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What Humanizing Means Now

MIchelle Pacansky-Brock�NWACC Instructional Technology Roundtable 2024

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Michelle Pacansky-Brock, CC-BY

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

AI

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How are you feeling about AI?

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leveraging human connection to foster a caring and challenging learning environment – in all modalities.

HUMANIZING IS

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ACADEMY

What would happen if asynchronous online STEM were designed and taught to incorporate cues of social inclusion and foster belonging for diverse students?

Funded by the California Education Learning Lab

Administered by Foothill-De Anza CC District

For more information, go to HumanizeOL.org

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2019-2020 Developed humanizing, a research-based instructional model. Designed and piloted the Humanizing Online STEM Academy
2021-2022 Scaled to California Community Colleges and California State Universities, did research, and shared the Academy/resources
2023-2024 Continued scaling and researching. ��To date: 330 Academy completions across 19 institutions (15 CCCs and 4 CSUs)

For more information, go to HumanizeOL.org

Humanizing Online STEM �Grant Projects

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Significant changes in perceptions, attitudes, and practices:

Recognition for the role that emotions and belonging play in STEM success
Awareness of how the instructional environment shapes students’ emotions and belonging
Belief in students’ capability to succeed
Changes in teaching (more flexible, more audio, video, and more opportunities for student-student interactions)

What did we learn from our research?

Impacts on faculty:

ACADEMY

6-week, asynchronous professional development program

�Psychologically Inclusive Course Design + Warm Demander Pedagogy

For more information, go to HumanizeOL.org

the role of sense of belonging and emotions in STEM success: scores increased from 4.09 pre-Academy to 4.47 post-Academy (1= "strongly disagree" and 5= "strongly agree”).
instructional environment shapes student emotions and sense of belonging: scores increased from 3.90 pre-Academy to 4.28 post-academy (1= "strongly disagree" and 5= "strongly agree”).
instructors’ beliefs about students’ capability to succeed: scores increased from 3.60 pre-Academy to 3.90 post-Academy (1= "strongly disagree" and 5= "strongly agree”).
Changes in teaching:

media use in instruction expanded:

use of audio rising from 1.10 to 2.37 (1=never, 5=very frequently)
use of video increasing from 2.25 to 4.12 (1=never, 5=very frequently

greater opportunities to promote student-student interations:

Academic interactions (such as collaborative group assignments) increased from 2.96 to 3.52 (averaged across multiple items; 1=never and 5=very frequently)
presence of social interactions (such as icebreaker activities) increased from 62% pre-Academy to 96% post-Academy

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ACADEMY

High rates of belonging in humanized online STEM classes, particularly among students from racially minoritized groups
Reduced racial/ethnic equity gaps�(using pre- post-study with a control group)
Increased overall success rates in all course modalities with significant increases seen among women and Latino students �(pre- post-study without a control group)

Impacts on online students:

What did we learn from our research?

ACADEMY

6-week, asynchronous professional development program

�Psychologically Inclusive Course Design + Warm Demander Pedagogy

For more information, go to HumanizeOL.org

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Human Connection

is fuel for more equitable learning

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…”We are designed for sociability, constantly engaged in a ‘neural ballet’ that connects us brain to brain with those around us. Our reactions to others, and theirs to us, have a far-reaching biological impact, sending out cascades of hormones that regulate everything from our hearts to our immune systems, making good relationships act like vitamins – and bad relationships like poisons.”

Daniel Goleman�Author, Social Intelligence

(emphasis added)

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Human connection builds resilience. �We need all need it to thrive, particularly in times of uncertainty.

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Disproportionately impacted groups:

Transgender & gender diverse
Hispanic
Black
Low-income
Young adults, 18-24 (79% compared to 41%. 66 and older)

loneliness

One in two U.S. adults are lonely

Sources:

US General Surgeon. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
Hajek, A., König, H. H., Blessmann, M., & Grupp, K. (2023). Loneliness and Social Isolation among Transgender and Gender Diverse People. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(10), 1517. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101517

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Increases dissatisfaction with work
Decreases productivity at work
Increases the odds of dying early by 45%

The equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day

loneliness

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“Each of us can start now, in our own lives, by strengthening our connections and relationships. Our individual relationships are an untapped resource—a source of healing hiding in plain sight. They can help us live healthier, more productive, and more fulfilled lives. Answer that phone call from a friend. Make time to share a meal. Listen without the distraction of your phone. Perform an act of service. Express yourself authentically. The keys to human connection are simple, but extraordinarily powerful.”�

Human Connection�is an essential antidote.

U.S Surgeon General

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Michelle Pacansky-Brock, CC-BY

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

Emotional AI

uses machines to guess and respond to how humans are feeling based on verbal and/or non-verbal cues

applied in different contexts to create more “personalized” experiences

Emotional AI is an emerging field. Emotional AI uses large sets of data to create algorithms that attempt to decode the feelings behind written words, a voice or a facial expression. The AI then adapts to that data input – a voice bot on a phone may change its script if you sound upset, you may see mental health resources appear if you look distressed, learning materials could also adapt in response to a person’s emotions. Emotional AI is also being used in the workplace to inform managers about the emotional state of employees.

There are several risks:

A person’s emotional expression is not always and indication about how the person feels. People wear “masks” based on their social situation. Like, right now, if my computer screen went black, I’m sure I’d have a feeling of panic inside me, but I’d do my best to maintain a cool outer facade. As a result, the algorithms create emotional stereotypes that are applied to all people.
The darker a person’s skin is, the more likely they are to be identified as displaying negative emotions. This situation actually recently led to Homeland Security removing emotional AI from airports because it resulted in racial profiling.
Culture influences verbal and non-verbal cues. A smile or a pause means something very different in one culture versus another.
People who are neurodivergent experience, process, and express emotions differently from neurotypical individuals.
Machines may start to replace human interactions.

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Michelle Pacansky-Brock, CC-BY

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

Emotional AI

Risks:

Facial recognition software is biased. Shown to be more likely to exclude individuals with black and brown skin.
Prediction of feelings based on external expression results in emotional stereotypes and algorithmic bias. EX: cultural differences, neurodivergence gets left out.
Machines may start to replace human interactions.

Emotional AI is an emerging field. Emotional AI uses large sets of data to create algorithms that attempt to decode the feelings behind written words, a voice or a facial expression. The AI then adapts to that data input – a voice bot on a phone may change its script if you sound upset, you may see mental health resources appear if you look distressed, learning materials could also adapt in response to a person’s emotions. Emotional AI is also being used in the workplace to inform managers about the emotional state of employees.

There are several risks:

A person’s emotional expression is not always and indication about how the person feels. People wear “masks” based on their social situation. Like, right now, if my computer screen went black, I’m sure I’d have a feeling of panic inside me, but I’d do my best to maintain a cool outer facade. As a result, the algorithms create emotional stereotypes that are applied to all people.
The darker a person’s skin is, the more likely they are to be identified as displaying negative emotions. This situation actually recently led to Homeland Security removing emotional AI from airports because it resulted in racial profiling.
Culture influences verbal and non-verbal cues. A smile or a pause means something very different in one culture versus another.
People who are neurodivergent experience, process, and express emotions differently from neurotypical individuals.
Machines may start to replace human interactions.

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Capitalism turns our fears and vulnerabilities into opportunities for new markets. I’m going to play a 1-minute advertisement for an emerging AI “assistant” that leverages emotional AI. The name of the AI Assistant is Friend. Please watch closely and describe what’s happening in the chat. <PLAY>

What is happening here?

That product, again which is called Friend and is now available for pre-order, is intentionally supplanting human connection. But we know when products try to fill a void, that void only gets worse and consumers are inclined to respond by buying more products.

Have you heard of grief tech? It is an emerging industry that is based on “supporting” mourners through the loss of a loved one. It creates a digital chat bot version of a deceased person that their loved ones can interact with.

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Michelle Pacansky-Brock, CC-BY

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

Your emotions are not a commodity.

Emotions are your superpowers �in the AI era.

Image from Adobe Stock

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Feelings are synergistic.

If you watch a video of someone laughing, you’re more likely to laugh.

If you are kind to others, they are more likely to be kind to you.

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Liquid Syllabus�Concise, verbal/non-verbal cues, �hopeful and inclusive language, mobile-friendly �by Monique Kolster, Sierra College

PDF/Word Doc�Long, all text, not mobile-friendly

Log in screen

Humanizing Starts with the Very First Click

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Liquid Syllabus: Building Trust through Authenticity

Benny Ng, Chemistry, CSU Channel Islands and Los Angeles Pierce College

Trishana Norquist, Biology, Southwestern College

Frank Gonzalez, Math, Saddleback College

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Hello Professor,

I just had to reach out and tell you that reading through your syllabus and watching your welcome video literally brought tears to my eyes. I cannot tell you how many times I've attempted to take this course and not completed because I have been too overwhelmed.

I am a mom to two young children and between raising them, working full time, trying to balance my marriage, and chase after my longtime dream of becoming a nurse, college has not been easy journey for me. I have been dreading this semester . . .

You have given me so much hope for this course and for others I am taking and it's been a wonderful reminder to keep my goals and dreams in sight and keep pushing through when you just don't think you can do anymore. Thank you, I really look forward to learning from you this semester!

A student in a humanized asynchronous online course after viewing a liquid syllabus.

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Video Bots Have Landed�

Canva.com

Ethan Mollick in Zoom with a HeyGen avatar.

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What is the intention behind your instructional video?

To build connection?

or

To deliver content?

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CARE + CHALLENGE

through�Human Connection

mental health crisis

inequities in educational outcomes

College can actively contribute to our collective well being.

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Students are Motivated When

They care.

They feel capable.

They matter.

Playfoot, D., Quigley, M., & Thomas, A. G. (2024). Hey ChatGPT, give me a title for a paper about degree apathy and student use of AI for assignment writing. The Internet and Higher Education, 62, 100950.

These are outcomes of human connection.

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Teaching Shifts Accelerated by AI

Product → Process

Gen AI Detection → Gen AI Integration

Policy → Transparent & Contextual Guidance

Relational Authority

Positional Authority

→

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How can we reimagine assignments as connection catalysts?

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How might you use Generative AI to spark ideas for reimagined assessments?

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AI Generated Ideas for Astronomy Activities with Human Connection

“Astronomy in Your Backyard" Blog:

Have students maintain a class blog about observable astronomical events.
Encourage them to post regular updates about what can be seen in the night sky.
Promote the blog in the local community as a resource for amateur stargazers.

Stargazing Nights:

Organize group stargazing events where students bring friends and family.
Provide telescopes and star charts for identifying constellations and planets.
Encourage students to teach their guests about what they've learned in class.
Display entries on a Canvas page or online platform for community voting.

Astrophotography Contest:

Challenge students to take photos of celestial objects using smartphones or cameras.
Create categories like "Best Moon Shot" or "Most Creative Constellation Photo."

"Astronomy in Culture" Presentations:

Assign students to research how different cultures view celestial objects and events.
Have them interview family members or community elders about cultural stories related to the sky.
Present findings in a class or community event.

Local Dark Sky Advocacy:

Teach students about light pollution and its effects on astronomy and ecosystems.
Organize a community light pollution survey, mapping areas of high and low light pollution.
Encourage students to present findings to local government or community groups.

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Brainstorm Activity Ideas with Gen AI

Choose a text generating AI tool (Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, MS Co Pilot)
Enter this prompt (or revise as desired):��Act as a course designer for a community college [enter discipline or course title] course. Brainstorm ideas for learning activities that foster interactions with friends/family and/or gets students outside in their community/nature.
Review the AI’s output and refine the prompt, as needed. For example, you may respond with, “Revise those suggestions to exclude activities with ___________.”

�

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“Take care of yourself and remember that taking care of something else is an important part of taking �care of yourself, because you are interwoven with �the ten trillion things in this single garment of destiny that has been stained and torn, but is still being woven and mended and washed.”

Rebecca Solnit

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Slides: brocansky.com/NWACC

Contact me: brocansky@gmail.com