Artificial intelligence is reshaping how students learn, think, and create—but are they ready for it? This session offers educators practical strategies to build AI literacy in the classroom, focusing on guiding students to use AI tools responsibly while strengthening their critical thinking. Participants will explore ways to foster thoughtful discussions, examine ethical implications, and design activities that promote meaningful engagement with AI. You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas—such as structured prompts for classroom debate or reflection tools for evaluating AI output—to help students become informed, empowered, and reflective users of emerging technologies.

Facilitator bio:
B. Jean Mandernach, Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research on Teaching at Grand Canyon University. Her research focuses on enhancing student learning experiences in the online classroom through innovative instructional and assessment strategies. She explores strategies for integrating efficient online instruction in a manner that maximizes student learning, satisfaction, and engagement. In addition, she has interests in artificial intelligence, innovative faculty development and evaluation models, teaching and learning analytics, emergent instructional technology, and faculty workload considerations. Jean is an active researcher, author, presenter, and consultant in the field of online and technology-enhanced education.