GenAI Works in Progress – Generative AI in Action: Scaffolded Approaches in Health Sciences and STEM

Moderator: Victoria Sheldon, Faculty Liaison Coordinator, Generative AI Pedagogies, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) 
Panelists: Michelle Arnot, Professor, Teaching Stream, Associate Chair, Undergraduate Education, Pharmacology and Toxicology Robert Bentley, Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education Nohjin Kee, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Physiology 

Join us for an engaging panel discussion as part of our “Generative AI Works in Progress” series, showcasing innovative applications of generative AI in teaching and learning. This session will feature three U of T instructors from the Health Sciences and STEM disciplines who have successfully integrated generative AI into their curricula using scaffolded approaches. These methods not only support student engagement but also encourage students to critically evaluate AI generated content, fostering a deeper understanding of the implications and ethical considerations of using AI in their respective fields. Using an intentional design that foregrounds iterative learning and future-focused skill development, students become adaptive learners, capable of refining their skills and knowledge through continuous feedback and practice. Each instructor in today’s roundtable demonstrates the value of centering the process of learning over the product, enabling students to develop skills in critical thinking, attribution, and analysis.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this panel, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify effective scaffolded approaches for integrating Generative AI into Health Sciences and STEM education. 
2. Understand the importance of critical thinking and ethical considerations when using generative AI in teaching. 
3. Apply strategies to help students develop competencies and comfort with generative AI as iterative learners. 
4. Gain insights from real-world examples and experiences shared by the panelists. 

 The GenAI Works in Progress Series This is a CTSI/DLI programming effort designed to encourage an ongoing, open institutional-level conversation about generative AI in teaching and learning and to create a space for experimentation, sharing and problem-solving. These one-hour presentations will be targeted towards a broad teaching and learning audience where presenters can share current questions, ideas, inquiries or works in progress with a community of peers. Understanding that many of us are still in the early stages of navigating the realm of generative AI, we want to emphasize that these sessions are not intended to showcase definitive answers or practices, rather we are interested in the questions, challenges and learning currently being explored