Key Takeaways from The Human Touch: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This guest post is by Amy Pinkerton, Senior Instructional Designer at the Center for Teaching and Learning.
This July marked the third annual Picnic PD (Professional Development) workshop series from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The theme, Human Touch: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), arose from the prominent conversations around AI's integration in teaching and learning.
Human First: Applying the AI Sandwich Framework in Public Health Teaching
The series started with an introduction to the AI Sandwich. This framework emphasizes a simple three-part principle:
- Think first
- Use AI as a tool
- Then think again afterward
Using the framework, faculty then explored how AI can strengthen the human qualities at the heart of teaching and learning.
HopGPT as a Concierge Service to Promote and Support Learners’ Agency in Building Knowledge
While the first workshop focused on a framework, the second showcased a specific AI tool, HopGPT, and how it can act as a personalized “concierge service” for learning. Grounded in research on adult learning and Self-Directed Learning (SDL) theory, the session highlighted how AI can be prompted to suggest strategies that consider learners’ personal needs and strengths to progress through the stages of SDL.
The Human-Heart of the Feedback Process in the World of AI
The third workshop examined how faculty can preserve the humanity of feedback while thoughtfully using AI to support the process. Attendees explored the unique role that faculty expertise, empathy, and relationship-building play in helping students develop as learners and professionals. While AI can assist with tasks such as generating explanations, drafting rubric language, creating feedback comment banks, and helping instructors refine the clarity and consistency of their comments, the analysis of students’ work and the feedback itself still come directly from the instructor.
The Human Touch: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The series ended with a special panel featuring Jennifer Applegate, Abi Glaum, Brian Klaas, and Lymari Morales. The panelists encouraged educators to focus on the uniquely human elements of teaching that AI cannot replicate or replace. They highlighted strategies such as storytelling, case studies, community-based projects, peer feedback, and reflective activities to help students demonstrate authentic learning.
Across the series, one message has remained constant: while generative AI is reshaping higher education, meaningful teaching and learning remain deeply human.
Watch the Recordings
You can watch the recordings of all past Picnic PD workshops by visiting CTL’s On-Demand Workshop Videos page. Consider also watching the recordings from past Picnic PD series, 2025: Learner-Centered Teaching and Learning and 2024: Special Topics from CTL.
A New Series from CTL
The theme, The Human Touch: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, resonated strongly with BSPH faculty, staff, and teaching assistants. Building on that enthusiasm, CTL is excited to launch PLAY: Pedagogy, Learning, and AI in Your Classroom, a new series of workshops, trainings, and events focused on the practice and limitations of AI for teaching and learning. Upcoming PLAY Events are posted on the CTL Events Calendar.