We’ve launched a semi-regular feature to keep you informed about how artificial intelligence (AI)—especially generative AI (GenAI)—is shaping teaching and learning at Carleton and beyond.
As we continue to navigate a world where our learners have relatively easy access to GenAI, it’s important to consider our teaching practices.
This spring and summer, we’ll be unpacking four interconnected elements of sustainable teaching practices:
- Relationship-rich environments
- Scaffolded experiences
- Productive failure
- Intrinsic motivation
This month, we begin with relationship-rich environments (check out Agile Ed’s episode, Relationships Come First: The Foundation for Sustainable Teaching Practices).
In a moment where AI can generate explanations, summaries and even entire assignments, it’s worth asking: What remains distinctly human in learning? One answer is relationships.
Relationship-rich environments are not about being endlessly available or overly accommodating. They are about designing conditions where students feel seen, where their thinking is surfaced and where learning is shaped through interaction—not just content delivery. This can look like creating space for student voice, building in moments of dialogue or making thinking visible through low-stakes activities.
And yet, this is not without tension. In large classes, tight timelines and resource constraints, relationships can feel like a luxury. But they are not an add-on—they are the foundation that makes the rest of the learning experience meaningful and sustainable.
As the term comes to a close, consider:
- When did students seem most engaged—not just compliant, but genuinely involved?
- Where did connection (or disconnection) shape the learning experience?
- What might you carry forward into your next course?
If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, join us on April 28 for Carleton’s Teaching Innovation Symposium: InspirED 2026. Spend the day engaging in thought-provoking concurrent sessions that showcase ways to cultivate relationships that enrich our teaching practices. InspirED is an opportunity to connect, collaborate and celebrate the collective efforts of Carleton’s teaching community.
Next month, we’ll turn to scaffolded experiences.
Have something to share or a question about AI in your course? We want to hear from you! Reach out to us with your ideas, challenges or success stories.