In a one-hour webinar hosted by Inside Higher Education and sponsored by Watermark, Dr. Freeman was one of three expert panelists who discussed the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. The panel uniquely shifted the conversation from "if" AI should be used to "how" it should be integrated responsibly into coursework and administrative tasks. Comprising higher education professionals and ed tech experts, the audience was introduced to real-world applications of large-language-model-based AI, as well as best practices for implementing AI technologies in an educational setting. The session unapologetically explored the role of AI in modern academia, emphasizing its inevitable presence and the need for thoughtful guidelines.
Delivered by Dr. Lane Freeman, the enlightening session "Integrating Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education" offers a well-rounded approach to employing cutting-edge technologies in the educational landscape of primary and secondary schools. Especially relevant to schools in Eastern North Carolina, the presentation elucidates the potential of Lifelong Learning Models (LLMs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern pedagogy. In addition to showcasing AI tools like ChatGPT for enhancing classroom interactions, the talk also features a special segment dedicated to kindergarten and elementary teachers. This segment demonstrates how AI can be utilized to generate images for creating custom coloring books, adding a unique layer of interactivity to the learning environment. The presentation also explores how AI can offer personalized learning experiences for students and serve as a resource-saving tool for educators. To foster audience engagement, the session incorporates various interactive activities and discussion prompts. In summary, this talk stands as a crucial guide for K-12 educators aiming to capitalize on AI's capabilities to uplift educational outcomes.
The NC ACCESS Fall Conference hosted professionals from Early Childhood Education, Teacher Preparation, and Educator Preparation Programs at Craven Community College campus. The presentation covered various web-based technologies including:
NearPod
Collaborate Boards
PHET Simulations
Padlet
VoiceThread
Brief Overview of ChatGPT
This presentation discussed the application of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) strategies and ther CCR Framework in the context of community college adult education, highlighting how these student-centric approaches can be leveraged to enhance learners' readiness for college and the professional world. Real-world examples, discuss outcomes, and share practical steps for educators to integrate these strategies into their existing curriculum was shared.
hosted by NC Community College Success Center
Facilitated by Dr. Lane Freeman, the presentation titled "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education" serves as an essential guide for faculty interested in integrating innovative technologies into their educational settings. The presentation covers a range of key topics, from the fundamentals of Lifelong Learning Models (LLMs) and AI to practical tools like ChatGPT. It also addresses how AI can enhance student engagement and provide time-saving benefits for career development. Designed to be interactive, the session features various prompts to actively engage the audience. Overall, the presentation serves as a valuable primer for educators looking to leverage AI to improve educational outcomes.
Career and Technical Education: Developing Employability Skills Community of Practice
This Community of Practice focuses on engaging educators and program leaders at the middle and high school levels. These professionals will guide students in acquiring essential skills for present and future achievements. This initiative encourages participants to envision their students' preparedness for the future and integrate AVID teaching techniques to enhance student success. The program emphasizes active student engagement in building vital professional abilities such as critical thinking, teamwork, and organization, aiding in their overall career goals. It offers varied learning experiences for educators to assess and adapt to their unique teaching environments, aiming to equip all students for a dynamic and competitive global arena. The Community of Practice incorporates strategies, digital activities, and tools that are applicable in traditional, hybrid, or online educational settings.
Presented at Scam Jam hosted by United Way, Rocky Mount, NC
This presentation educated the audience on the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital fraud targeting senior citizens. It introduced AI, illustrated how it powers scams like phishing and deepfakes, and discussed a real-world kidnapping scam incident. The presentation emphasized the importance of digital literacy and awareness, providing strategies for scam prevention and response. An interactive quiz tested the audience's understanding of scam avoidance, and a segment on social media scams broadened awareness scope. The objective was to equip the audience with essential knowledge to safely navigate the digital world, fostering a culture of vigilance against AI-driven scams.
Scammers are using AI in increasingly sophisticated cons - Rocky Mount Telegram
Dr. Freeman engaged with a diverse group of academic advisors from the North Carolina Community College System in a groundbreaking session aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to elevate the advising process. As an expert in educational technology, Dr. Lane met with academic advisor leaders from across the state to explore innovative AI applications designed to enhance efficiency. The workshop centered on the development of an AI prompt to assist students in self-advising, thereby streamlining their preparatory process for more impactful advisor meetings.
In his presentation, Dr. Freeman introduced practical AI tools for creating personalized student recommendation letters and automating email correspondence to various stakeholders, showcasing the significant time-saving benefits these technologies offer. Additionally, he demonstrated how AI could be employed to design marketing materials, such as flyers and images, to effectively promote key events like registration drives. These applications spotlight the potential of AI in transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for creativity and increased engagement in the community college setting.
The session concluded with Dr. Freeman's call to action for the integration of AI within the academic advising framework, marking a step toward a technologically advanced future for the community college system. The productive discourse set forth a vision of innovation and collaboration, highlighting the commitment to continuous improvement and the strategic use of technology to meet the evolving needs of the educational community.
This presentation delved into fostering self-regulation among dual enrollment students and young adults in community colleges, crucial for academic and career success. It outlines the faculty’s role in developing these skills, identifying challenges, and providing actionable strategies for enhancing self-regulation, ensuring lifelong success and workforce readiness.
Dr. Lane Freeman embarked on a collaborative initiative with faculty and directors of the North Carolina Community College teacher preparation program, with the objective of crafting six innovative courses. Demonstrating a hands-on approach, Dr. Freeman led a workshop where faculty members were introduced to the capabilities of ChatGPT for course design. This immersive session focused on leveraging AI to create comprehensive course outlines, generate content ideas, and develop resources.
The participating faculty experienced firsthand the transformative power of ChatGPT, which facilitated a rapid development process, translating into weeks’ worth of time savings accomplished in mere hours. The interactive workshop provided them with practical skills to harness AI in education, streamlining their course development workflow. The enthusiasm was palpable, with many expressing astonishment at the efficiency and effectiveness of integrating AI into their course planning strategy.
Dr. Freeman's work has not only enriched the teacher preparation program with six new courses but has also instilled a culture of innovation and technological fluency among the educators. This initiative stands as a testament to the potential of AI in reshaping educational development, heralding a new era of productivity and ingenuity in curriculum design.
This paper explores the role of self-regulation in the academic success of dual enrollment students and young adults (ages 14-24) attending community colleges, and the implications for workforce readiness. Self-regulation is not an innate ability but a skill that is progressively nurtured and has profound implications for a student's ability to meet deadlines, manage time effectively, and perform in the workforce. The role of faculty in fostering co-regulation to develop students' self-regulation skills is discussed, underscoring the importance of interpersonal relationships and a supportive learning environment. The paper identifies various factors that contribute to self-regulation difficulties, including developmental, personal, and environmental factors, and suggests strategies for supporting the development of self-regulation skills. Furthermore, it addresses potential challenges and limitations of implementing co-regulation strategies in a diverse student population. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of self-regulation not only for academic success but also for lifelong success and career progression.
The Spring 2024 kickoff for the IT division at Wake Tech was a successful event, as Dr. Lane Freeman presented on the captivating subject of Generative AI. The session was a tremendous success, eliciting a series of insightful questions and stimulating discussions. The team’s enthusiasm to explore this advanced technology was demonstrated by their request for a follow-up professional development series. This event underscores the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in driving innovation.