The academic and popular media is rife with reports about ChatGPT and other large language models. Pundits predict generative AI tools will inspire innovation, plagiarism, and other positive and negative consequences; professors ponder how to deal with them; and students wonder if it’s OK to use them.

To help UMKC faculty understand these tools, their potential, and their limits, four experts will make brief presentations and field questions during an informational session from 1-2 p.m. Friday, March 3, in Zoom.

Dr. Antonio Byrd of the English Department will address how large language models call for education in "AI literacy," what such education involves for students and teachers, and how the social construction of AI literacy will matter just as much as the competencies needed to use AI.

Teaching Professor Brian Hare of the Division of Computing, Analytics, and Mathematics Computer Science will discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and quirks of generative AI and the tools trying to detect its handiwork.

 Dr. Marcus Meade, the UMKC Graduate Student Writing Specialist, will consider how the discourse surrounding large language models like ChatGPT has sparked questions about how to teaching writing in a world where computers can "write for students.” Although people offer solutions based on innovative forms of student surveillance, Dr. Meade contends some of the solutions may be found by adopting previously established principles of good writing pedagogy.

 Dr. Thomas Ferrel, Director of the UMKC Writing Studio, will suggest building AI literacy(s) gives faculty an opportunity to learn from and with our students. What are some of the action research questions we can ask? New developments in generative AI also give provide impetus to reteach and practice the habits of mind described in the Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing (https://ncte.org/statement/collwritingframework/).

Dr. Molly Mead and Dr. Henrietta Rix Wood will act as facilitators of the panel. This panel is sponsored by the UMKC Center for Faculty Excellence (CAFE) and the University Writing and Reading Board (UWRB).

Zoom Meeting URL:  https://umsystem.zoom.us/j/94490152165

Meeting ID: 944 9015 2165