University of Regina educators put generative AI to work in the classroom
REGINA - The question for educators isn't whether AI belongs in class, but how we use it to build critical thinkers and future-ready graduates. This year, six University of Regina faculty members were named President's Teaching and Learning Scholars for advancing practical, ethical, and effective uses of generative AI in teaching.
Led by the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the program recognizes faculty who push teaching forward with measurable impact. The 2025 Scholars were celebrated at the President's Celebration of Teaching, Research, and Service Achievement Awards at Darke Hall on November 19, 2025.
Building AI and research literacy in Nursing
Dr. Jaime Mantesso and Dr. Shauna Davies (Faculty of Nursing) are co-leading TEAiL Explore, a project that brings generative AI into nursing education. Their focus: teach students how to use AI responsibly in research-heavy clinical contexts where accuracy, safety, and ethics matter.
They are adapting a second-year research assignment to include GenAI tools such as Copilot. "Shauna and I believe that incorporating generative AI into the research course will capture their attention and promote their future nursing success. This is a hands-on, reflexive assignment that provides practical skills like prompt building but also really ensures students understand the pitfalls and ethical concerns associated with AI use, especially in health care," says Mantesso.
Davies adds: "Perhaps the most meaningful impact will be a health care system employed with nurses who are able to understand the benefits, limitations, and ethical responsibilities of gen AI for delivering safe, competent patient care."
More responsive, inclusive learning in K-12
Dr. Scott A. Thompson (Faculty of Education) is exploring how AI can help teachers personalize instruction while keeping equity at the center. He's testing tools that adapt reading and math materials to student needs, plus virtual math manipulatives and AI-generated songs or chants to reinforce key concepts.
His goal: turn proven strategies into everyday practice while sharpening students' critical thinking and digital literacy. "As an educator, I am committed to fostering a dynamic, student-centered environment where every learner has the opportunity to thrive. I believe that when used thoughtfully, AI can empower students, enhance engagement, and individualize the learning experience in ways previously unimaginable-all of which has implication for inclusive education," says Thompson.
AI-driven roleplay in Forensic Psychology
Dr. Susan Yamamoto (Campion College) and Dr. Kaila Bruer (Luther College) are reimagining forensic psychology through interactive AI simulations. Students engage with AI agents as suspects and witnesses, practicing investigative and profiling skills in scenarios that shift based on their choices.
This approach scales active learning and supports varied class formats while giving students more ownership over how they learn. "Generative AI doesn't take away from what great teaching can do; it can help energize innovation. Our approach is to integrate this technology to empower students, giving them greater independence and autonomy over their learning," says Yamamoto.
Rethinking briefing note instruction in Public Policy
Dr. Justin Longo (Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy) is testing AI's role in teaching briefing note writing-an essential skill in government. With tools like ChatGPT now able to summarize and structure information, the core question is whether AI helps students grow as independent writers or just boosts short-term output.
"Rather than resisting the integration of AI tools, I am working to ensure they enhance rather than replace student learning," Longo says. His aim: prepare students for the work they'll actually do, with clarity on when and how AI adds value.
Practical takeaways for educators
- Pair AI literacy with research literacy. Teach source evaluation, citation, and verification alongside prompt writing.
- Make ethics explicit. Address bias, patient/client safety, confidentiality, academic integrity, and model disclosure of AI use.
- Start with one assignment. Pilot AI in a single course component (e.g., research synthesis, formative feedback, or scenario practice) and measure outcomes.
- Keep pedagogy first. Use AI to extend strategies you already trust-scaffolds, manipulatives, retrieval practice, and roleplay.
- Assess the process, not just the product. Ask for prompt logs, rationale, and reflections to gauge independent thinking.
- Design for inclusion. Offer multiple modalities (text, audio, visual) and adaptive supports that meet diverse learner needs.
- Set data and privacy guardrails. Use institution-approved tools and teach students what not to share.
- Build student agency. Encourage critique of AI outputs and require human judgment on final decisions.
For broader policy and classroom guidance, see the U.S. Department of Education's overview on AI in teaching and learning here, and UNESCO's guidance for generative AI in education here.
If you're mapping skills and tools by role, explore curated AI course paths by job here.
Additional awards
- Creative Initiative Awards: Angela Leader; Emily McNair
- Safety Leadership Award (Non-Academic): Eric Exner
- Team Innovation Award: Health & Safety Team (Kristin Agopsowicz, Jae Bean, Shaun Dovell, Arden Geiger, Ryan King, Emily Pilon, Curtis Senger, Sarah Wilke)
- University Spirit Award: David Boys
- Service Excellence Awards: Anne Lauf; Cheryl Risling
- President's Award for Teaching Excellence: Brent Ghiglione
- Provost's Award for Innovation in Teaching: Gale Russell
- New Faculty Teaching Awards of Recognition: Lexie Heit; Sarah Ilori
- Award of Excellence in Experiential Learning: Emily McNair
- Awards of Excellence in Public Education and Outreach: Samantha Lawler; Vanessa Mathews
- President's Teaching and Learning Scholars: Justin Longo; Jaime Mantesso; Shauna Davies; Scott A. Thompson; Susan Yamamoto; Kaila Bruer
- Award for Outstanding Graduate Supervision: Kelvin Ng
- Graduate Teaching Assistant Award: Taneicha S. Littlejohn Robinson
- Graduate Student Excellence Award (Innovation and Research): Sharmin Jahan Mim
- Graduate Student Community Engagement Award: Whitney Blaisdell
- 3M Teaching Fellowship: Taiwo Afolabi
- 3M Student Fellowship: Mohammad Akib Hossain
- Royal Society of Canada Fellowship: Nick Carleton
- Royal Society of Canada Fellowship: Thomas Hadjistavropoulos
The throughline across every project is simple: keep learning human-centered, use AI with intention, and measure what matters-student thinking, skill growth, and ethical practice.
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