AlmaLearning.AI coaches faculty members at SFBU

In an experiment at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), Chief Learning Officer Anzar Khaliq took an AI teaching assistant and gave it an unexpected promotion to faculty trainer. Using AlmaLearning.AI, SFBU isn't just teaching students; they're revolutionizing how professors learn to teach. And the results? Let's just say even the skeptics are raising their eyebrows.

Real Results from Real Professors

While other universities debate about AI in student learning, SFBU flipped the script entirely. Their radical idea? Use AI to make professors better teachers before they even step into the classroom. It's like sending chefs to culinary school before letting them run a restaurant – sounds obvious now, doesn't it?

The Secret Recipe (Now Not So Secret)

Here's what happened when Anzar unleashed AlmaLearning.AI on SFBU's faculty:

First, he starts with what we call Course Design Conversations. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution, our AI engages professors in thoughtful dialogue about their teaching goals. We ask questions like, "What do you want your students to achieve?" and "How will you know they've learned?" It's amazing how these simple questions often lead to profound realizations.

Then, we guide faculty through content curation – and this is where it gets interesting! Instead of defaulting to traditional textbooks, we encourage professors to consider multiple formats: podcasts, videos, interactive materials, even well-crafted memes. The key is matching the medium to the message.

One of our favorite features is the Assignment Architect. You know how easy it is to fall into the trap of using the same old assessment methods? Our AI challenges this by asking provocative questions: "Are you using these assignments because they're effective, or because they're familiar?" We've seen professors have real "aha!" moments during these conversations.

Teaching Will Never Be the Same

Through implementing AlmaLearning.AI, SFBU has found a practical way to improve teaching effectiveness, showing how artificial intelligence can support faculty in developing stronger pedagogical skills.

A particularly effective feature has been our feedback analysis tool. Instead of professors having to spot patterns across dozens of assignments manually, our AI can identify trends and suggest areas where students might need additional support. It's like having a teaching assistant with perfect memory and pattern recognition skills.

What makes this approach unique is its adaptability. For instance, when Anzar used our system, he discovered he could use it to create interdisciplinary connections that wouldn't have been obvious otherwise - like linking physics concepts to music theory. That's the kind of creative thinking we love to see!

Looking ahead, we're working on making our AI even more intuitive and comprehensive. We're developing self-guided modules that will allow faculty to design courses at their own pace, with AI support available 24/7. Think of it as having a professional development consultant always at your fingertips.

The most rewarding part? The tool has proven valuable in supporting faculty expertise, offering insights and suggestions that help professors enhance their natural teaching abilities while building confidence in their instructional methods.

The Numbers That Made SFBU's Administration Dance

• Several days workshops producing fully designed courses
• 100% faculty engagement (even from the "I don't need this" crowd)
• Zero professors leaving sessions early (a historical first?)

Tech That Actually Makes Sense

• Remembers conversations even after crashes (unlike some human colleagues)
• Adapts to each professor's teaching style
• Speaks academic but translates to human

🚀 SFBU's Next Steps

• Rolling out AI memberships to all faculty
• Creating self-paced course design modules
• Developing AI-guided workshops that run themselves

Why This Changes Everything

Working with professors individually, SFBU shows that AI functions beyond a simple learning tool, becoming a true catalyst for enhanced teaching methods. Traditional wisdom said online learning couldn't match classroom quality. Now, our case shows us something remarkable: AI enhances teaching talent, turning great educators into exceptional ones.

Want to learn more?

SFBU's experiment with AlmaLearning.AI isn't just a success story. The university has established a practical framework for enhancing faculty development through AI. Because in a world where everything is getting smarter, shouldn't teaching do the same?

Watch our interview with Anzar on YouTube. In this candid conversation, he shares detailed insights about transforming faculty development at SFBU through AI, discusses specific success cases, and reveals how even initially skeptical professors became enthusiastic adopters.

"It's like having a teaching mentor who never sleeps, never judges, and actually remembers everything you say. When was the last time you had that in professional development?" 📚✨