Discovery Series: AI Support Tools for Teaching, Learning, and Research

Scott Warren

Topic: AI Support Tools for Teaching, Learning, and Research

Speaker: Scott J. Warren

Date: November 28, 2023 from 11:00 a.m.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being released at an ever-growing rate, promising to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our work tasks. An important area where these tools are increasingly applied is academic settings to support learning, research, and teaching tasks. Many research and teaching tasks can be onerous and time consuming, so AI tools have been released that can make analysis, literature review, grading, course development, writing and other academic work easier to complete.

In this session, the following will be discussed:

  • The opportunities of AI to support radical innovation in the research and education activities
  • Several current AI tools that may simplify academic and teaching tasks
  • The inherent risks of AI, such as AI hallucinations, malicious code injections, and data hostage-taking that create risks for becoming reliant on these tools
  • How to balance the value of AI for innovation with the challenges it poses in different areas
  • How to create policies and practices that allow users to benefit from AI tools for research and teaching while also protecting them from exploitation

Bio: Scott Warren is a Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program in the Department of Learning Technologies at UNT. He received in 1998 a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Houston and in 2006 a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University-Bloomington. Dr. Warren's interests include the use of existing and emerging technologies to improve student literacy, motivation to learn, achievement, and positive experiences with school, especially in K-16 settings. Research interests include studying the use of technologies such as digital learning environments, off-the-shelf and designed games and simulations, and instances where these intersect with more traditional, non-digital curricular materials such as text books, literature, and oral storytelling, and teacher preparation for the use of each.