physiology will share practical examples demonstrating measurable improvements in student preparedness, concept mastery, and engagement. Panelists will describe implementation strategies, assessment approaches, and lessons learned. Participants will engage in guided reflection to identify a course challenge and outline a human-centered video integration strategy. Attendees will leave with adaptable models that support varied learning needs while maintaining the integral social learning environment central to higher education. ## Presenters - Jennifer Ostrosky <jennifer.ostrosky@jove.com>, Jove - Rick O’Brien <robrien@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Neil Schwarz <neilschwarz@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Padmamalini Thulasiraman <pthulasiraman@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama - Clive Woods <clivewoods@southalabama.edu>, University of South Alabama
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