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Session 2a LEARN: AI 101 - October 1, 2025

Overview

Today’s event, AI in Teaching: Ethics and Considerations, brought together faculty to explore some of the key ethical questions surrounding AI in teaching and learning. Alethea Inns, Associate Instructional Technology Support Specialist at UNLV, began the session with a presentation on how large language models work and how this shapes the ethical implications for teaching. Next, Ted Weisman, Digital Teaching Manager for UNLV Online, facilitated a think-pair-share that asked attendees to reflect on their comfort level using AI in a variety of teaching categories and to provide rationale for their answers. In the share session, many faculty in attendance agreed they found AI was useful in generating content such as images, create a first draft of materials, generating scenario-based activities, and for administrative tasks. Most felt that grading or providing student feedback, remained the instructor’s responsibility, noting that this task was at the core of cultivating relationships with students. Faculty considered what students would want, and expressed the value of feedback in developing trust, rapport and learning. Relational teaching and the human element of feedback were emphasized as irreplaceable.

The session concluded with a presentation from Jesse Fitts, Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Philosophy, who is currently teaching two courses at UNLV on AI and Ethics. His talk centered on AI and deskilling, raising questions about cognitive offloading and the current research on the impact of AI on student learning. He addressed widespread concerns that students may miss opportunities for deeper learning when they rely too quickly on AI, and reviewed some of the emerging research in this area. He noted that the existing scholarship in this area is still quite thin, that many studies to date lack rigor, and that much more work is needed before strong conclusions can be drawn. He also shared that studies of technological disruptors (AI and in other instances) observe that in some cases deskilling in one area, can simultaneously create opportunities for ‘upskilling’ in others. He illustrated this with examples, such as his previous role as a writing instructor, noting a shift away from spending significant time on citation mechanics toward fostering creativity, critical thinking, and higher-order problem solving. Faculty discussed this cost–benefit balance and how to prepare students for a future where AI is integrated into academic and professional practice.

Faculty Insights:

Poll - How are you using AI in your teaching practice?

Resources Shared

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