Cultivate is hosted by the Academic Development Centre at the University of Warwick. It is an open access series of events and resources to support learning, teaching and assessment that caters to all experience levels, ranging from early career academics to those leading modules and programmes. The Cultivate seminar series supports sector-wide community explorations of all things related to HE teaching, learning and assessment.

Cultivate supports individual professional learning as well as providing a platform for colleagues to share their work and connect with wide and diverse communities.

At a glance:

Cultivating Employability Skills: The Integration of GenAI Literacy in an undergraduate module

Dr Tadhg Blommerde, Northumbria University, Thursday 28th November 2024, 1pm – 2pm.

Teaching through bespoke games

Claire Robertson, Harper Adams University, Wednesday 22nd January 2025, 2pm - 3pm.

Climate Change Pedagogy: From Campus to the Curriculum and vice-versa

Dr Tânia Dias Fonseca, Kingston University, Wednesday 12^th March 2025, 2pm – 3pm.

Co-Creating Future Learning: Inclusive Innovation with AI

Dr Kerem Öge, University of Warwick, Wednesday 14th May 2025, 2pm - 3pm.

Cultivating Employability Skills: The Integration of GenAI Literacy in an undergraduate module

Dr Tadhg Blommerde, Northumbria University, Thursday 28th November 2024, 1pm – 2pm (MS Teams)

This session explores integrating GenAI literacy into a module at Northumbria University, enhancing student employability and adapting to technological advancements. By partnering with students in curriculum design, we promoted inclusivity and ensured learning experiences were shaped by those they aim to benefit. This approach not only enhanced GenAI literacy—a critical employability skill—but also fostered ethical and critical use of AI technologies. Effectiveness was evaluated through continuous feedback, allowing real-time curriculum adjustments. This workshop covers: implementing GenAI in curriculum design, enhancing employability through AI literacy, and creating inclusive teaching methods. We aim to equip participants with strategies for responsibly integrating GenAI into teaching, preparing students for an AI-enhanced workplace while fostering a collaborative classroom culture. This model reflects sector-wide aims to integrate emerging technologies in educational settings.

At the end of this session, participants should have gained knowledge about:

-Applying GenAI in Curriculum Design.

-Enhancing Student Employability through AI Literacy.

- Implementing Inclusive and Adaptive Teaching Methods.

Book your place via this link.

Teaching through bespoke games

Claire Robertson, Harper Adams University, Wednesday 22nd January 2025, 2pm - 3pm (MS Teams)

Join us for a fast-paced board game jam, where creativity and collaboration take centre stage! This remote session on Teams invites you to brainstorm and develop unique board game ideas. Using Padlet or similar as our shared resource, you’ll generate individual concepts, then collaborate to create an exciting new game prototype.

Purpose:

The session aims to spark your creativity and enhance your problem-solving skills as we collectively design a board game. Whether you’re a seasoned game enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is a chance to engage in hands-on creativity and spark ideas for your own educational games.

Benefits:

• Creative Thinking: Explore innovative ideas and learn the basics of game design.
• Team Collaboration: Work together to blend diverse concepts into a cohesive game.
• Practical Insight: Experience the process of turning abstract ideas into concrete prototypes.

No experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and imagination. Let’s create something interesting together!

Book your place via this link.

Climate Change Pedagogy: From Campus to the Curriculum and vice-versa

Dr Tânia Dias Fonseca, Kingston University, Wednesday 12^thMarch 2025, 2pm – 3pm (MS Teams)

Higher education institutions actively invest resources to achieve net zero carbon targets across the sector. In this session, participants will be invited to reflect on inequalities exacerbated by climate change impacts, connecting sustainability and inclusion agendas. Concepts such as just sustainabilities, environmental justice, climate justice, and energy justice will be at the centre of the discussions, as well as how they impact our diverse body of students, directly or indirectly.
Participants will explore innovative approaches to addressing climate change in this interactive session, bridging the gap between academic and operational realms. Case studies and educational toolkits for climate change pedagogy and green skills will be shared to foster the development of just transitions to a low-carbon industry and economy.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

- recognise inequalities resulting/exacerbated by climate change;
- understand concepts such as just sustainabilities, environmental justice, climate justice, and energy justice;
- identify innovative learning and teaching practices for climate action.

Book your place via this link.

Co-Creating Future Learning: Inclusive Innovation with AI

Dr Kerem Öge, University of Warwick, Wednesday 14th May 2025, 2pm - 3pm (MS Teams)

This session explores the co-creation of the ‘Politics of Artificial Intelligence’ module at the University of Warwick, collaboratively developed by staff and students. Initiated in 2023, the project integrates AI into seminar activities and assessments, with a focus on inclusivity and innovation. Co-creators identified key themes in AI Politics and designed AI-based seminar activities, such as simulated political campaigns and mock stakeholder interviews. They also proposed assessments involving debates with ChatGPT, which evaluate both critical thinking and AI proficiency.

The initial application of these innovations highlights enhanced student engagement, a deeper understanding of AI’s societal role, and potential broader impacts on teaching practices. This co-creation process demonstrates how AI can transform educational practices, fostering dynamic and effective learning experiences in higher education.

In this seminar, participants will have the opportunity to explore how these co-creation strategies and AI-based activities can be adapted and applied to their own teaching contexts. The session aims to empower educators to innovate in their assessments and co-creation practices, offering insights and practical tools for integrating AI into learning. By attending, participants will feel inspired to reimagine their teaching approaches, leveraging AI to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

By the end of this session, participants should be able to:

1.Understand the importance of co-creation and inclusivity in innovation.

2.Feel empowered to innovate in assessments and teaching practices.

Book your place via this link.