Introducing the Instructional Innovation and Transformation Team

As the educational landscape continues to evolve, the need for innovative instructional approaches and new technologies has never been more critical. With the rapid rise of tools like Generative AI, faculty and departments are faced with new opportunities and challenges in fostering student success. The Instructional Innovation and Transformation team is here to guide, support, and empower our university community through these changes.

This team is uniquely positioned to help faculty navigate and leverage emerging technologies to enhance their teaching practices. A focus for the upcoming academic year will be providing practical opportunities for instructors to experiment and engage with these tools, understanding their potential and limitations within a classroom context. By encouraging a "learn by doing" approach, the team aims to demystify AI and promote informed, confident use of these technologies.

Beyond technological innovation, the team is dedicated to a broad scope of instructional transformation. We provide comprehensive support that spans optimizing course design, enhancing courses within UB Learns, and advancing experiential and active learning strategies. Our mission includes offering ongoing workshops, individualized consultations, and collaborative meetings with department chairs, all aimed at aligning teaching practices with evolving educational goals. This holistic approach ensures that faculty are supported in every aspect of their instructional needs, from course structure to hands-on learning experiences.

A key element of the team’s strategy is fostering collaboration and shared learning across the university. While offering tailored support for individual instructors, the team is also focused on building relationships at the departmental and unit levels. These connections are essential for fostering a culture of instructional success, where faculty can exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaboratively explore new teaching methods.

Recognizing that the integration of AI and other emerging technologies comes with many unknowns, the Instructional Innovation and Transformation team is committed to working alongside faculty to discover solutions together. The team does not have all the answers, but by actively participating in the university-wide AI Implementation Task Force and other collaborative initiatives, they are dedicated to ensuring that UB remains at the forefront of instructional innovation.

We invite all faculty members to connect with us to explore how these evolving efforts can support your instructional goals. Whether you are looking to integrate new technologies, reimagine your teaching practices, or better engage your students, the Instructional Innovation and Transformation team is here to support you every step of the way.

Currently, we are also accepting proposals for our AI Seed Funds initiative, which offers financial support for innovative projects that integrate generative AI into teaching. Learn more and submit your proposal here.

For more details, or to discuss your specific needs, please reach out to us at ubcatt@buffalo.edu. Stay tuned for upcoming events, workshops, and initiatives that will provide further opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow together.