Notre Dame Teaching Well with AI Academy
Introduction and Application
The Teaching Well with AI Academy (NDTWAA) is designed to empower Notre Dame instructors with the knowledge and resources to lead the University through this generative AI transformation, fostering innovation while maintaining ethical and pedagogical integrity. This initiative aims to build and empower a cohort of faculty who will collaborate to address the University’s Generative AI Task Force (GAIT) Committee’s three core teaching and learning recommendations:
- Assess, inform, and train faculty and students on AI tools for teaching and learning
- Develop discipline-specific guidelines and pedagogical best practices
- Convene cross-disciplinary discussions on the benefits and risks of generative AI in teaching and learning
The Notre Dame Learning team will facilitate a series of meetings to engage faculty across disciplines in exploring the intersection of AI and teaching at Notre Dame. NDTWAA will convene weekly for a 90-minute session throughout the fall semester of 2025. In each session, participants will learn principles of AI use, practice and apply that knowledge, and reflect on implications for disciplinary best practices and curricular alignment.
Outside of the weekly sessions, participants will engage with the program in several ways. Each participant will contribute to their school/college’s AI integration strategy, participate in small group work, think more broadly about what Gen AI means for their discipline, and develop practical applications for courses where appropriate.
Faculty will document their learning journey through brief reflective assignments, earn digital badges for completing challenges that they can display on their social media profiles and Canvas sites, and ultimately present their findings to the cohort.
Nominate a Colleague or Apply for the Fall 2025 NDTWAA
More Information About the Academy
Workshop Leaders
- Alex Ambrose, Director of the Lab for AI in Teaching and Learning, Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence
- Steve Varela, Director, Teaching & Learning Technologies (OIT)
- Kevin Abbott, Academic Tech Specialist, Teaching & Learning Technologies (OIT)
- Ardea Russo, Director, Office of Academic Standards
- Invited guest experts
Read a Recap of the Spring 2025 NDTWAA
*Note: While the inaugural NDTWAA in spring 2025 met monthly, the fall 2025 cohort will meet weekly.
Fall 2025 Academy Schedule (click to expand)
Thursday, September 18
1:00–2:30 p.m.
LEARN – Foundations of AI in Teaching & Learning: This initial whole-group session establishes the framework for understanding AI's role in higher education, the pragmatics of an AI landscape at ND, University policies, approved tools, and supporting guidelines. Participants will explore their college’s readiness for AI integration and discuss ethical considerations related to generative AI.
Thursday, September 25
1:00–2:30 p.m.
DESIGN – Syllabus & Course Development: Through demonstration and discussion, faculty will practice crafting effective AI prompts, in the context of leveraging AI for course design and syllabus development. This session will also assess the impact of generative AI technology guidelines on student attention and engagement, offering insight into possible course syllabus policy adjustments to enhance learning outcomes. Working in disciplinary clusters, participants will develop transparent expectations for AI use, examine student engagement with AI tools, and explore AI-assisted course development and positive classroom environment strategies. The session will focus on aligning AI integration with specific disciplinary needs and learning objectives.
Thursday, October 2
1:00–2:30 p.m.
ASSESS – Assignments & Feedback: This session focuses on enhancing transparency and consistency in AI-integrated assignments. Faculty will explore practical strategies for setting clear expectations around students’ use of generative AI, including guidance on documentation, citation, and the Generative AI Acceptable Use Scale for maintaining academic integrity. We will also experiment with rubric creation, using generative AI and Canvas tools to streamline assessment and feedback processes.
Thursday, October 9
1:00–2:30 p.m.
PRACTICE – Crafting Slides, Questions, & Activities: This session will give faculty in-depth experience with practical AI tools, using the context of class preparation and enhancing student engagement. Through hands-on activities, participants will learn techniques for using AI to craft slides, generate thought-provoking discussion and poll questions, and design interactive learning activities. We will also explore polling as a formative assessment tool, covering best practices and discovering how generative AI can assist in developing effective multiple-choice questions, enhancing in-class assessments, attendance tracking, and student participation. Participants will prepare for next week’s presentations of discipline-specific guidelines for AI use in teaching and learning.
Thursday, October 16
1:00–2:30 p.m.
REFLECT & PRESENT – Discipline-Specific Guidelines & Final Showcase: Participants will synthesize their learning to develop discipline-specific guidelines and best practices. Discussion will include mapping AI skills across academic programs and examining emerging career trends within disciplines. This culminating event will bring together participants, University leadership, and invited guests for presentations of discipline-specific findings and recommendations. Teams will share their developed guidelines, practical applications, and insights for future implementation.
Did You Know?
Notre Dame Learning offers a variety of video and written resources through our Lab for AI in Teaching and Learning (LAITL), including four “get started” links to help you decide where to begin. You can also contact us for instructional coaching and assessment support.