Workforce development programs face increasing pressure to prepare learners for a labor market shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and entrepreneurial thinking. This session explores how AI and entrepreneurship education can be strategically integrated into skilled trades and workforce training programs. Participants will examine practical models for embedding AI literacy, problem-solving, and business mindset development into technical curricula without displacing hands-on skill acquisition. The session highlights scalable approaches that align industry needs, economic mobility, and sustainable workforce pipelines.#WorkforceDevelopment #AIintheTrades #EntrepreneurshipEducation
Dr. Brooks has had the opportunity to live and travel around the world (86 Moves). She has taught in China, in Cuba, and through online partnerships in Jordan & Israel. She has been teaching for 20+ years. She is an active-duty Military Spouse. She has a diverse background in education... Read More →
Thursday June 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT Desoto 2
This presentation explores effective strategies for engaging faculty resistant to AI integration in the classroom by hosting culinary-themed workshops. Attendees will learn how to design and implement workshops that feature interactive roundtables with artisanal food (cheese, chocolate, and beer) while discussing practical approaches to AI in education. The workshop title, "Artisanal AI," reflects our commitment to preserving the artistry and craft of original thinking in an age of technology. Participants will leave with a framework for crafting their own engaging workshops that foster collaboration and innovation while emphasizing the importance of original thought.
Traditional course development processes are too slow. AI-generated courses lack pedagogical rigor. This dichotomy ignores a third option: AI-centric frameworks that maintain quality while dramatically reducing development time. Indiana Wesleyan University's "Path 2" framework leverages custom AI bots, workflow automation, and 'human in the loop' methodology to transform course development. This session demonstrates how structured AI conversations guide developers from learning objectives, through course outlining and alignment, all the way to full course design. Participants experience the process firsthand, drastically reducing course development time while maintaining sound instructional design practices like backwards design principles. Attendees receive a bot template, workflow configurations, and a prompt template for immediate institutional application.
Learning Experience Designer, Indiana Wesleyan University
Jessica specializes in AI and Digital Media in course design, creating learning experiences that leverage technology and AI to improve student outcomes and engagement. She is also an academic researcher, with her current research focused on Generative AI Course Assistants and their... Read More →
Learning Experience Designer, Indiana Wesleyan University
Dr. Jonathon K. Isham is an accomplished instructional design leader and learning experience strategist with more than 20 years of experience shaping online education, higher education leadership, and workforce training. His career has been defined by innovation at the intersection... Read More →
Thursday June 11, 2026 2:20pm - 2:50pm EDT Desoto 2
This presentation explores how AI-enabled tools can support the alignment of national STEM education frameworks with classroom practice. Building on KEEN-inspired principles that aim to equip students with the skills to identify opportunities, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society, we demonstrate how AI can help instructors design, adapt, and curate high-impact learning tasks. While our examples focus primarily on mathematics and engineering, the ideas of an opportunity- and impact-oriented approach to teaching can be applied across the curriculum. Participants will be able to engage in hands-on activity design and discuss how AI can accelerate evidence-based, application-driven teaching.
AI has introduced new challenges across higher education: how to support learning, protect integrity, assess students fairly, and provide meaningful feedback without adding more burden to faculty. This session will explore how institutions can move from reactive AI policies to practical, learning-centered guardrails. Apporto will share a framework for addressing these challenges across the academic lifecycle, including responsible student support, deeper instructor feedback, clearer evidence of authentic work, and secure assessment environments that help campuses turn AI from uncertainty into a guided, responsible learning experience.
