\n<\/p>\n
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine how we learn and work, DeVry University will embed AI literacy and skill building into every course by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
The effort expands on the automation and machine-learning curriculum DeVry launched in 2020, adding new AI-focused courses and credentials and embedding AI learning assistants in every class. It\u2019s all part of the institution\u2019s push to give every student the technical proficiency and applied fluency needed to succeed in an AI-augmented workforce.<\/p>\n
Elise Awwad, president and chief executive officer of DeVry University, said AI literacy is an important skill set for students to have across disciplines and industries as the workplace rapidly evolves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve realized from talking to employers and watching workforce trends is AI skills are going to be a baseline and a necessity, and perhaps may even be a basic requirement for job descriptions,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cSo we\u2019ve got to take ownership of that as educators, and we\u2019ve got to get our students prepared for what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
This comes as DeVry\u2019s annual report on upskilling and reskilling, which draws on a survey of more than 1,500 workers and over 500 employers, found that \u201cwhile workers highly value AI skills, they lack clarity on how to use them effectively.\u201d The survey also found that, as AI transforms the workplace, 78\u00a0percent of employers and 63\u00a0percent of workers say durable skills like critical thinking, communication and adaptability are emerging as the true drivers of job security and career advancement.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s using [AI] in some way, shape or form,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cOur goal is to embed that into the curriculum in ways where they\u2019re using it differently in each course so [students] can understand that you have to implement critical thinking as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The strategy:<\/strong> Awwad said DeVry faculty are participating in a proprietary AI training program, \u201ccreated by faculty for faculty,\u201d to ensure they can effectively support students\u2019 development of AI fluency.<\/p>\n \u201cFaculty are very much involved because they\u2019re going to be at the center of teaching,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cIt\u2019s a standard program that we\u2019ve embedded across all faculty\u2014both full-time and part-time\u2014to make sure they\u2019re supporting AI fluency development through coursework, discussions, projects and learning experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n DeVry also plans to expand its applied AI coursework, specializations and certificates in business, and technology programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.<\/p>\n \u201cEmployers want human-centric skills alongside technical skills\u00a0\u2026 AI fluency is all about that,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about how to prompt something, it\u2019s about applying those durable skills as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Awwad noted that AI learning assistants will be embedded in every course, providing real-time conversational support whenever students need it. She added that the assistants currently handle more than 90\u00a0percent of routine student questions\u2014such as how to submit assignments or check grades\u2014reducing friction and allowing faculty to focus on higher-value instruction and mentorship.<\/p>\n In addition, Awwad said the university uses advisers as well as AI tools to support students. Among students who received targeted outreach and tutoring, 80\u00a0percent saw improved assignment grades, and 96\u00a0percent either graduated or persisted in their studies.<\/p>\n \u201cThis commitment for us is about expanding access for every student to develop the technical proficiency and fluency needed in this now AI-augmented workforce,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cI don\u2019t want our learners graduating without this skill set, because they would be at a severe disadvantage.\u201d<\/p>\n The response:<\/strong> Awwad said other institutions shouldn\u2019t shy away from implementing AI across their campuses.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been so much noise out there of folks scared of bringing AI into the classroom, and we certainly don\u2019t want any academic integrity issues, but shying away from it is not realistic,\u201d Awwad said. \u201cLearners are going to use it, so how are they using it? Are they applying critical thinking? Are they applying the creativity needed alongside it?\u201d<\/p>\n She added that responsibly embracing AI now gives educators the opportunity to guide students in developing the skills and judgment they\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take your eye off the ball, because we owe it to society to train [students] on what\u2019s going to be necessary in the future,\u201d Awwad said.<\/p>\n Get more content like this directly to your inbox. <\/em>Subscribe here.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As artificial intelligence continues to redefine how we learn and work, DeVry University will embed AI literacy and skill building into every course by the end of the year. The effort expands on the automation and machine-learning curriculum DeVry launched in 2020, adding new AI-focused courses and credentials and embedding AI learning assistants in every<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43346,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[13086,22681,22682,17288],"class_list":{"0":"post-43345","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education","8":"tag-courses","9":"tag-devry","10":"tag-embeds","11":"tag-literacy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43345"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43345\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}