Designing for AI Literacy, Career Readiness, and Confident Practice
How are faculty actually using AI in their courses and how are students expected to work with AI after graduation? How can faculty prepare students now for jobs that will require AI use?
The CRTLE AI Course Redesign Institute on May 14, 2026 is Hybrid/Flexible format provides face-to-face and virtual options to join with asynchronous learning for everyone and brings UTA faculty together for a highly practical, hands on experience focused on AI literacy, career readiness, and course level application. This institute is designed for instructors who want time to explore, try, redesign, and leave with something tangible and not just a “sit and get” experience.
Rather than focusing on “what AI might do someday,” this institute centers on what faculty are doing now, what employers are asking for, what AI Literacy skills are needed, and how we can intentionally align AI literacy learning outcomes (SLOs) with disciplinary teaching and student success.
Why This Institute, and Why Now?
As AI becomes increasingly present across fields—not just technical roles—faculty are navigating new questions about student learning outcomes, academic integrity, workforce expectations, and confidence with emerging tools. This institute responds to those questions by creating space to slow down, reflect, and design with intention.
The work builds directly on ongoing efforts at UTA, including the development of AI literacy SLOs, the work of the AI advisory group, and connections across CRTLE programs such as Technology Test Kitchens, Faculty Voices, and course redesign initiatives. Consistent with prior summer programming, the institute emphasizes a modular, reflective, and application focused approach, rather than content delivery alone.
- Stay grounded in practical teaching practice (“What I’m doing / what faculty are doing and need to do”)
- Provide time to explore tools, share pedagogy, and redesign assignments
- Learn from peers and experts
- Connect AI use to student learning outcomes, career readiness, and workforce expectations
- Situate the institute within a broader AI ecosystem at UTA and not as a standalone event
This institute builds directly on:
- Ongoing development of AI literacy SLOs
- Work of an emerging AI advisory group
- Connections to CRTLE programs such as Technology Test Kitchens, Faculty Voices, and course redesign initiatives
- Summer programming principles that prioritize modular design, reflection, dialogue, and application
Career Focus Theme: What the Workforce Is Asking For
A core theme of the institute is career readiness and AI literacy.
Faculty will hear updates on:
- How employers are currently using AI to boost productivity
- What “working with AI” looks like across fields—not just technical roles
- How confidence, judgment, and ethical use matter as much as tool familiarity
Sessions will emphasize experiential, hands on activities that help faculty:
- Design assignments that build student confidence with AI
- Create rehearsal spaces, simulations, and scaffolded practice
- Translate AI use into skills students can explain to employers
What You’ll Work On (Not Just Learn About)
This institute is intentionally designed to be workshop-heavy.
Participants will be asked to arrive with:
- A one page course snapshot or
- A brief assignment or activity they want to redesign
The in person day will prioritize:
- Fewer panels, more doing
- 2–3 short design sprints
- Time to test tools, brainstorm applications, and get feedback
- Space to “try things” with support in the room
Faculty will also be introduced to campus supported resources, including:
- AAC&U AI and teaching resources (curated and maintained through CRTLE)
- UTA Libraries’ AI citation module in Canvas
- Career aligned AI tools and frameworks
- Writing focused approaches to AI integration (with contributions from Amy Hodges)
Institute Structure: Four Connected Parts
The institute is designed as a connected experience, not a single event.
Faculty will begin with light pre work, shared through the CRTLE website and blog, including short readings, AI literacy framing, and examples. Participants will submit their course snapshot or redesign focus in advance so the in person day can remain workshop centered.
The May 14 institute day will combine brief framing segments with extended hands on design time. Participation is limited to 30 in person faculty, with a waitlist and hybrid participation available.
Following the institute, faculty will engage in a two week design sprint, applying ideas in their own courses with optional peer exchange. A follow up virtual session in early summer will provide space to share changes, reflect on outcomes, and learn from one another. Recordings and curated materials will be published on the CRTLE website, with continued access through a shared Teams channel.
Certificates of completion will be based on participation across components (pre work, institute day, and post reflection).
