Acknowledging GenAI Presence in Education

The emergence of generative AI is transforming how we teach, learn, write, and think. However, instead of responding with fear or blame (“We’ll lose our jobs!” or “Students won’t learn!” or “All skills will be gone”), let’s approach this transformation more intentionally and thoughtfully. As educators, let’s “be kind, be calm, be safe” and revisit our pedagogy and ground ourselves in our core teaching values.

Our mission, as educators, is cultivating GenAI literacy among our academic community and creating meaningful learning experiences with GenAI that can enhance human qualities and values.

Teaching and Learning with GenAI Toolkit

Whether you’re excited, curious, cautious, or somewhere in between, the BCcampus GenAI in Teaching and Learning Toolkit serves as your companion in exploring AI’s role in teaching and learning, especially in higher education settings. The toolkit advocates for a more nuanced approach, thoughtfully evolving our existing pedagogical practice. The focus is on cultivating GenAI literacy within our educational communities while building upon the strong foundation of proven teaching and learning principles that have always guided effective education.

What This Toolkit Offers

This resource is more than just a guide—it’s a space for reflection, exploration, and growth. We recognize that while some educators are already experimenting with GenAI in their classrooms, others may feel overwhelmed or unsure about where to begin. This toolkit meets you wherever you are on this journey, providing:

• A foundation for understanding GenAI and its implications for education
• Practical, hands-on approaches to exploring GenAI tools
• Ethical frameworks for responsible implementation
• Strategic guidance for integrating GenAI into your teaching practice
• Resources for fostering community dialogue and collaborative learning

What You’ll Find Inside

The toolkit is structured into three parts:

Part 1: GenAI Basics

This section covers the fundamental aspects of generative AI, starting with an introduction to what GenAI is and why it holds potential and concerns for educators. It introduces common GenAI tools, explores effective interaction with these technologies through prompt literacy, and discusses the exploration and learning processes within GenAI platforms.

Part 2: Ethical and Creative Use

Building on the basics, this module addresses the ethical dimensions of using GenAI in education. It includes discussions on academic integrity, the crafting of GenAI-inclusive syllabi and guidelines, and creative ways to integrate GenAI into teaching practices.

Part 3: Reflection, Response and Creation to Flourish with GenAI

This section helps you move from understanding and surviving towards action and flourishing by addressing GenAI challenges through practical reflection and responses, creating custom GenAI tools for your teaching context, and supporting digital wellbeing in the age of AI.

Modules at a Glance

Part 1: GenAI Basics

Module 1: Introduction to Generative AI

• Overview of GenAI and its relevance in education.
• Exploration of common GenAI tools and their potential uses and limitations.

Module 2: Exploring GenAI tools in Higher Education

• Introduction to common GenAI platforms used in education.
• Applying a sandbox approach to learning about these tools.

Module 3: Prompt Literacy

• Understanding and mastering the art of effective prompt design to optimize interactions with GenAI.

Part 2: Ethical and Creative Use

Module 4: Teaching GenAI Ethics

• Discussing ethical, legal, and societal issues surrounding the use of GenAI in education.

Module 5: Academic Integrity and GenAI

• Integrating resources and guidelines to uphold academic integrity in the context of GenAI.

Module 6: Enhancing Human Elements in Designing Learning with GenAI

• Detailed exploration of innovative applications of GenAI in designing learning experiences that enhance critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, and foster empathy and personalization.

Module 7: Designing Assessment in the Age of GenAI

• Reimagining assessment strategies that can foster authentic and meaningful learning, enhance student engagement, and maintain academic integrity

Part 3: Reflection, Response and Creation to Flourish with GenAI

Module 8: Reflect and Respond to GenAI Uglies

• Discussing some practical individual and collective steps in response to some concerns related to GenAI in education

Module 9: Create Your Own GenAI Assistant

• Exploring ways to use local AI
• Learning to create custom ChatGPT to support teaching and student learning

Module 10: Supporting Digital Wellbeing in the Age of GenAI

• Discussing ways to stay digitally healthy when teaching with GenAI

How to Use the Toolkit

Each module includes module overview, some key takeaways, practical examples, activities, and reflection prompts.

As you progress through the toolkit, we encourage you to:

• Take your time with each section
• Try out the practical exercises
• Reflect on how the concepts apply to your specific teaching context
• Connect with colleagues to share insights and experiences
• Contribute to this important conversation by sharing how you and your institution approach this transformation