TEACHx 2026

As generative AI becomes embedded in students' creative and analytical workflows, traditional assessment models must evolve. This lightning talk showcases how StratCom 310 was redesigned into an “AI‑first” learning environment that embraces student use of AI while safeguarding authenticity and deep learning. Working from a real client brief for YSL’s Le Vestiaire des Parfums, students used AI transparently to brainstorm, critique, and prototype campaign concepts. Assessment shifted from polished outputs to reasoning, transfer, and evidence‑based decision‑making. The session illustrates how AI‑supported processes can strengthen digital literacy, algorithmic transparency, and critical engagement across creative and marketing courses.

A growing movement has challenged the accuracy and equity of commonly-used grading systems, leading to  practices like standards-based grading, specifications grading, and ungrading as possible alternatives. While promising pedagogically, these practices are often difficult to sustain in reality.  This talk will focus on the role of gradebooks and the way they may nudge us either to continue old practices and discourage adoption of new practices or to lean into more promising practices. The talk will follow the author’s personal experience with alternative grading systems and with a beta-version of a gradebook designed to support alternative grading rather than traditional grading.