2024 UNC CAUSE

In this presentation, we will review how Python can be made accessible to students and researchers. We will show the different ways we provide Python Environments on our systems, particularly emphasizing using on JupyterHub.

In this presentation, I will delve into the transformative potential of open-source Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) within higher education. RAG combines retrieval-based and generative AI models to revolutionize academic research, personalize learning experiences, and improve administrative efficiency in educational settings. I will explore the operational mechanics of RAG, discussing its functional framework and underlying mechanisms, including how it synthesizes information from extensive datasets to generate contextually relevant outputs. Additionally, I will share practical strategies for integrating open-source RAG into higher education contexts, focusing on enhancing learning outcomes, optimizing resource allocation, and streamlining administrative processes. Join me in exploring how AI innovation can elevate academic excellence and empower educational institutions for the future.

The purpose of the Wireless/Eduroam SIG is to discuss wireless technology, deployment and roaming strategies including participation in eduroam, a world-wide access federation for the international research and education community, among North Carolina’s education institutions who provide large-scale Wi-Fi service across the state.

Old and new attendees are welcome, come find your people!

SIG Chairs:
Robert Gorrell - UNCG
Lauren Brunell - UNCW

https://unccause.org/sigs/sig-wifi/

In today's higher education landscape, technology teams face multifaceted challenges ranging from AI to digital transformation and cybersecurity. While technical proficiency is undoubtedly crucial, the success of these teams hinges equally on the human element—the talents, strengths, and dynamics of team members. Drawing inspiration from positive psychology and organizational development, this session proposes an innovative approach to nurturing high-performing technology teams through the lens of Clifton Strengths. Based on the work of Don Clifton and another organizational psychologist, it identifies individuals' innate talents and provides a framework for understanding and developing them. By embracing this framework, technology teams can transcend traditional limitations and cultivate a culture of excellence, collaboration, and individual empowerment. Abstract:
Technology teams are the backbone of innovation and progress in today's rapidly evolving higher education landscape. However, the success of these teams is not solely dependent on technical skills but also on fostering a culture of collaboration, engagement, and individual empowerment. This proposal advocates for integrating positive psychology into the fabric of technology teams to unlock their full potential. By understanding and leveraging the unique talents of team members, institutions can cultivate a culture of thriving and engagement, leading to enhanced productivity, innovation, and job satisfaction.

As higher education still revolves around the face-to-face lecture as the ideal (i.e. the sage on the stage), accessibility is often an afterthought, particularly in online courses. Even when the course design is accessible, student-produced artifacts are generally not reviewed for accessibility despite the increased frequency of peer -to -peer sharing and required responses, This presentation will demystify the process of creating accessible learning materials by both instructors and learners, ensuring that people of all abilities can access and utilize learning materials. Using examples from General Education courses, this presentation will share ways to build accessibility into student-produced materials therefore providing both a key career skill and ensuring access to all.

Playful learning, including gamification and gameful learning, is one of the active learning strategies that can increase student engagement and faculty joy of teaching. This session will discuss some of the different approaches to gamification and the benefits on the learning process and discuss how new tools of Artificial Intelligence can be used to play the game of learning through the process of creating, playtesting, critiquing, and improving the processes of learning and playing. Participants will walk away with real-world examples of prompts, activities, and assessment methodologies from multiple disciplines. We invite you to come and PL-AI.

Employees, Staff, and Students use GenAI Apps with or without proper IT approval. A study revealed that about 55% of employees use unapproved GenAI tools, a number that is expected to grow. Users may unknowingly share sensitive information, fail to comply with regulations, visit phishing sites through unsupervised GenAI app-generated URLs, or introduce malicious code into the network. Universities need visibility in identifying GenAI Apps, providing aggregated views based on usage statistics for GenAI use - cases and users, controlling GenAI Apps, and implementing security measures to protect data privacy and cyber threats. Palo Alto Network's AI Access Security Solution provides that needed visibility and control over GenAI apps. Join us as we show how AI Access Security can safely enable AI adoption at your University. 

The purpose of the WordPress SIG is to provide a central resource for sharing best practices, development strategies, and solutions to common problems. In-person or online meetups and events will be an opportunity to showcase projects, share code examples, and discuss enterprise-level management of WordPress environments.
Although specific design and development goals will likely vary from campus to campus, common areas for collaboration and discussion can be found at the link below.

Old and new attendees are welcome, come find your people!

SIG Chair:
Elizabeth Tran - NCSU

https://unccause.org/sigs/sig-wordpress/

The online Veterinary Technology Program at Appstate includes a clinical externship that is intended to provide students with the hands-on experience necessary to develop the skills needed by veterinary technicians. In this session, we'll explore the challenges of blending hands-on experiences with virtual learning. As part of our program’s AVMA accreditation requirements, we need to provide documentation of all the students’ skills. Students submit videos via a Moodle assignment and Kaltura integration. Join us when we discuss the methods we use to collect student artifacts, skill assessment, archiving practices, and developing clinical partnerships remotely. By addressing challenges and sharing successful strategies, we can develop stronger externship experiences. Preparing students with clinical skills is critical to their success and leadership in the workplace, but designing the best way to collect videos, evaluate the submissions, and provide clear student feedback to students in an online program can be a challenge.

In the digital age, fostering a sense of community and belonging in online courses is essential for student success. This presentation will explore three core strategies to humanize your online course: building community, creating a learner-centered syllabus, and providing opportunities for connection. First, we will explore techniques to build an online community that mirrors the support and engagement found in traditional classrooms. Through discussion forums, collaborative projects, and real-time interactions, instructors can create an environment where students feel connected and valued. Next, we'll discuss the importance of a learner-centered syllabus. By involving students in the course design and providing clear, compassionate guidelines, you can create a syllabus that not only informs but also inspires. We'll cover best practices for making your syllabus a living document that evolves with student needs. Finally, we'll examine how to provide opportunities for connection that enhance student engagement and learning. From personalized feedback and interactive content to inclusive teaching methods, these strategies ensure that every student feels welcome and embraced. Join this session to transform your online course into a dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered learning experience.

In this presentation, we present an early* and evolving exploration of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can augment the assessment development process through automated quiz questions and rubric generation. Join us to discover the potential of AI algorithms to streamline the creation of diverse and effective assessment materials. *This presentation shows early work developed and presented at the Appalachian State University Library's AI Symposium in April 2024 and how the processes have evolved since that time. The presentation covers 5 base topics: 1) Using Gemini to generate quiz questions in Aiken format (for import to an LMS), 2) Use ChatGPT to generate questions, 3) Using ChatGPT to format questions in GIFT format for import to an LMS, 4) Use AI directly in AsULearn (Moodle) to rewrite questions, and 5) Using ChatGPT to generate rubrics. Next we present an update for how these processes have been used and have evolved since they were presented in April of 2024. NOTE: Due to our teaching schedule we are requesting to present on either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. Thanks for your consideration.