Our Open Educational Resource (OER) was developed as part of a Virginia cross-institutional Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project on AI in teaching and learning. The design and development processes were based on an extensive needs assessment, which provided critical insights into higher education educators’ preferences, existing knowledge, and needs in the field. The findings shaped every aspect of our resource, from its structure and content to its delivery format.

Needs Assessment Results

To make our design process transparent and emphasize the collaborative nature of this project, we embedded a needs assessment poster we presented at the Teaching and Learning with AI 2024 conference, which summarized the needs assessment results and our research, design, and development process.

To interact with this graphic, click on the interactive elements noted in yellow.  

Design Decisions

Below, we will summarize how faculty feedback influenced our key decisions and led to meaningful improvement. For instance, we shifted from general introductory content to focus on intermediate-level resources, reflecting the feedback that many participants already possessed basic AI knowledge.

Enhanced Interactivity and Structure of Content

One of the main takeaways from the needs assessment survey was the demand for engaging, structured, and interactive learning experiences. In response, we designed easy-to-follow chapter structures and developed H5P interactive modules with multimedia learning resources.

Focus on AI Literacy, Pedagogy and Ethics

The needs assessment survey revealed that AI literacy was the most critical area for educators, followed closely by pedagogy and ethics. To address this, we adapted a robust AI literacy framework as the foundation of our OER. The framework guides the progression from basic to advanced AI knowledge and skills while embedding ethical considerations at every level. This ensures that educators not only understand AI tools but also have the skills to teach students how to use them responsibly in diverse classroom environments.

In addition, we included an Educator’s Kit: Apply and Reflect section in every chapter featuring practical teaching strategies and reflection questions for educators. We also included chapters on classroom application, which incorporate practical, specific examples—another key need identified—to help bridge the gap between theory and classroom implementation. These examples include real-world case studies and best practices. The section named “Course Adaptation in Action” provides a step-by-step guide for integrating AI into lesson plans and fostering AI literacy among students.

Building a Collaborative Community

Given the strong interest in community features expressed during the needs assessment survey, we added spaces for collaboration and interaction. These include discussion forums, shared resource libraries, and opportunities for submitting educators’ own classroom examples. These features are integral to fostering a network of educators committed to learning, sharing, and innovating together.

Adaptability as a Core Principle

Recognizing the importance of adaptability, the OER was designed to allow customization at multiple levels. Educators can reuse and embed the H5P interactive modules into their existing courses and adapt resources to suit various teaching environments. This flexibility ensures that the resource remains relevant and effective across a wide range of educational contexts.

By combining these elements—practical content, a focus on AI literacy, pedagogy and ethics, interactive modules, and community engagement—we created an OER that is not only grounded in educators’ current needs but also serves as a dynamic tool for advancing teaching with AI in higher education.