Driven by cautious curiosity about the advances in AI, I created AI for Higher Ed Project to share my own human-centered experiments with AI-enhanced pedagogy and help fellow professors critically engage with AI tools.
This platform is designed specifically for professors in the fields of social sciences and humanities. Many of these professors are navigating the challenges and opportunities of AI with limited resources and guidance. My goal is to develop a feasible, ethical and impactful AI strategy for teaching and learning that works in the college classroom, and develop a community of professors open to experiment, critically reflect on and revise these strategies.
Meet the Experimenter
Hi, I’m Gamze Yilmaz, an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Massachusetts Boston. For the past 13 years at UMass Boston, I’ve focused on pedagogical innovation and creative approaches to student learning.
I’ve had the privilege of attending the Teaching and Learning Studio at Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, and I am certified by IDEO as a design thinking practitioner. These experiences have profoundly influenced my approach to teaching, learning and my scholarly work.
My passion for pedagogical innovation and student learning naturally extends to AI-enhanced pedagogy. In my courses, I incorporate AI tools deliberately so that students learn to use them responsibly rather than outsource the core intellectual work of the course. I design activities that make AI use transparent and create structured opportunities for students to examine how these systems may both support and undermine authentic learning.
If you are also cautiously curious about the use of AI in higher ed, let’s connect!
Gamze Yilmaz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Communication Department
University of Massachusetts Boston
Experiments in AI-Enhanced Teaching
The real-life application of AI-enhanced learning experiences designed and implemented by professors in public teaching universities and community colleges is sparse.
Here, I will share AI-based assignments and candid reflections on the effectiveness of teaching experiments with AI. You can also find other resources I compile on AI-based assignments from credible sources and educators here.
AI Community Talks
As we build our community, we will get out of our silos and meet to exchange notes on AI-enhanced pedagogical experiments. Here, you can find my most recent talks on how to engage with AI intentionally in the college classroom.
AI Literacy
AI literacy includes essential skills needed to work effectively with AI tools in academic and professional contexts. This section provides professors with foundational resources to develop their own AI literacy and integrate these competencies into their teaching,.
Services
With 20 years of experience in college teaching and a track record of implementing pedagogical innovation, I help higher ed institutions and startups develop student centric, pedagogically sound, AI-enhanced learning experiences. Please click below to learn more about my consulting services.
Contact
Feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas!
Email
gamze.yilmaz@umb.edu