Faculty–Student Co-Design of an AI Learning Assistant for Gateway Mathematics

Students need help at 11 p.m., not just between 9 and 5. However, research shows that tutoring use is low, time is a barrier, and online mathematics courses show higher failure and withdrawal rates than face-to-face sections. This hands-on webinar will show how to extend 24/7 support without lowering standards. A faculty and student team co-designed an AI teaching assistant for pre-calculus with three modes that adapt to learner needs: express, standard, and full scaffold. Attendees will see the assistant in action through a live demonstration with quick polls, then try it with real mathematics problems on their own device. Using a one-page rubric, they will rate accuracy, scaffolding quality, and student-affirming language. This webinar also covers academic integrity guardrails, clear syllabus language for appropriate use, and a simple, privacy-aware intake process for typed or photo problems. Participants leave with ready-to-use templates they can apply immediately in one unit of a gateway mathematics course. This presentation is based on my personal philosophy: start small, measure what matters, improve, and use existing platforms to pilot responsibly and gather evidence. The webinar is ideal for faculty ready to pilot with care, document results, and make data-informed decisions about scaling.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate AI tutor responses using a three-criterion rubric for mathematical accuracy, scaffolding discipline, and tone.
• Adapt a skeleton prompt framework to enable express, standard, and full scaffold support modes for one gateway mathematics unit, including the goal-check and first-step protocols.
• Specify course-aligned guardrails for academic integrity and student privacy, and insert approved language into a syllabus or LMS module.

Note: Webinars are only available to individuals at NISOD member colleges.

Learners will have the option to earn a certificate of attendance or a certificate with Continuing Education Units (CEU) upon completion of the webinar. To earn a certificate with CEUs, the learner must successfully pass the learning assessment with a score of 80% or higher. All learners must complete the post-event evaluation to earn credentials. 

The duration of this webinar is one hour, which is equal to 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).