This presentation outlines the development of Story Centered Curriculum (SCC) and industry-recognized certifications for training Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Engineers in partnership with the workforce center at St Louis University. Given the emerging need for industry-specific trained AI/ML engineers, this presentation will provide a model to develop and implement a short-term online training to address these data science skills utilizing Story centered curriculum, game-based psychology principles, mentoring, and innovative andragogical and project-based methods.
We will outline how to develop a workforce centered training curriculum and partnership utilizing story centered curriculum, skills-based badging, and innovative assessment components to meet industry demand in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This case study is based upon a workforce training partnership between the Workforce Center at St. Louis University and The Intelligence Factory (TIF).
TIF utilizes innovative and practical Artificial Intelligence solutions to assist companies and organizations to better understand the “why” surrounding problems, which is the question most valuable to most organizational issues and often provides the highest return on investment. With this mission in mind, TIF and its consortium of expert Fellows bring together the best and brightest in the areas of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) & Edge Computing and Machine Learning (ML) to jointly solve problems facing organizations. In addition, TIF Fellows Program unites experts in the AI field to ensure industry-relevant training to fill the continuous workforce pipeline.
The workforce center at the St Louis University approached TIF to develop short-term Artificial Intelligence training for their industry partners. In developing this training program for SLU, TIF developed three stackable online certificates that focus on an AI/ML foundational stack, Deep Learning Frameworks and Autonomous Systems. In developing these adaptability and industry focus training certificates, TIF utilized specific instructional methodology components to increase student engagement and retention while ensuring the industry demands were met. TIF also developed an innovative Andragogical approach specifically aimed at multi-modality-based programs (blended, online and in-class) we call the Quartile Delivery Method.
A key component to the curricular development and delivery is centered around Story Centered Curriculum. Story Centered Curriculum consists of creating a real-world scenario or story that students work within while they follow the curriculum. This story replicates the exact job role that students will soon find themselves working in and presents similar challenges and pitfalls one would experience daily in the same role(s). In other words, students went through the program as AI and ML engineers and were engaged in real-world activities, problems and presentations just like they would encounter in such roles. Expert mentors guided weekly virtual sessions using the Socratic Method, so students were not simply given the answers but rather were challenged on their assumptions and learning. Students were assessed by these expert mentors through demonstration of mastery of the skill of each task in the program and were not allowed to progress forward until such mastery had been accomplished. The approach isn’t simply a tool for learning a skill, it is a tool for learning a role and a skill and is created by expert practitioners in the same areas.
To enhance student motivation and recognize leaners ability, skills-based badges were encapsulated within each certificate. These skills-based badges were vetted by our industry experts and recognize specific industry skills standards that are both utilized within the various industries as well as skills that are emerging in the industry. The skills-based badges include the following: Data Engineering Apprentice, Junior Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineering Apprentice, Junior Machine Learning Engineer, and Artificial Intelligence Engineer Apprentice and Junior Artificial Intelligence Engineer.
Finally, each certificate ends with a knowledge-based assessment and project-based activity that assesses both content knowledge and skill mastery. In addressing the knowledge component of each certificate, the learner was engaged in a virtual interview process where they must answer specific content questions, teach a specific content component, and illustrate content mastery through practical application. The project-based assessment consists of an industry-specific case study that solved a real-world problem. In this practice, students are able to build their own portfolio of AI-related projects, which is a key component of acquiring employment.
This case study will outline how you can use Story Centered Curriculum, along with the Quartile Delivery Method, in your training and online settings to improve retention, engagement, and practical application. This educational session is perfect for instructors, administration and curriculum designers in all educational settings and will be presented in part through narrative and ‘Learn-by-Doing’ approach with participants serving in the role of learners, just like we’ve done in our curriculum. This will not be a lecture and PowerPoint will not be used, but rather leaners will fully be immersed in this topic area for the first half of this session and the second half will be informational and inquisitive.
This educational session will cover:
- Developing adaptative and specific workforce training for industry representatives
- Incorporating such game-based psychology as skills badging
- Innovative certification training that assesses content knowledge and application
- Developing a group of industry experts for content development and delivery
- Story Centered Curriculum – Defined and demonstrated
- How to properly mentor (even with inexperienced staff)
- The Socratic Method - Implemented Online
- Successful retention methods for online education
- Problems and solutions for developing workforce training at scale
- Program and course structure
It’s important to note that while this case study specifically is related to workforce training SCC has also been implemented in high school curriculums and in classroom settings. This educational session will also provide examples of each and convey the success of how this method of delivery and implementation of our curriculum continues to drive engagement and increase retention. Many studies have also shown that this ‘Learn-by-Doing’ approach has a great impact on knowledge retention and lifelong learning skills. The overall concept being the best way to learn how to do something - is to do it - not through attending lectures.