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Distance Learning Leadership

The purpose of the Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education courses is to address the emergence and role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. The purpose of these courses is to help staff and faculty learn about how AI impacts teaching, learning, enrollment, retention, and student success. The courses should also help the participants learn the competencies (knowledge and skills) needed to take AI into account in their roles as instructors, administrators, or staff members. 

There are 2 online asynchronous courses. The courses are 6 weeks in length each, and they contain approximately 3 to 5 hours of work each week. The courses are interactive with instructor feedback to participants and capped at 20 registrants. 

Courses may be taken individually or in tandem. The recommended order is Course 1 followed by Course 2, however, these courses are designed to stand alone. A digital badge will be awarded for the completion of each course. 

Course Details

Course 1: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Higher Education

Instructor: Jackie Zkaib

Target audience: All staff, administrators, and instructors working in higher education 

Those who complete this course will be able to:

  • Understand the history and evolution of artificial intelligence tools
  • Explore and understand basic AI concepts: how AI tools work and their applications in higher education
  • Assess the benefits, risks, and ethical implications of AI in higher education, considering academic integrity, social justice, access, and privacy

    Suggested textbook: Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (2018) by Joseph E. Aoun. ISBN 9780262535977 Paperback on Amazon $13.52 Kindle $11.74


Course 2: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Effectively in Teaching and Learning

Instructor: Allison Hosier

Target audience: Higher education instructors or those who support teaching and learning(teaching and learning center staff, instructional designers, librarians, etc.)

Those who complete this course will be able to:

  • Understand the implications of AI tools for teaching and learning in higher education -especially as it relates to ethics and academic integrity (course policies, AI detection tools, ethical versus unethical uses of generative AI, etc.)
  • Identify how AI concepts, tools, and applications can cultivate student-driven learning
  • Evaluate examples (good and bad) of how to redesign courses and assignments, taking AI into account
  • Redesign their own courses and assignments through experimentation with AI tools

    Meet the Instructors

    Ryan McCabe

    Ryan earned a baccalaureate in History from SUNY Potsdam in 2002 and an MS in Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching from Buffalo State University in 2012. He is currently pursuing his Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Louisiana Monroe. Ryan worked as an Online Learning Technician at SUNY Canton from 2006 to 2008, then transitioned to Finger Lakes Community College, holding the roles of Instructional Designer, Assistant Director of Online Learning, and Director of Online Learning until 2019. As the Associate Vice president of Academic Technology and High Impact Practices, Ryan’s responsibilities include curriculum development and oversight, Online Learning, Career and Workforce Solutions, Adult Basic Education, Applied Learning, Global Learning, articulation agreements, and Academic Technology. Ryan has presented regionally and nationally on the HyFlex learning framework, grew the college’s online degree offerings from 12 to 23 fully online programs or certificates, and recently led a professional development day session on “Leading with Empathy.” Ryan has been published in NILOA regarding assessment in online learning, co-wrote the Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology Task Group: Examining Pedagogy in Online Domains, and has been published in the OLJ, the official journal of the Online Learning Consortium. He was also interviewed by EdTech Quarterly (Spring 2022) to discuss the changing landscape for adult learning. Ryan received the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service in 2015 and the SUNY Faculty Advisory Council’s inaugural FACT2 Excellence Award in Administrative Leadership at a Community College, a SUNY honor designed to confer system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement. Ryan also teaches in the Computer Science department in an adjunct role.

    Danielle O’Brien

    Danyelle O’Brien is an experienced educator and leader in online learning, curriculum development, and student success. Serving as the Director of Extended Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence at SUNY Alfred State College of Technology, she leads the Center for Online Learning, Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, and Center for Extended Learning teams. She is currently working on her PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, and the Science of Learning from the University at Buffalo.

    Danyelle’s expertise includes instructional design, faculty mentorship, and developing student-centered policies. She has been instrumental in securing millions of dollars in grants to improve accessibility and retention in higher education. An active researcher and presenter, she has contributed to publications on instructional technology and student engagement.  Danyelle is a certified Gallup Strengths Coach who values strengths based cultures and conversations. Beyond academia, Danyelle serves her community as a volunteer firefighter and town councilperson.

    Course Pricing

    CPD Member

    $300 Per Course

    Discounted course pricing is available when registering for four courses at one time

    $260 per course 

    Non-CPD Member

    $350 Per Course

    Discounted course pricing is available when registering for four courses at one time 

    $310 per course 

    Non-SUNY

    $400 Per Course

    Discounted course pricing is available when registering for four courses at one time

    $360 per course 

    How to Pay

    Available payment methods are:

    • Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
    • CPD General Points  
    • Campus Check
    • Journal Transfer

    CPD General/Technical Points: To pay with CPD General or Technical Points, your campus must be a CPD Member. Check if your campus is a member. It is the responsibility of the registrant to determine if enough points are available to use BEFORE completing the registration process. Please contact your Campus Points Contact to determine points eligibility.  If points are denied, the registrant is responsible for the payment.  

    Campus Check: Prior campus approval is required. Make check payable to SUNY Center for Professional Development. Mail to SUNY CPD at the address below. 

    Journal Transfer (State Operated Campuses Only): Prior campus approval is required. An account number with authorizing signature for Journal Transfers is required within 48 hours. You must print and return the invoice that is included with the registration confirmation email.

    Important: FULL payment is required 30 days from the date of registration.

    Registration

    Spring 2025 & Fall 2025 Course Dates

    SPRING 2025 (CANCELED)

      • Course 1: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Higher Education                              March 18th-April 28, 2025
      • Course 2: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Effectively in Teaching and Learning                   May 14th-June 26th, 2025    

    Contact Us

    For programming questions, please contact Jamie Heron, SUNY Online Program Manager at jamie.heron@suny.edu. For registration questions, please contact Alli Guzman-Martinez, SUNY CPD Program Coordinator at alli.guzmanmartinez@suny.edu.

    The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) supports a wide range of professional development opportunities for the academic, technical, and leadership communities across the SUNY System.

    Phone: 315-214-2440