In 2023, University of Virginia Provost Ian Baucom wrote a letter to faculty and graduate instructors announcing that Brie Gertler, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Commonwealth Professor of Philosophy, would appoint a task force to review Generative Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) role in teaching and learning at the University. Commencing in March of the same year, the Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Task Force was charged with identifying opportunities and challenges posed by Gen-AI, researching how peer institutions were responding to the emergence of the technology and facilitating conversations amongst University community members.
The task force, comprised of the chair of UVA’s Honor Committee and six faculty members with expertise in AI, pedagogy and the intersection of those fields, released a report in June 2023 summarizing their findings and recommendations. Recommendations covered both immediate and long-term actions for the University, understanding that “effective action now could yield significant returns by helping professors understand the potential of Generative AI and make smart choices that increase the chance that AI will be managed in ways that preserve and enhance learning.”
Among its recommendations, the task force called for the development of resources for faculty to ensure they could “respond to these technological developments thoughtfully and effectively.”
Heeding this call, Gertler initiated the development of a Gen-AI course for UVA faculty. She assembled a cross-University team which would offer the experience, knowledge and connections needed to develop a resource that would serve as a point of education, reference and training for faculty members.
Given the School of Continuing & Professional Studies’ history of innovation and leaning into technology to deliver high-quality education, SCPS Director of Instructional Design Kevin Lucey was tapped to be the course’s instructional designer and project manager. Lucey was pleased to lend his experience in developing impactful and engaging online learning experiences.
The effort was co-led by Gertler and Michael Palmer, Barbara Fried Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. It is truly a University-wide endeavor: the project team and faculty advisory group include faculty and staff from nine schools, the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Library.
The course launched this week in Canvas for faculty but may be accessed by request by others at UVA. Watch a brief informational video about the course below. The course consists of four core modules, which provide for fundamental understanding as well as deep dives into content areas for those who desire more extensive learning. All modules are asynchronous and located in UVACanvas, so faculty can refer to the information on demand and as desired.
The modules include a range of content designed to help faculty to understand the implications of Gen-AI for teaching. UVA students will share ways that they are using Gen-AI to assist their learning and identify the kind of guidance they wish their instructors would offer. Faculty experts describe how this technology works, what it does well (and poorly), ethical and legal implications of using it, and the role it may play in the world students will enter after graduation. Faculty members who have experimented with this technology share ideas for using it to develop course materials, for teaching students about this technology, and for incorporating it into class activities or assignments.
Lucey admits developing the course was complex given Gen-AI is a new and rapidly evolving area. As such, there was never a singular expert to advise on course content. The project team relied on each of their broad networks across the University to identify individuals who could contribute knowledge and research.
Understanding that any resource for the University must reflect the needs and experiences of the groups it serves, the team gathered input from a Faculty Advisory Committee and a Student Advisory Committee to ensure they heard a range of perspectives, expertise and feedback to guide their work. “This is a truly collaborative effort,” shared Gertler. “Dozens of faculty across Grounds contributed content directly, served as informal consultants, or gave feedback as part of the advisory group; students in several schools shared their experiences with this technology or served as advisors; staff members from various units lent their expertise; and alumni from a range of programs described how they are using this technology in their respective fields, providing glimpses into what our graduates can expect to encounter when they enter the workplace.”
The team believes the value the course will provide outweighs the effort required for its creation, particularly for the diverse faculty it will serve. As the UVA Generative AI in Teaching and Learning Task Force stated in their report, “because faculty are primarily responsible for course design, the onus to adapt to the presence of this new technology will inevitably fall on them.”
Interested in learning more about Gen AI at UVA, including guidance and resources for faculty and students?
- Explore the Provost's Generative AI in Teaching and Learning webpage
- Explore Lib Guide: Generative AI at UVA
- Explore the UVA-Supported Gen-AI tool, Copilot Chat