Learning should be a social experience, so let's talk about the social health and wellbeing of the classroom! How does teaching online isolate us? How can AI help or hurt the social experience?

In this episode of 'AI Goes to College,' host Professor Sarah Stuart is joined by renowned author, educator, and speaker Flower Darby. They discuss the influence of AI on social and mental health, the importance of human connection in teaching, and the balance between technology and traditional educational values. Flower shares practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching while maintaining empathy and emotional presence.

Flower's Bio and Books:

Flower Darby celebrates and promotes effective teaching in all modalities to advance equitable learning outcomes for all students. She's an Associate Director of the Teaching for Learning Center at the University of Missouri. Prior to that, she held roles such as Assistant Dean of Online and Innovative Pedagogies and Director of Teaching for Student Success. These roles have allowed her to build on her experience teaching in person and online for over 28 years in a range of subjects including English, Technology, Education, Leadership, Dance, and Pilates. In her current work and publications, Darby empowers faculty to teach inclusive and equity-focused classes in all modalities. Her recent books include The Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching (2023) and Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes (2019), and she's an internationally sought-after keynote speaker.

References:

Link to Book by Bowen and Watson: Teaching with AI by Jose Bowen and C. Edward Watson

Link to Webinars: Alchemy Webinars