The MacPherson Institute and campus partners have developed a variety of resources to support instructors who are navigatingthe educational implications of generative AI. There is no single approach that will be appropriate for every discipline, course, instructor, or learning outcome. Whether you are looking for opportunities to integrate AI into your teaching or seeking ways to limit or reduce its role to protect critical learning processes or disciplinary practices, the following resources offer evidence-informed approaches with guidance that recognizes a range of perspectives.
This conversation guide is designed to provide practical, learning-centered approaches for instructors to discuss GenAI with students, whether at the start of a course or in response to emerging questions and situations. It features adaptable discussion prompts, facilitation strategies, and follow-up suggestions that aim to help instructors engage students in thoughtful dialogue about the role of GenAI in their learning.
This Guidebook provides helpful information for educators to better understand the various aspects of how Generative AI may apply to the teaching and learning space. Educators will learn about the general limitations and risks, contexts for McMaster University, using AI as an instructor, student perceptions, opportunities for student usage, and guidance on redesigning assessments and other approaches.
This resource aims to be your companion in making informed, strategic decisions about using AI to enhance higher education. It begins with a foundational approach to assist readers in aligning AI with their educational curiosities and goals, followed by an exploration of AI tools that can be applied in teaching and research contexts. Additionally, readers will learn strategies for monitoring, evaluating, and reflecting on the use of AI.
This online module aims to provide an understanding of generative AI to help educators think through how these technologies intersect with teaching practices. Whether you have reservations or enthusiasm about AI in education, this learning module offers a space for exploration and thoughtful consideration.
Educational developers from the MacPherson Institute can design and deliver program and department specific workshops and training related to generative AI. Reach out here to mi@mcmaster.ca to discuss.
Learn from others working in the generative AI space in this McMaster Community of Practice.
MI Postdoctoral Fellow Ben Lee Taylor is conducting a study on generative AI and assessment in higher education. Results are forthcoming, but one output includes an open access repository (CC licensed for free use) of sample assessments that address or respond to generative AI.
This resource was created in 2024-2025.
Copilot is a generative AI chat assistant. McMaster faculty and staff can leverage Copilot for various tasks including searching for relevant information on the web, generating content, rewriting/improving/optimizing existing content, and creating images based on your descriptions.
Scite is a feature-rich AI-powered assistant that can help you investigate research questions by finding and evaluating relevant literature. McMaster students, faculty, and staff have full access to scite with a valid MacID.
This podcast delves into the ethical and practical questions of generative AI for the McMaster campus community, bridging the gap between knowledgeable educators, students, and practitioners and those less familiar with AI technology. Each episode explores the complexities of AI, its potential for innovation, and the challenges it poses.