The AI-ducation Problem
Biography
About Eric Mazur: PETAL is delighted to welcome back Dr. Eric Mazur as our keynote speaker and as a panelist for our discussion on Faculty/Student Partnerships to Enhance Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Eric Mazur served as the inaugural Ilene Dresner Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the University of Miami for 2024-2025. Dr. Mazur is the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics and Area Chair of Applied Physics at Harvard University, Member of the Faculty of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Past President of the Optical Society. An internationally recognized scientist and researcher, he leads a vigorous research program in optical physics in the Physics Department at Harvard University. Mazur founded several companies and plays an active role in industry. In addition to his work in optical physics, Mazur has been very active in education. In 1990 he began developing Peer Instruction, a method for teaching large lecture classes interactively. He is the author of Peer Instruction: A User's Manual (Prentice Hall, 1997), a book that explains how to teach large lecture classes interactively. In 2006 he helped produce the award-winning DVD Interactive Teaching. Dr. Mazur's teaching method has developed a large following, both nationally and internationally, and has been adopted across many disciplines. Dr. Mazur is author or co-author of 380 scientific publications, 52 patents, and several books, including the Principles and Practice of Physics (Pearson, 2015), a book that presents a groundbreaking new approach to teaching introductory calculus-based physics.
Learning Circles Program
We invite the University of Miami teaching community to submit proposals for 30-minute sessions (including Q&A) as part of our Learning Circles session.
In the past year, faculty across the university have been enhancing their courses through methods such as:
- Leveraging artificial intelligence in the design of course content and activities
- Creating more inclusive teaching practices
- Facilitating virtual exchanges through the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) framework
- Using alternative forms of assessment
- Implementing experiential learning through labs, internships, capstones, hands-on activities, etc.
- Including virtual and augmented reality experiences for students
- Collaborating with student partners in course design
We invite faculty to submit proposals about these topics or other ways they are leveraging their teaching practices to improve the student experience and learning outcomes.
Learning Circles Format
Several roundtable discussions will happen concurrently in the Expo Center for a total of two rounds where speakers will lead 30-minute discussions. This is an opportunity for you to discuss your innovative use of teaching strategies, resources, promoting diversity and equity, and/or educational technology in the classroom, having participants part with some key takeaways and possible resources. Please consider saving time within your 30-minute discussion for questions. If selected, your learning circle will be chosen for the 10:55am-11:25am session or the 11:30am- 12:00pm session.
Timeline
10:55-11:25am Learning Circles #1
11:25-11:30am Break for participants to pick another table
11:30-12:00pm Learning Circles #2
Deadline
Proposals are due on Friday, September 19. Notifications and next steps will be sent by the following week. If you have any questions about learning circles or the Faculty Showcase please email PETAL@miami.edu
Apply here!
Panel Discussion
Partners in Education – Faculty/Student Partnerships to Enhance Teaching and Learning
