AI Fishbowl

The podcast episode focuses on a conversation between Audrey, Alvin, and Zia about implementing AI in academic advising. Alvin, the Director of Academic Advising at Prairie View A&M University, discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance both student and advisor experiences by providing quick access to academic policies and requirements, such as double majors and the university’s catalog. They experiment with building a custom AI chatbot to answer catalog-related questions, emphasizing the importance of tailoring AI responses to students and advisors while minimizing jargon and maintaining accuracy.

Alvin shares his excitement about using AI to simplify complex advising processes, making the information more accessible for students. They also talk about the challenge of ensuring accuracy in chatbot responses to build trust, especially when it comes to nuanced topics like double dipping (using one course for two majors). The team demonstrates how the chatbot can reference the catalog, and Alvin is eager to introduce this tool to his advising team for testing before a potential student rollout.

The episode highlights the practical steps in developing AI tools in education, emphasizing prompt engineering and customization..

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of educational technology and data analytics with Dr. Larry Miller, an expert in public finance and education policy. Larry shares insights from his work at Greenville Tech, where he's spearheading innovative approaches to improve student success through data-driven interventions.

00:00:24 - Larry introduces himself and his background in finance and education policy.

00:02:19 - Discussion of the new center for welding and automation excellence at Greenville Tech.

00:05:55 - Conversation shifts to using data analytics and predictive analytics in education.

00:08:56 - Larry explains the concept of using blackboard data for predictive analytics.

00:12:35 - Discussion about generating a practice data set for analysis.

00:16:56 - Conversation about connecting data to past outcomes and developing KPIs.

00:22:30 - Audrey shares her experience with student tracking systems at a previous institution.

00:27:54 - Larry describes their weekly accountability meetings using dashboards.

00:31:11 - Discussion about incorporating qualitative data into analysis.

00:34:23 - Larry talks about the importance of personal outreach in student success.

00:37:37 - Conversation about evaluating the effectiveness of outreach efforts.

In this episode of “AI Fishbowl,” co-hosts Zia Hassan and Audrey Ellis are joined by Michaela Pacesova, a computer science instructor at Montgomery College, to explore practical ways to integrate AI into teaching. Michaela shares her journey from running an e-learning business to teaching introductory programming courses and the challenges that come with engaging first-year and dual enrollment students with varying levels of tech proficiency.

In this episode, we sit down with Chuck, the Vice Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, to explore his experiences and insights into the transformative power of AI in education. Chuck shares his journey from traditional administrative processes to embracing generative AI tools, highlighting real-world applications and the impact on efficiency and student experience.

In this episode, Zia Hassan and Audrey Ellis are joined by Allison Dolan Wilson, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Northern Essex Community College. Allison explores how AI, particularly ChatGPT, can streamline her tasks, enhance creativity, and support decision-making in her role.

Music: Bloom by Liqwyd

Welcome to the inaugural episode of AI Fishbowl! In this episode, hosts Zia Hassan and Audrey Ellis introduce the podcast and share their backgrounds. Audrey talks about her passion for community colleges and higher education access, while Zia shares his journey from IBM to teaching and consulting in the education sector. Together, they discuss the impact of generative AI on education and outline their vision for the podcast. Join us as we dive into real-time AI coaching, transforming educational tasks, and making AI accessible to everyone in the higher ed community.