In classrooms where generative AI and digital platforms are becoming part of everyday practice, how do educators and students act with intention rather than simply react to new tools? This Viewpoints panel discussion brings together emergent scholars working at the intersection of AI, pedagogy and critical practice, inviting a grounded conversation about what critical and caring use of AI can look like in real educational settings.
Panelists will draw from their research on critical digital literacy practices in AI‑mediated learning, learner agency and assessment in higher education, and the use of AI and digital technologies in secondary humanities classrooms. Through examples from teaching, collaborative inquiry with educators and policy‑oriented research, they will surface tensions and possibilities around generative AI, measurement and classroom practice — asking how we can design learning environments that foreground agency, motivation and justice.
This Viewpoints event is part of Learning Design & Digital Innovation’s 2026 In-Focus: Year of Intention initiative.
Panel
Kyu Yun Lim is a PhD student in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia. She worked as a secondary English teacher and teacher educator for 8 years in South Korea and has facilitated professional development workshops supporting teachers in critically integrating digital technologies through collaborative and reflective inquiry. Her research centers on critical digital literacy practices in generative AI-mediated learning, antiracist pedagogy and teacher collaborative inquiry within K-12 education contexts.
Nesrine is a PhD candidate in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy whose research examines learner agency, assessment, motivation and engagement in post-secondary education. With advanced training in measurement, evaluation and psychometrics, she develops and validates instruments that capture complex constructs such as agency and self-regulation. Her work bridges interdisciplinary perspectives in measurement and pedagogy, translating theory into evidence-informed curriculum and instructional design. Through her teaching and scholarly leadership, she advances pedagogical innovation and is committed to creating inclusive, accessible learning environments that intentionally promote learner agency, sustained motivation and a strong sense of connection and community.
Irina Tursunkulova is a PhD candidate in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at UBC. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of education, having worked in Uzbekistan, Russia, the United States and Canada. At UBC Irina served as a research assistant at the Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre and worked with teacher candidates for four years. Since 2024, she has been teaching research methods to master’s students. Irina is conducting research on digital technology use among secondary humanities teachers at a school in BC. Irina’s research interests include digital technologies, educational policy, and AI in education.
Date & Time
Thursday, March 26 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location
Online (Zoom)
Registration
Registration for this event is now closed.
