AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund
Exploring how AI could be employed to improve teaching and learning or academic administration at Oxford
Applications have now closed for 2024-25
The rapid evolution of AI, and its widespread availability, offers opportunities for experimentation within the collegiate University context.
To support this, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, in partnership with the AI and Machine Learning Competency Centre, has launched a new AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund.
This initiative is supported by Digital Transformation.
What is the AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund?
The objective of the AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund is to support projects that explore how AI could be used within teaching and learning contexts at Oxford. It aims to:
- explore and promote innovative AI applications in teaching and learning, and academic administration
- ensure ethical and academically sound AI usage
- reflect the Russell Group principles on use of AI in education in the collegiate University context.
In 2024-25, eight to 10 projects will receive support through the fund. Support will be in the form of expertise and technical resources from specialists at the Competency Centre, rather than financial support.
How can you apply for support through the fund?
Applications are now open for proposals for projects to be completed in the 2024-25 academic year.
Proposals are invited for projects that explore how AI could be employed to improve teaching and learning or academic administration. Projects will run from Michaelmas term 2024 to Trinity term 2025.
Experience or expertise with AI is not required, as support will be provided by the AI and Machine Learning Competency Centre. All project teams will also be supported by the Centre for Teaching and Learning for the duration of the project.
This call is open to groups or teams of staff involved in undergraduate and postgraduate taught education. Each group or team must include at least three academic and/or professional services staff committed to the project.
Please note:
- the fund is not open to individual applicants
- support through the fund is provided in the form of expertise and technical resources from specialists at the Competency Centre, not financial support.
To apply for support, please complete this application form by 12noon, Wednesday 2 October 2024.
In the application, you will be asked to provide the following:
- The name of the project lead
- The name, role, department and email address of each member of the team
- A brief summary of the area related to teaching, learning, or academic administration you wish to explore (150-300 words)
- The key objectives and anticipated outcomes of the project (100-300 words)
- An indication of how you plan to evaluate the project against the anticipated outcomes (100-250 words).
In addition, you will be asked to confirm that:
- At least one member of your project team can attend an in-person mid-project meeting with other project teams on Wednesday 15 January 2025 from 2-4pm (venue to be advised)
- At least one member of your project team can attend a knowledge exchange event at the end of Trinity term 2025 (date and venue to be advised)
- Your course/programme leader or a senior member of your college (such as Senior Tutor or Registrar, as appropriate) supports your team in undertaking your proposed project.
What are some examples of potential projects?
- Creating and testing a chatbot that answers students’ questions about complex guidance across several difficult-to-access documents
- Exploring opportunities for personalisation of course content in the sciences with a proof-of-concept tool
- Testing generative AI for giving feedback to students on their tutorial writing using a GPT custom bot prototype
- Developing a tool that can help students explore Oxford course content to support learning during tutorials
- Exploring discipline-specific performance of Large Language Models across different tools
- Creation of ad-hoc instructional materials using generative AI tools to respond to student learning needs.
What time commitment will be required?
A typical project team is expected to commit up to 20 days to their project during the 2024-25 academic year. This includes meetings with support staff from the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Competency Centre, and preparation and attendance at two in-person dissemination events.
How many projects will be supported?
As part of the AI Teaching and Learning Exploratory Fund, eight to 10 projects will receive support in the form of expertise and technical resources from the Competency Centre, which will total up to 20 days of support over the 2024-25 academic year. Funding is also available for the cost for licenses etc associated with the project appropriate to the scope.
Please note that financial support will not be provided, although there will be support available for the costs of licenses etc associated with the project appropriate to the scope.
What support will you receive in preparing your application?
We recommend that you attend one of our online information sessions and one or more of our application support sessions.
At these sessions, specialists from the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Competency Centre will be available to provide advice on educational and technical approaches.
How can you book for an online information session?
Information sessions are to find out more about the exploratory fund and to support initial conversations about your project and connect with peers also interested in submitting a proposal for a project.
You do not need to book for an information session. Just click on one of the iCal files below to add the session and joining link to your calendar. To open and use these iCal files, download the file, then double-click on it to open it in your Outlook app, or if you are on a Mac, import it via Outlook's 'Import' feature.
How can you book for an application support session?
Application support sessions are the opportunity to gain 1-1 feedback on your proposed project and your application ahead of submission.
Please click on this link to book a slot for a support session during one of the following times:
- Monday 19 August, 1–3pm (via Teams: 30 min bookable sessions)
- Tuesday 3 September, 10am–12noon (via Teams: 30 min bookable sessions)
- Wednesday 11 September, 1–3pm (via Teams: 30 min bookable sessions)
- Thursday 19 September, 10am–12noon (in-person, Littlegate House (Seminar Room, Level 2), 16/17 St Ebbe's, Oxford OX1 1PT)
- Tuesday 24 September, 11am–1pm (via Teams: 30 min bookable sessions)
- Tuesday 1 October, 9–11am (via Teams: 30 min bookable sessions)
What is the application review process?
All proposals will be reviewed by a panel led by Professor Martin Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education). The panel comprises academic and professional services staff from across the collegiate University who will review how well applicants have addressed the questions in the application form.
How will your project findings be disseminated?
If your application is successful, your project group will have an opportunity to connect with peers and exchange insights during an in-person mid-project meeting hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Competency Centre on Wednesday 15 January 2025 from 2-4pm (venue to be advised).
Your project outputs will include a final report (template to be provided) and digital artifacts, which will be shared with the collegiate University to inform AI exploration and integration in teaching and learning or academic administration.
To help disseminate the findings from your project, an in-person knowledge exchange event will be organised at the end of Trinity term 2025 to facilitate the sharing of insights, outcomes, and best practices among participants. At least one member of each project team will be required to attend this event.
What are the key dates for 2024-25?
|
Call for project proposals opens |
9am, Monday 5 August 2024 |
|
Information and application support sessions |
August-September |
|
Call for project proposals closes |
12noon, Wednesday 2 October 2024 |
|
Outcome from call for proposals announced |
W/C Monday 21 October 2024 |
|
Mid-project meeting for project teams (in-person) |
Wednesday 15 January 2025, 2-4pm Venue to be announced |
|
Knowledge exchange event (in-person)
|
End Trinity term 2025 Date and venue to be announced |
|
Final project report and associated resources to be submitted |
End Trinity term 2025 Date to be announced |
