*Note: This session has passed.

Are you feeling anxious about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom? Do you worry you might become obsolete in the face of this technological advancement? How often have you had to “prove you are not a robot”?

With the massive growth of AI tools, educators are questioning what it means to be an organic and creative human. Fear not, because in this three-hour workshop, we will explore how you can prove you’re human, even in the age of AI.

Through creating and sharing simple comics, we’ll delve into our honest wonderings and worries about AI. This workshop will be a playful way to address concerns and questions about the impact of AI tools on our work and the future of our careers. The event will be equal parts philosopher’s café, academic inquiry, support group, and play session.

Learning outcomes for this workshop include:

• Exploring and processing educators’ practical, psychological, and philosophical anxieties about AI in a meaningful, creative, fun way
• Learning how to express complex ideas and emotions through visual storytelling
• Sharing and connecting with other educators who share similar worries and concerns
• Gaining a better understanding of the impact of AI tools on educators and our work and how to maintain our humanity in the face of technological advancement

This session will not be recorded, so please plan on being in attendance for the duration of the workshop. The approximate participation time is 2.5 hours, with an additional 30 minutes for sharing and discussion.

Presenter Biographies:

Dr. Jessica Motherwell McFarlane (she/they/not “guys”) has been teaching in the disciplines of gender, diversity, inclusion, anti-oppression, and social justice for nearly three decades. She received the 2016 Teaching Excellence Award for her work at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Jessica recently began teaching at Capilano and Kwantlen Polytechnic universities and has been acknowledged for offering creative, innovative methods that are especially useful for working with difficult or emotional content. She regularly offers workshops for learners from elementary to university ages and presents at provincial, national, and international conferences. Jessica is director of the Life Outside the Box Institute, which offers customized programming — often using simple stick-figure comics — to help learners embrace anti-oppression practices, work toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, overcome implicit biases, and listen deeply to others’ stories. Jessica is also a counsellor in private practice for children, youth, and adults.

Jason Toal (he/him) has been an educator and educational technologist for 25 years. From the sketchbook page to the webpage, he facilitates learning experiences on the topics of visual practice, educational/social media, open education, and more. With a background in art, design, and interaction design, he specializes in the human aspects of learning technology and the innovative use of media.