Teaching and Learning Seminar for Fall 2026: Scaffolding Deep Learning in the Age of AI

The Sherrerd Center for Teaching and Learning in collaboration with Learning Research & Technology is pleased to announce a joint Teaching and Learning Seminar for Fall 2026 focused on the broad topic of Scaffolding Deep Learning in the Age of AI. We invite faculty and staff who teach to apply to this program to explore a particular pedagogical problem that relates to AI (e.g., developing AI usage policies, excluding its use through careful assignment/assessment design, incorporating AI tutors into their courses, etc.). Fellows will work on this pedagogical problem throughout Fall 2026 and participate in biweekly Friday seminar meetings with members of the Sherrerd Team and LRT where we will discuss the literature around how people learn, grapple with the disruptions and opportunities introduced by AI, and facilitate discussion. The seminar seeks to support and address each member’s particular pedagogical challenge while generating a broader community of practice. Fellows will be paid a research stipend for their participation, and there is an expectation that upon completion, members of this group will serve as resources to our larger community through participation in Teaching Arts Luncheons, Teaching Circles, or other forms of engagement.

Expectations: Fellows will attend a 2-hour kickoff meeting September 3 from 10:15 am to 12:15 pm, followed by lunch; biweekly meetings on Fridays from 12:15–2:15 PM on 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, and 11/13. Wrap-up meeting on December 17th, time TBD.

Supports: Faculty will engage with selected readings from the literature of the learning sciences, be introduced to the full suite of AI tools available to faculty, staff and students at Smith, and receive support in their teaching from a combined Sherrerd Center/LRT team. Each participant will receive research funds and lunch provided at all Friday meetings.

Application: Please fill out this form by June 1. Applicants will be notified by the end of June of their acceptance.

Contact

Please reach out to sherrerdcenter@smith.edu with any questions!