AI 4 Learning Network (AI4LN)

Exploring the Future of AI in SUNY Learning Environments

The AI for Learning Network (AI4LN) has successfully completed its inaugural cohort, bringing together faculty and staff from across the SUNY system and partner institutions to explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating Generative AI in teaching and learning.

The AI 4 Learning Network, funded by SUNY OER Services and the Axim Collaborative, is a grant project aimed to enhance Generative AI training for faculty at tech and community colleges and HBCUs through collaboration among educational institutions. Collaborators include SUNY, Carnegie Mellon University’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI), California Community Colleges, and UNCF. This initiative provides Generative AI professional development for faculty, focusing on community colleges, technical colleges, and minority-serving institutions.

Goals:

Design, develop, and deploy a national training program to help faculty from broad-access institutions learn how to teach with Generative AI.
Co-design the program with those who will be supported:
- Faculty participants have co-designed and piloted the learning modules.
- Participants from California Community Colleges, the State University of New York, and HBCUs (via the United Negro College Fund).
Create a community of practice amongst faculty learners from broad-access institutions, whose members can continue to support one another.

Program Highlights:

Hands-on exploration of AI tools and technologies
Critical conversations around ethics, bias, and academic integrity
Case studies and real-world use examples from across SUNY
Opportunities to pilot AI-enhanced learning activities and gather feedback

We are grateful to all participants, facilitators, and subject matter experts who made this cohort a success. The work of AI4LN continues through ongoing collaboration and shared resources across the SUNY community.

Communities of Practice

Two of the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who co-designed the learning modules were from SUNY.

23 of the participants who piloted the learning modules and provided feedback for improvement were from SUNY.

Testimonials

“The AI 4 Learning course empowered me to integrate AI into my teaching in ethical, innovative, and practical ways.”

“Faculty should take this course to stay ahead of the curve, enhance student engagement, streamline instruction, and modernize their pedagogy.”

“Through hands-on experience with AI-assisted course design and custom chatbot development, I was able to apply these tools immediately to my own coursework.”

“We need to be able to help our students navigate a world in which AI will be normal and AI literacy skills essential. The course will connect you to a learning community for continued support and equip you with resources designed for educators and to assist learning!”

“I felt that I was already a pro with folding AI into my teaching practice, but this course shed light on the hidden facets of AI that I wasn’t aware of. Now I feel confident about the many ways I can use AI to save time, improve my lessons, and most importantly – provide insights to my students about the ethical use and moral conundrums around artificial intelligence.”

Stay Connected:

The openly licensed AI4LN course modules will be available at no cost to SUNY faculty and staff on the SUNY Ready-to-Adopt catalog at oer.suny.edu.

We encourage those interested in AI and education to stay connected for future opportunities. More updates and future initiatives will be shared through the SUNY Digital Innovation & Academic Services website and communications channels.

For more information or to connect with the AI4LN team, please contact: oer@suny.edu