Exploring technology, AI, simulations, curriculum challenges, and education’s future.
Professor at Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, Nancy Ruzycki discusses with us the current state of hands-on learning in education, the role of simulations, the impact of AI, and the challenges teachers face with curriculum and technology. Nancy and Dave explore the balance between hands-on experiences and simulations, the importance of data privacy in AI, and the need for teachers to adapt to new technologies while maintaining educational standards. They also discuss the evolving role of AI in education, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to teaching and learning. They explore how AI can personalize education, the importance of domain-specific models, and the challenges of integrating AI into classrooms. The discussion also touches on the balance between convenience for teachers and effective learning outcomes for students, highlighting the need for better support and training for educators.
Nancy’s flyer for links and resources for teachers: https://hubs.ly/Q02GFBzY0
Free AI and data science curriculums https://lor.instructure.com/?q=ruzycki
Links to free resources and vendors/partners with AI and data science: https://docs.google.com/document/d/129B8CvI0XmenUYoCiC89YBXWY0FP_wPq/edit
Engaged Quality Instruction Through Professional Development: https://equipd.mse.ufl.edu
UF AI Teachers in residence: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15u23tKqgq_ZxcI9B5WCX9vxLX7rQcd57/edit
ABOUT NANCY
Dr. Nancy Ruzycki is an Associate Instructional Professor within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Her research work is in creating teacher professional development for complex topics in STEM using system thinking and a conceptual modeling pedagogical framework. She also studies mentorship in STEM organizations and informal learning settings. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry Education and has National Board Certification for Physics. Ruzycki currently works upskilling teachers in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and has written the Middle School Career and Technical Education Frameworks for AI and Data Science, and the High School Frameworks for Data Science in the state of Florida. She has received over $12 million dollars in funding for her work.