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Developing best teaching and learning practices for the professional use of AI
in Life Sciences Higher Education
To be held on 23 and 24 October 2024
at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb
ICA-Edu aims to provide the opportunity to discuss, evaluate and deliver innovative approaches in higher education provided by Life Sciences Universities in support of the European and global agenda for the circular bioeconomy (agriculture, forestry, food, biobased economy), sustainable use of natural resources, biodiversity, rural development and the environment
A Workshop focus
In this 24 hour workshop (from lunctime to lunchtime) the focus will be on exploring and enhancing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in Life Sciences Higher Education. Participants will engage in discussions, case studies, and practical sessions aimed at developing effective teaching and learning practices that leverage AI to advance education in the field of life sciences.
The Workshop is offered as a hybrid event. The ICA-Edu Executive Committee strongly encourages you to attend the Workshop in person to fully gain the benefit of the interaction between delegates in the discussions following the keynotes and in the discussion groups. You have also the opportunity to contribute Case Studies to extend the perspective of the Keynotes see the detailed programme.
B Expected Outcomes
- An enhanced understanding of the current state, benefits, concerns, and challenges of integrating AI in Life Sciences Higher Education.
- The identification of practical opportunities for integrating AI into curricula, with a focus on Bachelor and Master level degree programs.
- The development of authentic assessment scenarios that leverage AI, providing participants with actionable insights for future implementation in their educational contexts.
C Target audience
This workshop is tailored for Bachelor and Master level degree programme coordinators, lecturers, and members of committees responsible for the (strategic) development of curricula in life sciences. Additionally, students with an interest in AI and its applications in higher education are invited to participate.
D Programme
Wednesday 23rd October
12.15 |
Registration and lunch |
13.15 |
Welcome and introduction to the Workshop’s aims |
Session 1 |
Overview of AI in Higher Education |
13.30 |
Keynote: The current state of AI in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education |
14.00 |
Keynote: Articulation of the concerns from an educational manager regarding the impact of AI in teaching and learning |
14.30 |
Group Discussion of the benefits, concerns and challenges |
15.15 |
Coffee Break |
Session 2 |
Learning from Institutional Response to AI in teaching and Learning and the implementation of Guidelines |
15.45 |
Keynote: How Ghent University is addressing the use of generative AI in teaching and learning |
16.15 |
Call for 2 Case Studies of Institutional Response to AI in teaching and Learning and implementation of Guidelines |
16.45 |
Group Discussion on the diversity of institutional response |
17.30 |
Concluding comments and closure for the day |
18.00 |
ICA-Edu General Assembly |
20.00 |
Dinner |
Thursday 24th October
Session 3 |
integrating AI into Assessment |
9.00 |
Keynote: Reimagining Authentic Assessment: The Power (And Some Peril) Of Generative AI |
9.30 |
Group activity to discuss/ brainstorm the design of authentic assessment scenarios in the context AI |
10.15 |
Coffee break |
10.45 |
Call for 2 case studies where AI competency has been successfully implemented within course and module design |
11.15 |
Small Group work assessing the potential and current challenges for the successful integration of AI in teaching in the life sciences |
12.00 |
Report Back |
12.30 |
Closing |
13.00 |
Lunch |
E Organising Committee
Julian Park, Chair ICA-Edu Executive Committee & Former Pro-Vice Chancellor Education and Student Experience, Professor of Agricultural Systems, University of Reading, UK
Teodor Ioan Trasca, Vice Chair ICA-Edu Executive Committee & Vice-Rector, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine - Bucharest, RO
Stefano Cesco - Former Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen Bolzano, Bolzano, IT
Kristina Kljak – Vice Dean for International and Interinstitutional Cooperation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, HR
Marta Mendel – Vice Rector for International Co-operation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, PL
Janna Pietikäinen, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI
Mieke Uyttendaele – Faculty Director of Education & Internationalisation, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Ghent, BE
Simon Heath, Deputy Secretary General, Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA)