Strategies for Implementation of AI in Academia

Overcoming Common Barriers Using AI

Dr. Vikas J. Dongre

HOD Electronics & Telecommunication

Government Polytechnic, ARVI (MS)

Email: dongrevj1@gmail.com

M: 9370668979

Today's Journey

1. Understanding the AI Landscape in Polytechnic Education

2. Strategic Implementation Framework (3-Phase Approach)

3. Branch-Specific AI Applications

4. Overcoming 8 Common Barriers

5. Practical Implementation Toolkit

• Be energetic
• Be strong
• Be adventurous
• Be humorous
• Be different
• Be enthusiastic
• Be courageous
• Be dynamic
• Be proud
• Be empathetic

A Teacher has to be a commando in daily life

4th Generation Education

Teachers Skills

• Resource provider
• Digital instructor
• Facilitator (making things easy)
• Technology lover for learning
• Life long digital learner

Digital content creation

The Current Reality

65%

of engineering jobs require AI/data literacy

40%

better placements with AI skills

AI is Present, Not Future

Industries already use AI extensively

Student Readiness Gap

Workplaces expect AI literacy

Maharashtra's Potential

380+ polytechnics can lead AI integration

AI Applications Across Engineering Branches

Mechanical

• CAD optimization
• Predictive maintenance
• Manufacturing process optimization

Civil

• Structural analysis
• BIM with AI
• Smart city planning

Electrical/Electronics

• Circuit simulation
• Power optimization
• IoT programming

Computer/IT

• Code generation
• Cybersecurity
• App development

Chemical

• Process simulation
• Quality control
• Safety prediction

Instrumentation

• Sensor data analysis
• Control optimization
• Signal processing

Where Can AI Be Implemented?

Teaching-Learning Process

• Smart content generation
• Multi-level explanations
• Virtual tutors
• Multilingual support

Assessment & Evaluation

• Auto-generate MCQs
• Question banks
• Rubric-based grading
• Fast feedback

Student Support

• Identify slow learners
• Career guidance
• Performance analysis
• Skill mapping

Faculty Productivity

• Lecture planning
• PPT creation
• Lab manuals
• Documentation (NBA/NAAC)

3 Practical Strategies

for Implementing AI in Your Institute

1

Start Small - Not Complex

No Coding Required Initially!

Begin with simple tasks that save time immediately

Start With:

• Lesson planning & content organization
• Question generation (MCQs, short answers)
• Assignment creation with varying difficulty levels
• Simplifying complex topics for students

EXAMPLE: Generate 10 MCQs from any chapter

2

AI as Teaching Assistant, Not Replacement

AI CAN:

• Prepare lecture notes
• Generate examples & case studies
• Simplify complex explanations
• Create practice materials
• Automate repetitive tasks

TEACHER SKILL:

• Decides syllabus coverage
• Validates AI-generated content
• Adds human judgment
• Teaches values & ethics
• Provides mentorship

The teacher-student relationship remains CENTRAL

​

AI enhances your capability—it doesn't diminish your importance

3

Faculty Skill Development

Minimum Skills Required:

• Prompt Writing - Asking the right questions to AI

(Persona, Task, Context, Format, Tone, restriction, relevant data in available)

• Content Validation - Verifying AI outputs for accuracy
• Ethical Use Awareness - Understanding limitations & responsibilities

Faculty do NOT need to become AI engineers!

Focus on USING AI tools effectively, not building them from scratch

Prompt (21 words minimum)

You are an experienced Engineering Teacher.

Read the attachment.

Create a minimum 100 multiple-choice questions based on various subtopics in the unit. You may generate as many questions as you can if possible. Also include the questions given at the end of the document.

The questions should be topic-wise separated. The questions should have 4 choices. Also, provide the correct answer at the bottom of the questions separately. Number the questions in a sequence.

Questions should be a mixture of recall, understanding, and application levels, as per Bloom's taxonomy.

Consider the examination for students of a diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering aged around 19. The questions should be strictly based on the contents in the attachment.

Think deeply to make error free question bank. Take sufficient time to think.

Ethical Use of AI

AI can be wrong

• Avoid bias

• Cross-check facts

• Promote originality

Academic Integrity Rules

Allowed: ideas, grammar help

Not allowed: exam answers

Clear school policy needed

Ethics and Integrity

3-Phase Strategic Implementation Framework

PHASE 1

Foundation Building

• Faculty orientation workshops
• Identify AI Champions
• Start pilot department
• Create resource

repository

PHASE 2

Department Integration

• Integrate into curriculum
• Administrative AI tools
• Subject-specific use cases
• Student AI clubs

PHASE 3

Institution-Wide Scaling

• AI literacy for all branches
• Establish AI labs
• Industry partnerships
• Real-world projects

Overcoming Common Barriers

8 Critical Challenges & Practical Solutions

BARRIER 1

Limited Infrastructure & Internet Connectivity

PROBLEM

Many polytechnics lack high-speed internet, modern computers, and digital infrastructure

SOLUTIONS:

• Offline AI Tools: Use downloadable models (Ollama, LM Studio)
• Mobile-First Approach: Leverage WhatsApp/ Google Gemini
• Shared Device Model: Computer lab batch scheduling
• Government Schemes: Apply for NEP 2020 & AICTE grants
• Industry Partnerships: Collaborate for sponsored infrastructure
• Progressive Implementation: Start with low-bandwidth text tools

BARRIER 2

Faculty Resistance & Lack of AI Skills

PROBLEM

Teachers feel threatened, lack confidence, or don't understand AI benefits

SOLUTIONS:

• Address Fear Directly: 'AI as Assistant, Not Replacement' sessions
• Hands-On Training: Arrange intensive workshops with certificates
• Peer Learning: Younger faculty train senior colleagues
• Start with Time-Savers: Show administrative burden reduction (Result Analysis, CO PO attainment)
• Success Stories: Share examples from other polytechnics
• Incentivize Learning: Link AI upskilling to career advancement (CR, CAS)
• Support System: Establish helpdesk/ WhatsApp group
• Small Wins First: Begin with lesson planning, Question Banks, quiz generation

BARRIER 3

Curriculum Rigidity & Examination Constraints

PROBLEM

MSBTE prescribed curriculum leaves little room for innovation; fear AI isn't exam-relevant

SOLUTIONS:

• Within Existing Framework: AI as teaching methodology, not new subject
• Alignment with Outcomes: Map AI tools to Course/Program Outcomes
• Practical Integration: Use in labs, projects, industrial training
• Continuous Assessment: AI insights improve regular assessments
• Bridge Courses: Optional AI modules during vacations
• Industry Certificates: Free AI certifications alongside diploma
• MSBTE Advocacy: Submit proposals for syllabus inclusion

BARRIER 4

Student Unpreparedness & Misuse

PROBLEM

Students lack digital literacy, use AI to cheat, or become over-dependent

SOLUTIONS:

• Digital Literacy Foundation: Basic computer & internet skills first (NPTEL, Swayam, YouTube)
• AI Ethics Module: Mandatory orientation on responsible use (Promotion, Restriction of Usage)
• Guided Usage Framework: Clear guidelines on when AI is allowed ( Institute/ MSBTE)
• Verification Mechanisms: Prefer Oral exams, viva voce, demonstrations
• Critical Thinking Focus: Train to question and verify outputs
• Progressive Autonomy: Supervised use → gradual independence
• Showcase Consequences: Real examples of misuse issues
• Positive Reinforcement: Reward creative & ethical AI use

Four More Critical Barriers

5

Language & Regional Challenges

Multilingual AI tools, Marathi support, localized examples

6

Cost & Sustainability Concerns

Free tools, educational discounts, open source solutions

7

Quality & Accuracy Concerns

Critical verification culture, error analysis exercises

8

Assessment & Evaluation Challenges

Redesign assessments, process documentation, oral exams

Essential AI Tools for Polytechnic Teachers

Free or Low-Cost Options

Content Creation

• ChatGPT - Lesson plans
• Google Gemini - Research
• Canva AI - Presentations

Assessment

• Quizizz AI - Auto-quizzes
• Gradescope - Auto-grading
• Turnitin - Plagiarism

Coding/Technical

• GitHub Copilot - Code help
• Replit AI - Online coding
• ChatGPT Code Interpreter

Design & Simulation

• Tinkercad - Circuits
• Fusion 360 - CAD
• MATLAB AI tools

Future-Proofing Polytechnic Education

Emerging Trends to Watch

• Multimodal AI: Understanding images, videos, audio for lab demos
• AI Tutors: Personalized companions for each student
• VR/AR + AI: Immersive learning for expensive/dangerous training
• AI Assessment Tools: Evaluating learning process, not just outcomes

Building Industry-Academia Bridge

• Industry experts sharing AI usage in their domains
• Faculty internships at AI-using companies
• Collaborative projects solving real industry problems
• Guest lectures from Maharashtra's IT hubs (Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur)

Why This Matters Now

For Our Students

Education for AI-integrated workplaces • Democratized quality education access • Multiplied career opportunities

For Our Teachers

Force multiplier—impact more students effectively • Reduced mundane work, more meaningful interaction • Professional growth in exciting field

For Our Institutions

Attract better students & industry partnerships • Enhanced reputation & competitiveness • Fulfill NEP 2020 vision for tech-enabled learning

"The question is not whether AI will be part of education—

it already is.

The question is whether we will lead this transformation

or be passive recipients of it."

As polytechnic educators in Maharashtra, we have the opportunity and

responsibility to ensure our students shape the AI age.

Thank You!

Let's Transform Polytechnic Education Together

Questions? Discussion?

Dr. Vikas J. Dongre

HOD Electronics & Telecommunication

Government Polytechnic, ARVI (MS)

Email: dongrevj1@gmail.com

M: 9370668979