Purdue University Northwest / Center for Faculty Excellence / Programs and Services / Teaching and Learning with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Teaching and Learning with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

See below what the Center for Faculty Excellence is offering in AI Programming!

AI Faculty Readiness (Asynchronous Summer Course)

Available beginning June 1 

This summer, explore practical and pedagogically grounded approaches to generative AI through a flexible, asynchronous learning experience, designed by AI Faculty Fellow Dr. Mark Mabrito, for higher education faculty. The first four modules of the AI Faculty Readiness course will be available to pilot this summer. The course is currently organized into modules that can be completed in any order—allowing you to follow your interests in a “choose your own adventure” format. More modules will be added to the course over time for more learning opportunities. 

Each module is designed to take approximately 30–45 minutes and includes interactive exercises, a core assignment, an optional “bonus” assignment, and curated resources for continued exploration. Dr. Mabrito  will be available for support and feedback throughout your experience. 

Click here to register for the AI Faculty Readiness Course!

What to Expect

  • Self-paced, asynchronous format 
  • Approximately 30–45 minutes per module 
  • Practical, hands-on exploration with immediate classroom relevance 
  • Opportunities to develop materials you can directly apply to your teaching, research, and professional work. 
  • Whether you are just getting started with AI or looking to refine your approach, this course is designed to provide actionable strategies you can use right away. 

Current Module Topics

  • Understanding the Basics of AI
    Learn the foundations of generative AI, what these tools do well, where they struggle, and why human judgment still matters.
  • Student Use and Misuse of AI
    Explore how students are actually using AI, including both productive uses and common concerns like overreliance and plagiarism. You will also begin developing language for your own classroom policies and expectations.
  • Prompting Effectively
    Practice writing prompts and interacting with AI tools in ways that can support teaching, feedback, brainstorming, and discipline-specific work.
  • AI as a Research Companion
    Experiment with ways AI can support research workflows while also learning strategies for verification, evaluation, and critical oversight.

Participation & Micro-Credentials

Faculty are encouraged to engage with the modules in a way that aligns with their goals and availability: 

  • Flexible participation: You may explore the content without submitting any assignments. 
  • Micro-credential option: To earn a digital badge for a module, you must submit the core assignment associated with that module. 
  • Optional extension: Each module also includes a “bonus” assignment for those interested in going deeper. 

There is no requirement to complete all modules—participants may complete one, two, or all four. However, if you complete all four you will receive recognition from the Center for Faculty Excellence for your achievement! 

Fall 2025-June 30, 2026

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are transforming higher education. Whether you’re enthusiastic about the opportunities or concerned about the implications for academic integrity, course design, and student learning, AI is pushing us to reexamine what we teach and how we teach it.

To support thoughtful engagement and pedagogical innovation, the Center for Faculty Excellence is offering access to Teaching with AI, an award-winning, self-paced online course developed by Auburn University’s Biggio Center.

This asynchronous course—designed specifically for higher education instructors—combines critical reflection, practical experimentation, and peer engagement. It takes approximately 5–7 hours to complete and has been recognized nationally for its quality and impact.

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEACHING WITH AI AUBURN COURSE

Space in the course is limited. Faculty interested in participating will need to apply to be enrolled. Enrollment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

What to Expect

  • Flexible and interactive modules. Each module includes structured activities, readings, and discussions that connect course concepts to your own teaching practice.
  • Badging and feedback. You can earn a digital badge for each module by completing all activities and participating in that module’s discussion forum. These discussions are designed to help you reflect on how AI might be used in your classroom, while also giving you the chance to exchange ideas with peers in higher education.
  • Personalized feedback. Your submissions will be reviewed by a staff member of the Center for Faculty Excellence. If needed, you’ll receive feedback and have the chance to revise and resubmit.
  • Capstone recognition. Participants who complete all five modules and earn each individual badge are eligible for the AUAI Experimenter badge by participating in a final capstone discussion. This discussion synthesizes what you’ve learned across the course and is also reviewed with the opportunity for revision if needed.

Added Benefit: Public Recognition

Participants who complete the course and earn the AUAI Experimenter badge will also be recognized at the Center for Faculty Excellence’s Celebrating Excellence event in the spring.

By completing this course, you will:

  • Explore AI and its implications for teaching, learning, and academic integrity
  • Reflect on your own pedagogical values and the role of AI in your teaching philosophy
  • Evaluate examples—strong and flawed—of courses redesigned with AI in mind
  • Redesign assignments using AI tools, receive structured feedback, and iterate
  • Access an evolving repository of research and best practices for teaching with AI
  • Connect with peers to consider AI’s role in higher education more broadly
  • Promote alignment and consistency across your program by discussing AI use with colleagues

Recognition and Quality:

This course received the 2024 Outstanding Program: Noncredit Award from the University and Continuing Education Professional Association (UCPEA) and has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed for its timely design and relevance to faculty across disciplines.

If you’re ready to think critically about AI, test out tools, or simply learn what all the buzz is about, this course offers a supportive, high-quality path forward.