AI-ALOE Webinar: George Veletsianos Seminar (University of Minnesota)

This talk introduces emergAI, which is an NSF-funded project addressing the following question: How can STEM education researchers develop the knowledge, skills, and judgment needed to use Generative Artificial Intelligence effectively and responsibly in their research efforts?

The project offers STEM education researchers at resource-limited institutions a year-long professional learning experience that combines a five-day, in-person institute with sustained participation in an online community of practice. Throughout the project, the emphasis is on methodological rigor, ethical practice, and thoughtful decisions about when and how to use GenAI in STEM education research.

In this presentation, I will describe the project’s rationale, curriculum, and learning design, provide an overview of the learning activities used in this effort, and share preliminary evaluation results. The presentation will highlight how intensive training, hands-on research activities, and sustained community support are intended to help researchers integrate GenAI into their scholarly work.

By sharing the design, learning activities, and preliminary evaluation results of emergAI, this presentation contributes to ongoing conversations about how STEM education researchers can use GenAI effectively and responsibly in their research efforts.

Bio:

Dr. George Veletsianos is Professor of Learning Technologies at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and the Bonnie Westby Huebner Chair in Education and Technology. His research examines education futures, online learning, and student and faculty experiences with emerging technologies. Formerly a Canada Research Chair, Commonwealth of Learning Chair, and Fulbright scholar, he has led various organizations in advancing educational excellence. He is the PI of Expanding the Methods of Education Researchers with Generative AI (emergAI), a National Science Foundation-funded project.