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Technology, Inclusion, and Pedagogy (TIP) Conference

TIP conference 2024 keynote Q&A

TIP 2026: Learning, Creating, and Ethically Engaging with Artificial Intelligence

Friday, May 8, 2026 | In-Person at California State University, Fresno
Register for TIP 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and classrooms alike. The Central Valley’s educators and researchers are uniquely positioned to guide this transformation toward equity, creativity, and community impact.

The TIP Conference brings educators together to explore the role of AI literacy in teaching, learning, and innovation. Aligned with Bloom’s taxonomy, it emphasizes moving from understanding AI to applying and creating with it. Through inclusive, scaffolded learning, participants learn to transform students from passive users into ethical innovators, shaping an AI-ready, equitable future through collaboration and shared educational insight. 

Drawing on the framework developed by Ng et al. (2021), TIP 2026 highlights four key dimensions of AI literacy:

Know & Understand AI – Building foundational knowledge of AI systems and concepts across grade levels and disciplines.
Use & Apply AI – Incorporating AI tools, reasoning, and data-driven approaches into teaching and learning
Evaluate & Create AI – Fostering higher-order thinking to analyze, design, and innovate with AI
AI Ethics – Embedding human-centered values (e.g., fairness, accountability, transparency, and inclusivity) into AI education and practice.


Conference Keynote

Headshot of Zach Justus in his office

Dr. Zach Justus, California State University, Chico

Zach Justus, Ph.D, is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences at California State University, Chico. His work can be found in Argumentation and Advocacy, Communication Teacher and other outlets. Zach was fascinated by the intersection of teaching/learning and Generative Artificial Intelligence right away. He has collaborated to produce Inside Higher Ed articles, several webinars, an ongoing blog series, a podcast, and a series of conference and keynote presentations. 

Follow Dr. Justus on Linkedin


Conference Schedule (subject to revision)

Participants begin the day with an opportunity to meet colleagues participating in the conference.

Welcome: Dr. Xuanning Fu, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Zach Justus, Chico State

AI is Not the Author: When-and When Not-to Use AI in Writing (45min)
Ernesto Reyes, Fresno City College

Panel: Evaluating AI Output & Bias 

From AI Consumption to Critical Evaluation (20m)
Anahit Hovhannisyan, Fresno State

AI-Generated Gender Disparity Data Study (20m)
Ulrike Müller, Fresno State

The Personal Essay, AI, and Risks to Individual Identity (45min)
Jesse Scaccia, Fresno State

Student Development of a Class AI Policy (45min)
Kristi Closser, Fresno State

Optional Round Table Discussions moderated by Dr. Zach Justus

AI as a "Practice Dummy": Ethical Simulation (45m)
Jason Crow, Fresno State

Panel: Structured Ethical Integration

Field-tested Approaches to Prepare Students for the Ethical Use of AI (20m)
Joe Ross, Fresno State

From Hand-Drawn Curves to AI-Generated Graphs: Ethical AI Integration in Healthcare Economics (20m)
Tanisha Garcia, Fresno State

Panel: Scaffolded Classroom Integration Models

Workbooks That Work (20m)
John McMillen, Fresno State

Structured AI in Construction Management (20m)
Vivien Luo, Fresno State

Panel: AI and Instructor Application

Polishing Your Pages: Canvas Formatting with HTML and AI (20m)
Amanda Taintor, Reedley College

Learn to Cheat with AI (20m)
Christian Wandeler, Fresno State

Panel: Literacy and AI

Back to Blue Books? Survival, Surveillance, and Sacrifice in the AI Classroom (20m)
Nkenna Onwuzuruoha, Fresno State

Active Learning AI Literacy Activities for Any Course (20m)
Sarah McDaniel, Fresno State

Panel: From AI Student Users to Ethical AI Creators

From AI Users to Ethical AI Creators: Teaching Students to Design, Deploy, and Reflect on Real-World AI Systems (20m)
Hovannes Kulhandjian, Fresno State

From AI Awareness to AI Action: Designing Ethical and Inclusive Learning Experiences (20m)
Kimberly Coy, Fresno State

Closing remarks and AL$ showcase presentations

Beverages and light appetizers will be provided