About the Session
This technically-oriented session introduces offline Gen AI and highlights reasons one might choose it over commercial options like ChatGPT or Gemini. We will discuss the limitations of these offline options, showcase applications to run models locally on your computer, recommend local Gen AI models depending on the objective, and examine pedagogical considerations.
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand the advantages of using offline Gen AI versus commercial online options
- Consider the limitations of hardware and local models
- Choose local Gen AI models based on their specific objective
- Identify applications used to run offline Gen AI
Registration Coming Soon
This session may be recorded, archived, and shared after the event.
About the Facilitators
Dr. Elizabeth Childs is Professor and Program Head of the MA in Learning and Technology program in the School of Education and Technology at Royal Roads University. She holds a PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Calgary. Elizabeth is interested in the design, creation, and implementation of flexible learning environments incorporating the affordances of information and communication technology and provide learners with increased choice, flexibility, and opportunities. Dr. Childs’ research interests include open educational practices; creation of, and engagement in, online learning communities and digital habitats; design thinking and maker pedagogy; and models for training and professional development.
Harper Friedman is a Coordinator of Open Education at BCcampus. With a background in computer science, Harper is able to combine his technical knowledge with his experience in open education. Since the boom in Gen AI, he has been exploring ways to harness this technology while staying aligned with values of accessibility, equity, environmentalism, and agency.
BCcampus is a proud member of the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities initiative. If you have a hidden disability that might affect your participation, you can download a virtual sunflower background to indicate that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time. If you require any support or have any questions, email sunflower@bccampus.ca
About the Session
This FLO MicroCourse uses a design sprint approach to help educators redesign a single assessment into AI-resilient versions. Here, AI-resilient means assessments structured so students cannot fully outsource the work to GenAI without engaging in critical thinking, decision-making, and authentic learning. The MicroCourse follows a five-step sprint approach: understand & empathize, define & frame, ideate & create, prototype & refine, and rest & pitch. Participants will apply spring methods such as “build to think” prototyping, and structured peer-reviewed testing.
Over five days, educators will complete guided asynchronous sprint work, supported by two synchronous sessions designed to build community, strengthen collaboration, and facilitate open peer feedback.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify AI-related vulnerabilities in assessment tasks and clarify the learning outcomes the assessments are intended to measure. Apply sprint methods to ground assessment decisions in learner needs and real-world learning contexts.
- Generate and prioritize multiple redesign options that support meaningful learning.
- Prototype an AI-resilient assessment and refine it through structured, constructive peer feedback.
- Publish the redesigned assessment as an OER contribution to an AI-resilient assessment bank that supports teaching and learning.
What to expect
This is not an “off the side of your desk” learning opportunity. To get the most out of this learning experience, we recommend participants dedicate at least six to eight hours over the week. Participants should come prepared with one assessment (or a set of course assessment activities) to redesign. The sprint model requires iterative work, collaboration, and active participation in giving and receiving peer feedback.
While most of the learning will happen asynchronously, we are offering two optional synchronous sessions:
- Monday, April 27, 2026, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Registration Coming Soon
This session will be recorded, archived, and shared with course registrants.
About the Facilitators
Your FLO Facilitators for this session will be Drs. Gwen Nguyen and Helena Prins.
BCcampus is a proud member of the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities initiative. If you have a hidden disability that might affect your participation, you can download a virtual sunflower background to indicate that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time. If you require any support or have any questions, email sunflower@bccampus.ca
About the Session
Lee Sentes will share his recent experience integrating offline AI use into a graduate tourism course at Royal Roads University. In this initial experiment, students used offline AI to get guidance on assignment deliverables without having the AI complete the work for them. The AI essentially acts as a study tutor, with the instructor exercising significant control over how it responds.
Is it perfect? No – but it’s promising. The set up is surprisingly easy, and students who used it effectively suggest further exploration of this approach is justified.
Registration Coming Soon
This session may be recorded, archived, and shared after the event.
About the Facilitators
Lee Sentes is an Associate Faculty member at Royal Roads University and is regularly contracted to instruct a variety of courses within the Leadership, Global Leadership, Business and Commerce, and Tourism programs. Many of the courses he teaches focus on organizational development, communication, leadership, social enterprise, and design thinking. Lee is a skilled facilitator and has worked with a variety of government ministries and not-for-profit organizations focused on both the domestic service delivery and international development arenas. His consulting through Development Action and Doing Good for Nothing has focused on not-for-profits and social enterprise organizations, including various medical support agencies on Vancouver Island. He can be found on LinkedIn.
Dr. Elizabeth Childs is Professor and Program Head of the MA in Learning and Technology program in the School of Education and Technology at Royal Roads University. She holds a PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Calgary. Elizabeth is interested in the design, creation, and implementation of flexible learning environments incorporating the affordances of information and communication technology and providing learners with increased choice, flexibility, and opportunities. Her research interests include open educational practices; creation of, and engagement in, online learning communities and digital habitats; design thinking and maker pedagogy; and models for training and professional development.
BCcampus is a proud member of the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities initiative. If you have a hidden disability that might affect your participation, you can download a virtual sunflower background to indicate that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time. If you require any support or have any questions, email sunflower@bccampus.ca