AI Literacy

The AI Literacy Workgroup within OCCDLA provides essential training, guidelines, and best practices. By prioritizing AI literacy, community colleges can enhance distance learning, improve student outcomes, and prepare learners for success in an AI-driven world.

Community colleges serve diverse learners, including working adults, first-generation students, and those seeking career advancement. As AI reshapes education and the workforce, AI literacy is essential for student success, workforce readiness, and equitable access to technology.

For distance learning, AI-powered tools can enhance student engagement, streamline course facilitation, and provide personalized learning experiences. However, without AI literacy, faculty may struggle to integrate these tools effectively, and students may misuse AI or fail to critically assess AI-generated content. Developing AI literacy ensures faculty can leverage AI to improve course design, automate administrative tasks, and support student learning while maintaining academic integrity.

Additionally, community colleges play a critical role in workforce development. AI literacy equips students with the digital skills needed for AI-driven industries, ensuring they can navigate evolving job markets. Faculty and staff also need AI literacy to make informed decisions about instructional technology, data privacy, and ethical AI use.

Goal and activities that support the OCCDLA strategic Direction

Goal: Address the evolving landscape of education and the workforce by providing essential training, guidelines, and best practices to enhance distance learning, improve student outcomes, and prepare learners for success in an AI-driven world.

Activities:

Build Foundational AI Literacy: Educate on core AI concepts, terminology, and basic functionalities.
Advocate for Ethical AI Use: Champion responsible AI integration within educational environments.
Promote Effective AI Tool Utilization: Encourage the skillful application of AI tools in academic and professional contexts.
Foster AI Innovation: Create opportunities for creative and technical engagement with AI.
Curate and Develop AI Resources: Provide adaptable resources for community colleges to integrate AI at their institutions.

Workgroup Members

Kevin Steeves – Lane (Workgroup Co-Lead)
Sage Freeman – Chemeketa (Workgroup Co-Lead)
Beth Hale – Chemeketa
Cat Schleichert – Mount Hood
DW Wood – Clackamas
Emma Gray – Portland
Erik Schirmer – Southwestern Oregon
Jessica Winans – Linn-Benton
Josiah Hunt – Linn-Benton
Lauren Aspell – Klamath
Megan Baker – Klamath
Mel Stark – Lane
Rory Beck – Lane
Skye Nguyen – Lane
Tom Atchison – Tillamook Bay