Faculty Engagement Awards

Offering hardware, software, staff support, and more to help improve teaching and learning through the innovative use of technology.

How It Works

Annually, TLT grants several Faculty Engagement Awards. They focus on a specific theme that brings together sound pedagogy and digital tools that can enhance the educational experience. Award recipients are furnished resources to support their exploration and development of that year’s topic. Each award includes a multi-semester arrangement with an instructional designer and technology support staff who collaborates with faculty to identify the most effective in-class uses of a particular technology. There is an opportunity for one consultation with a TLT researcher to help to assess the impact of this technology and TLT shares relevant findings of the program with the Penn State community.

 

This year’s theme

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Teaching

To foster creativity, productivity, and efficiency within teaching, this year’s awards will focus on the exploration and investigation of generative AI tools for teaching across three categories: text, imagery, and video. These tools encompass a range of features designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

  • Text AI:
    • AI-powered tools for text generation, summarization, and language enhancement.
    • Applications in creating engaging learning materials, automated feedback, and text-based interactions.
  • Imagery AI:
    • AI tools for image generation, enhancement, and analysis.
    • Implementation in visual presentations, content creation, and interpretation of visual information.
  • Video AI:
    • AI-powered video editing, analysis, and enhancement tools.
    • Integration for creating interactive videos, auto-captioning, and improving overall video content.

The focus will be on how to use these from a faculty perspective for instructional use and productivity. This includes using generative AI to assist in instructional design, course planning, and content delivery, as well as generative AI to enhance overall faculty productivity in teaching and administrative tasks including managing and facilitating efficient communication. Two additional optional investigative uses of these technologies include:

  • Personalized learning paths and adaptive assessments
  • Applications in automating routine tasks and managing course logistics

Exposure to these generative AI tools can assist faculty for professional success in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. We are eager to collaborate with faculty to explore the affordances and constraints of utilizing generative AI tools in teaching and to give dedicated support and space to the adaptability to these emerging technologies. Together, we aim to identify best practices and innovative approaches that leverage these tools to elevate the teaching and learning experience in various educational settings.

Faculty Engagement Award Application

Applications for 2024

Project Commitment and Timeline

Selected faculty will be expected to explore various implementations of generative AI of text, images, and video for faculty instructional use and productivity, document innovative approaches during Summer/Fall 2024, and submit a summary report as an artifact. All requirements include:

  • Attend a combined online orientation session and training workshop to the program and how to navigate and utilize generative AI tools.
  • Participate in pedagogical consulting throughout the entire faculty engagement
  • Attend 2-3 virtual meet-ups throughout the process with date selection based upon groups availability
  • Implement innovative approaches of generative AI or text, imagery, and or video for teaching and productivity of one or more courses during Fall 2024
  • Write a summary report, outlining the work of innovative approaches of using generative AI for teaching and productivity of a course, as well as, any implications of implementation to the classroom and student experience with the report intended for a public audience

Faculty who fulfill all faculty engagement requirements will receive access particular technology and dedicated TLT staff support from Summer 2024 through early Spring 2025.

Applications are due Friday, April 19th, 2024. Proposals selected for funding will be announced in May 2024. For more information, contact Amy Kuntz at aer13@psu.edu.

The TLT Faculty Engagement Awards allowed me to provide my students with meaningful learning experiences, using mobile technology – in other words, meeting the students where they are, allowing students to leverage the mobile skills they use everyday to investigate Computer Science principles and concepts. Without the Faculty Engagement Award, providing these types of learning experiences for my students would be very difficult.
Jeffrey A. Stone

Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology

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