Northwest Florida State College Launches Pioneering AI Initiative for Educators and Students

Recognizing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is excited to announce the launch of its new AI Initiative. This program, spearheaded by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), aims to equip faculty and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world.

AI technologies are rapidly reshaping various industries, and education is no exception. With a focus on fostering innovative teaching practices, CITL's AI Initiative seeks to enhance the educational experience and better prepare students for future career opportunities.
NWFSC has partnered with AI for Education, a leading organization specializing in AI applications in educational settings, to deliver a robust program of in-person and virtual trainings and workshops throughout the upcoming academic year. These sessions will provide faculty and academic affairs leadership with practical insights and hands-on experience in implementing AI tools and strategies across disciplines.
“We are thrilled to launch the AI Initiative at Northwest Florida State College, said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Northwest Florida State College. “This initiative not only enhances our educational practices but also prepares our students to be leaders in an AI-driven world.”
 
The training program includes the following workshops and presentations:

1. Introduction to Generative AI for Educators – An introductory workshop designed to familiarize educators with the basics of generative AI.

2. AI Policy Workshop – Targeted at Academic Affairs leadership and AI Fellows, this session will focus on developing comprehensive AI policies.

3. AI Prompt Engineering 101 – A practical session on crafting effective prompts for AI tools.
4. AI Pedagogical Strategies – Strategies for integrating AI into teaching methodologies.

5. Re-defining Assessment in the Age of AI – Exploring new ways to assess student learning in an AI-enhanced educational environment.

6. Introducing AI to Students – Techniques for effectively teaching AI concepts to students.
 
“The impact of artificial intelligence on education cannot be understated,” said Dr. Henry Mack, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We not only need to understand the impact, but appreciate how AI may enable, not supplement, the great work of our faculty. NWFSC is committed to preparing the future workforce, today.”

AI Fellows Program and Student Competition

An AI Fellows program is being established to foster deeper exploration and implementation of AI in education. Selected from among the NWFSC faculty, AI Fellows will lead innovative projects, conduct research, and collaborate with colleagues and industry experts to advance AI integration in teaching and learning.

Additionally, an AI competition will be held for high school and college students, challenging participants to solve real-world problems using AI technology. This competition aims to inspire the next generation of AI innovators by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students.

For more information about the AI Initiative and upcoming events, please visit our website or contact Shelby Lennon, Interim Director, CITL, at lennon@nwfsc.edu.