2025 Summit Information

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Carla-Elaine Johnson, MFA, Ph.D is an educator, scholar, and writer. Her research and teaching interests include Developmental Writing;  Creative Writing; Graphic Novels and the Comic Book, and Literature for student success in 21st Century education. Her latest work in progress, the OER English textbook for first year students, _New Frontier_ emphasizes the five college learning outcomes desired for Minn State students and is currently in testing during AY25-26.

Ethical AI approaches lead to successful educational integrations between critical thinking and student AI use. This session includes best practices for the classroom environment.

One recent frustration for educators is the rise in student AI use and its effect on knowledge integration. Using AI through an ethical lens helps. Students can make an informed judgement about using AI in their work without misplaced faith or excessive fear. (Ross and Baines 2024). While biases and AI limitations are known, (Baidoo-anu and Owusu Ansah 2023), the use of an “educational ethical framework for AI use” (Vetter et. al 2024) can lead to a more harmonious interaction between AI which is here to stay, and academic rigor. This consideration leads to successful educational integration. Dr. Johnson will present one solution, which is the usage of oral exams to assess student needs and facilitate a deeper understanding (Allison, 2021; Huxam et al., 2012). This method works for students in writing classes, including those with disability concerns, by relieving the pressure felt regarding grading practices.