Thank You for Attending UnConference 2024!
Attendee and e-Poster presenter Chris Hickman wrote a fantastic recap of his experience at UnConference! On Friday, May 3, 2024, I attended the Alabama Instructional Design Network (or AIDN which is affectionately pronounced “Aiden”). This event brought professionals from all around Alabama with a common passion for enhancing instructional design for eager learners. This was my first time attending an AIDN event and it was well planned and executed. In this article, I will recount my experience as I moved through the day with this exceptional collection of leaders. The topic of the 2024 AIDN Unconference was “AI: The Dream vs Reality”. The promised a day full of informative sessions on the hot topic of artificial intelligence and they certainly delivered!
To learn more about our keynote speaker
Dr. Jewoong Moon and his research, check out his website below:
E-POSTER STATIONS...
Open Discussion on Artificial Intelligence
Presenter: Dr. Jewoong (Jacob) Moon, Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology (The University of Alabama)
Presentation Description: Dr. Moon will be available during this time to discuss ideas from his keynote, and general questions and conjecture regarding artificial intelligence in the Learning and Development fields.
AI in Accessibility: The Use of ChatGPT for Alt Text Generation
Presenter: Emily Mealer, Accessibility Associate (The University of Alabama)
Presentation Description: Emily is the Accessibility Associate on the UA Online Instructional Design Accessibility Team. She holds the Department of Homeland Security Office of Accessible Systems & Technology (OAST) Authoring Accessible Documents Program and Section 508 certification and shares the responsibility of making all online courses accessible for people with disabilities. In this presentation, Emily will demonstrate the methods of using ChatGPT to generate alt-text for a variety of images, including tables, graphs, and infographics.
Navigating the Future of Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Pedagogy
Presenters: Allie Brandriet & Nikkiye Dzambazi, Instructional Designers (Auburn University)
Presentation Description: This e-poster will highlight Auburn University's comprehensive institutional approach to enhancing faculty AI engagement, promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, and pioneer innovative teaching methods. Specifically, we will be discussing the role of Auburn Online with its talented instructional design, creative, and media production teams in the ideation, creation, and delivery of these outstanding resources.
AI Gone Wrong
Presenter: Raeann Bailey, Administrative Systems Instructor Lead (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Presentation Description: With all the buzz surrounding AI in every industry, it's easy to overlook the fact that it occasionally falls short. The reality is, AI failures happen more often than many realize. From concerning mishaps to downright embarrassing blunders, these stories shed light on the boundaries of AI and the challenges in crafting AI-driven learning solutions.
Adapting to Change: The Evolution of Instructional Design with AI
Presenter: Harriet Smith, Instructional Designer (American Society for Reproductive Medicine)
Presentation Description: This discussion explores how instructional design is evolving with AI and looks at how educators and tech professionals can collaborate with AI tools. Instead of focusing solely on AI’s capacity to replace jobs, we'll see how combining human skills and expertise with AI can make learning experiences more efficient and groundbreaking. Addressing misconceptions about AI’s impact on the field of instructional design, we will take a further look into the symbiotic relationship between human expertise and artificial intelligence.
UAB School of Nursing AI Taskforce: Transforming Nursing Education at UAB
Presenters: Matthew Jennings, Director of Instructional Technology; Chris Hickman, Adjunct Instructor (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Presentation Description: The UAB School of Nursing's AI Taskforce is a multidisciplinary team collaborating to adapt to the evolving AI landscape. Our objective is to seamlessly integrate AI understanding and education into academic programs to improve student learning outcomes. The taskforce works to support faculty, staff, and students in navigating the technology rich healthcare environment, in line with UAB's ethical standards for AI and positioning the School of Nursing as a national leader through the development of dynamic guidelines and recommendations for AI adoption.
AI Chat Agents: Transforming Corporate Learning Environments
Presenter: Dr. Stacy Jett Jess, Founder of Instructional Design AI
Presentation Description: Imagine a future where every employee has a personalized AI learning coach guiding their skill development 24/7. AI chat agents, powered by natural language processing and machine learning, are revolutionizing corporate training by providing interactive, personalized learning experiences at scale. These intelligent agents can engage in intuitive dialogue, adapt to individual learner needs, and offer instant feedback and guidance, significantly reducing training time while improving knowledge retention and application. However, the deployment of AI in learning raises important ethical considerations, such as data privacy, bias mitigation, transparency, and human oversight. Looking ahead, advancements in natural language interaction, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning support will further enhance the transformative potential of AI chat agents, enabling organizations to build the agile, future-ready workforces needed to thrive in the digital age.