Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Tag: Laina Lockett

AI Test Kitchen: Reducing Ambiguity

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett 

Whether you’re new to AI tools like Microsoft CoPilot or have a lot of AI experience, join this session to explore in-depth prompting to reduce unnecessary barriers in assignment instructions or your syllabus using a Universal Design for Learning Framework. This session is based on the book The Science of Learning Meets AI by Ludwig and Zakrajsek. Please have access to at least one of the following to get the most out of this session: assignment instructions, syllabus, or project description. *Participation in past AI Test Kitchens is not required. This workshop is part of the Teaching with AI Credential.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Pre-ITL Workshop: Creating Relevance in General Education Courses

Register Here | Facilitators: Laina Lockett & Eva Erber

Research shows that when students consider course content relevant, their motivation, and thus learning, increases. But how can we make sure this is the case? Whether you teach majors or minors, freshmen or seniors: Whenever students can link class content to their lived experiences or future endeavors, they are more engaged. But which approaches and methods help increase relevance for learners? And how can we encourage them to search for relevance themselves? In this interactive workshop, we will explore possibilities that fit your specific general education course context.

STEM Education Coffee Chat

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett

Join your STEM liaison and chat about your class or anything else teaching related over a cup of coffee (or tea if that’s more your speed). Sign up for one of these small group chats, happening this fall on select Thursday mornings. Topics are open to anything, but we will start with a discussion of the previous week’s Teaching newsletter from Beth McMurtire at The Chronicle of Higher Education. The newsletter will be shared for those who are not already on the mailing list the 48-hours before the chat is scheduled.
* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

STEM Education Coffee Chat

Register Here Canceled| Facilitator: Laina Lockett

Join your STEM liaison and chat about your class or anything else teaching related over a cup of coffee (or tea if that’s more your speed). Sign up for one of these small group chats, happening this fall on select Thursday mornings. Topics are open to anything, but we will start with a discussion of the previous week’s Teaching newsletter from Beth McMurtire at The Chronicle of Higher Education. The newsletter will be shared for those who are not already on the mailing list the 48-hours before the chat is scheduled.
* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: AI Test Kitchen: Designing New Assignments

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett 

Whether you’re new to artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft CoPilot or have a lot of AI experience, join this session to explore prompts and discuss the role of generative AI in designing new assignments. Based on the book Teaching with AI by Bowen and Watson. This workshop is part of the Teaching with AI Credential.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Mini Course: Introduction to AI Inspired Pedagogies

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett

By now you’ve probably heard of ChatGPT or one of the other various new large language models (LLMs) that have taken the world by storm. But do you know how to deal with ever-evolving artificial intelligence technology as it relates to your teaching? In this mini course, you will be exposed to the basics of redesigning your course as it relates to learning outcomes and instructional activities. We will also explore how to get feedback from students regarding the changes that you make. This is a five-session program; successful completion will earn participants a level 2 CPD credential. Registration will be limited to the first 40 participants.
This mini-course runs weekly on Mondays, November 2 – November 30.

Dates of Sessions:
November 2, 2026 1:30-3:20PM
November 9, 2026 1:30-3:20PM
November 16, 2026 1:30-3:20PM
November 23, 2026 1:30-3:20PM
November 30, 2026 1:30-3:20PM

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: To AI or not to AI? Key Considerations for Your Classroom

Register Here | Facilitators: Laina Lockett & Breana Bayraktar

In this session, we will review the Stearns Center’s AI Quick Start Guide. Topics include discussing the most common questions asked by GMU faculty about AI, reviewing recommended resources including the GMU Guidelines for Faculty and Students, demonstrate some of the tools that are available to use, and consider ethical considerations for tool usage as instructors.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: To AI or not to AI? Key Considerations for Your Classroom

Register Here | Facilitators: Laina Lockett & Thomas Polk

In this session, we will review the Stearns Center’s AI Quick Start Guide. Topics include discussing the most common questions asked by GMU faculty about AI, reviewing recommended resources including the GMU Guidelines for Faculty and Students, demonstrate some of the artificial intelligence tools that are available to use, and consider ethical considerations for tool usage as instructors. This workshop is part of the Teaching with AI Credential.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

AI Book Club: The Science of Learning Meets AI

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett

Are you interested in discussing how learning is impacted by generative AI? Then this book club is for you! We will meet three times to discuss each part of the book and create actionable take aways from the reading. The first 12 registrants are eligible for a free copy of the book. You will need to arrange to pick up your copy on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday at Innovation Hall before the first session if you would like your free copy of the book.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Dates of Sessions:

September 08, 2026 – 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
October 13, 2026 – 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
November 10, 2026 – 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Workshop: Motivating Students in STEM Courses

Register Here | Facilitator: Laina Lockett 

Do you teach a STEM course but feel that your students lack motivation? If you answered yes, you aren’t alone. Since the pandemic, professors across the country have been expressing that they have noticed a general trend in reduced student motivation. In this workshop we will discuss theories of motivation so that you can engage your students whether you teach a large class, teach online, have many non-majors, or are teaching an upper-level course. You will gain tips, tricks, and ideas that can be implemented into your course this semester and beyond!

Part of the Level 1 Foundational Practices in STEM Education Cluster.

* Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Dates of workshops in this Cluster:

Wednesday, September 2 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 16 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday, September 14 10:00-11:00am or Tuesday, November 3 10:00-11:00am (attend first hour of workshop)