1-115-1 // Creating Technical Artwork
TYPE: Learning Stack (15-20 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. Jeff Thomas – Teaching Professor of Civil, Architectural, & Environmental Engineering; Missouri S&T
Audience: Higher Education
Time and Location: 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.; Room 115
Having published textbooks for 14 years and educational web sites for 28 years, I would like to share how I combine sketching, photography, 3D modeling, vector tools, and AI to produce technical artwork. My workflow includes Procreate, Imaging Edge, Helicon Focus, Fusion 360, Firefly, Animate, and PaintShop Pro.
1-115-2 // A Simplified Approach to Leveraging AI and ML in Computational Economics
TYPE: Learning Stack (15-20 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. Jikhan Jeong – Assistant Professor of Economics; Missouri S&T
Audience: Higher Education
Time and Location: 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.; Room 115
We will explore the application of various AI and ML tools in computational economics, using an actual NSF CAREER dataset for Economics in the Google Colab environment. This exploration will leverage Python, PyTorch, and other relevant tools. For example, we will learn how to generate HTML files from Jupyter notebooks file (*.ipynb) on Google Colab, utilize language models for text analysis, and apply generative AI techniques for prompt engineering.
2-115-1 // Lightboard — A New Interactive Teaching Tool
TYPE: Learning Stack Session (15-20 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. Lijun Jiang – Kummer Endowed Professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering; Missouri S&T
Audience: Higher Education; K-12 Education
Time and Location: 1:15 – 2:00 p.m.; Room 115
This talk introduces the lightboard technology that can visually integrate presenter into slides. It creates a magical effect that could bring more attention and focus from audiences. It is a new approach that makes teaching and presentation attractive and unique.
2-115-2 // Making Lectures Interactive
TYPE: Learning Stack Session (15-20 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. Michelle Schwartze – Associate Teaching Professor of Education; Missouri S&T
Audience: Higher Education; K-12 Education
Time and Location: 1:15 – 2:00 p.m.; Room 115
Do you want to engage students more during the lecture? Peardeck and Nearpod are two easy ways to take your lecture notes and incorporate student participation. I will share with you how to create a presentation using these two applications.
3-115 // AI Hacks for Math Teachers: Teach Smarter, Not Harder!
TYPE: Standard Session (45 minutes)
Presenter: Dr. Vinay Kanth Rao Kodipelly – Assistant Teaching Professor; University of Missouri-St. Louis
Audience: Higher Education; K-12 Education
Time and Location: 2:15 – 3:00 p.m.; Room 115
This session will showcase how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can transform math teaching by streamlining content creation, automating problem generation, and providing personalized support. Vinay recently presented his talk “AI Hacks for Math Teachers: Teach Smarter, Not Harder!” at the Advanced Credit Program’s professional development series, where he shared practical, time-saving AI-driven strategies with Saint Louis area high school teachers. These techniques, including AI-generated flashcards for hypothesis testing, Kahoot quiz prep automation, and enhanced lecture notes in Canvas, have been successfully implemented in his own math and statistics courses at UMSL. The session inspired attendees to explore new ways to integrate AI into their own classrooms. The article detailing these strategies was published following the talk, reinforcing the impact of AI tools in modernizing teaching practices. This session will provide attendees with actionable insights to leverage AI to make teaching more efficient, engaging, and student-centered.