The Drake Institute invites Ohio State educators to critically engage with the evolving landscape of AI in higher education by joining our Spring 2026 Book Club discussions.
Generative AI in Higher Education: The ChatGPT Effect, published in 2024, is one of the first books to take a comprehensive look at the use and impact of generative AI (GenAI) in higher ed. Authors Cecilia Ka Yuk Chan and Tom Colloton explore the opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations of integrating GenAI into academic settings. They provide practical insights, frameworks and case studies to help educators navigate this new era of AI-augmented teaching and learning.
Generative AI in Higher Education: The ChatGPT Effect is open access and may be downloaded for free through University Libraries.
Download the book
What to Expect
All book club sessions will be led by Allison Schultz, Senior Instructional Designer with the Drake Institute. Each session will include a set of guiding questions to spark discussion, but participants will be encouraged to explore the topics and themes that most interest them. Participation is always welcome, regardless of preparation—detailed chapter summaries will be available for those who may not have had time to read.
Allison aims to foster engaging, lively discussions.
“My goal for this book club is to create a space for open, energizing dialogue. Somewhere participants can bring their ideas, questions, concerns, excitement, and everything in between. This isn’t designed to be a workshop; instead, participants will steer the conversation so it reflects their interests and needs.”
Session Schedule
Each book club meeting will focus on a different topic. You are welcome to register for every session or choose the ones most relevant to your interests, instructional role or teaching goals.
All sessions will be held virtually from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. on the dates below.
February 13: Foundational Concepts and AI Fluency
Chapters 1-2: "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education," "AI Literacy"
Session 1 will provide a shared foundation in generative AI and connect core themes of AI learning and literacy to Ohio State’s AI Fluency initiative. Discussion will center on how these concepts surface in day‑to‑day academic and professional work.
February 27: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Chapters 3-4: "Strengths and Weaknesses in Embracing ChatGPT in Curriculum Design," "Redesigning Assessment in the AI Era"
Session 2 is geared toward instructional practice, highlighting how generative AI intersects with curriculum and pedagogy. This includes both using AI to support course design and exploring meaningful ways for students to engage with AI in their learning.
March 13: Policy Principals and Frameworks
Chapter 5: "Developing an AI in Education Policy"
Session 3 will address academic policies and best practices. The conversation will focus on determining approaches that align with instructors’ teaching contexts, supporting transparent communication with students, and upholding academic integrity while navigating new AI-related challenges.
March 27: The Technology Landscape
Chapter 6: "Technology Behind AI"
Session 4 examines the technology behind AI. This will be a practical, accessible discussion featuring OTDI’s Dave Renner. The conversation will center on the tools available at Ohio State and considerations for using them effectively across different purposes.
April 10: Future Vision and Research
Chapter 7: "The Future of AI in Education"
Session 5 looks ahead to the future of AI. Discussion will explore emerging developments and the potential impact of AI across higher education and the broader landscape.
Interested in earning a teaching endorsement? Participation in all five Spring 2026 Book Club sessions fulfills the elective requirement for the Teaching and Learning to Build AI Fluency endorsement.
Register for book club sessions
Explore additional learning opportunities and resources on AI fluency.