Taking a Collaborative Approach to AI and Education

Instrumental in bringing Edge’s recent AI Teaching & Learning Symposium to Seton Hall, Renee Cicchino, Director of Instructional Design & Training at Seton Hall University’s Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, was interested in how AI was impacting teaching, learning, and student experiences at local universities. “I saw in real time the ongoing challenges instructors faced as they tried to keep pace with this ever-changing technology. I also knew of several institutions conducting research in AI to address these issues,” says Cicchino. “Attending an Edge event sparked my interest in a potential partnership to co-host a small AI symposium focused on exploring these growing pains, sharing policies and best practices, and fostering meaningful discussions. No matter where an educational institution is on its AI journey, we all share the collective goal of supporting and equipping students with the skills they need for success after graduation.”

The AI Teaching & Learning Symposium was a huge success with attendees, presenters, and sponsors coming from around the region and beyond. “The overwhelming interest and diverse participation in this event highlight the growing excitement and necessity for AI integration in education,” says Cicchino. “I was taken aback by Dr. Robbie Melton’s proposal from Tennessee State University. She presented purposeful AI integration in education and it was fantastic! The variety of proposals we received—whether AI played a minor or major role—was eye-opening and demonstrated AI’s potential for positive impact while understanding its limitations. Most importantly, the symposium introduced AI in a digestible way and raised many questions that will help inspire ongoing conversations.”

“The overwhelming interest and diverse participation in this event highlight the growing excitement and necessity for AI integration in education. I was taken aback by Dr. Robbie Melton’s proposal from Tennessee State University. She presented purposeful AI integration in education and it was fantastic! The variety of proposals we received—whether AI played a minor or major role—was eye-opening and demonstrated AI’s potential for positive impact while understanding its limitations. Most importantly, the symposium introduced AI in a digestible way and raised many questions that will help inspire ongoing conversations.”

— Renee Cicchino
Director of Instructional Design & Training, Seton Hall University

reneecicchino

Sharing Experiences and Insights
The symposium began with a student panel, Experiencing Generative AI Insights from the Legal Foundations of Business, Disruption, Technology & Law, and Advanced Topics, and gave Seton Hall students an opportunity to discuss their experiences engaging with generative AI (GenAI) tools in their coursework. “We heard from students about their needs, their perspectives on how AI is changing how they learn, and how these tools enhance their educational experiences,” says Cicchino. “The panel highlighted the positive aspects of AI use, including how personalized and interactive feedback can guide the development of students’ writing rather than simply doing the work for them. This session was extremely valuable for educators and decision-makers to understand students’ needs and how institutions can enhance student success during college and as they transition into the workforce.”

Impressed and excited by the variety of schools that attended the symposium, Cicchino said the event exceeded her expectations. “I was thrilled to see participants from other states and local colleges with whom we don’t have the opportunity to connect as often, as well as our long-time colleagues from Lackawanna College, King University, New York University, and Montclair State University. Everyone was excited to learn and collaborate, and I can’t say enough about the Edge team for working tirelessly to organize this successful event.”

The symposium underscored the vast potential of AI in education, and Seton Hall is committed to continuing its exploration of AI’s ethical use, data security, and best practices across disciplines. “This summer, we are researching best practices and AI use statements for faculty to include in their syllabi,” says Cicchino. “We aim to explore how AI is leveraged in various disciplines and explore the ethical and data security concerns surrounding AI. We hope to harness this technology’s power responsibly and ethically.”

In reflecting on the attendance and sold-out event, Cicchino says people want to participate because they want answers. “Understanding how other institutions tackle changes in teaching and learning is invaluable. Learning from their experiences through collaboration helps us grow in higher education. With AI rapidly evolving, it’s crucial to integrate it sensibly and purposefully into our curriculum and daily lives. We are dedicated to ensuring our students are well-prepared to succeed in an AI-driven future.”

View Article in View From The Edge Magazine