Continuing our Lunch Seminar Series for Fall 2025, the Center is hosting Professor Abdussalam Alawini from the Seibel School of Computing and Data Science for a session on Agentic AI for Educators: Practical Teaching Strategies That Support Learning. His session will feature CAII’s Illinois.chat tool.
Video of the session has been uploaded to our YouTube channel:
Abdussalam Alawini is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. His work focuses on database systems and computing education, with an emphasis on AI-powered learning technologies. He leads multiple initiatives exploring generative AI for teaching and assessment, including AI-driven feedback systems for SQL assignments, concept-graph–based personalized learning tools, and analyses of student interactions with course-specific AI assistants.
The session will be held:
- Date: Dec. 16, 2025 12:00PM – Dec. 16, 2025 1:00PM
- Location: NCSA Room 1030
- Attendance: in person or by Zoom
- Zoom Link: https://go.ncsa.illinois.edu/CAIILunchSeminar
More information about the session:
Abstract: Agentic AI for Educators: Practical Teaching Strategies That Support Learning
Generative and agentic AI systems are rapidly reshaping how educators design courses, support students, and manage teaching workflows. This session presents a set of practical, evidence-based use cases demonstrating how instructors can meaningfully incorporate AI into their teaching while maintaining academic rigor and pedagogical intentionality. Drawing on real examples from database systems, engineering, and computing education at Illinois, the talk highlights five high-impact applications: preparing new lectures, designing curriculum for emerging topics, conducting efficient literature reviews, creating simulations and visual aids, and evaluating/strengthening assessment quality. The session focuses on actionable strategies, guardrails for responsible use, and ways AI can enhance, not replace, expert teaching.