Dr. Jasmin (Bey) Cowin presented at Sunshine TESOL: “Strengthening communities of practice through community asset mapping in the ChatGPT era.”

Cowin, J. (2023, October 21). Strengthening communities of practice through community asset mapping in the ChatGPT era [Virtual presentation]. Sunshine TESOL, Florida.

It was a pleasure presenting today virtually for Sunshine TESOL.

As education moves into the age of generative Artificial Intelligence, it is important to consider the role of culturally responsive pedagogies and community asset mapping for enhancing student learning and achievement and proof of work. This practice-oriented session will discuss and showcase practical frameworks on ways community asset mapping can be used as an example of culturally responsive pedagogy to leverage community resources and honor student identities and lived experiences. Additionally, we will explore the re-framing and exploration of issues related to the use of generative AI in 21st-century language teaching and the concept of student proof of work.

Author: drcowinj

Dr. Jasmin (Bey) Cowin, Associate Professor at Touro University, Fulbright Scholar, SIT Graduate, past Education Policy Fellow (EPFP™) at Columbia University, Teachers College. At the heart of my professional journey is a commitment to transformative education, grounded in integrating concepts like Lynda Miller's philosophy of abundance, which counters Ruby Payne’s notion of a Culture of Poverty (2005). This philosophy emphasizes viewing experiences as assets filled with positivity and optimism, particularly valuable in an often dystopian-seeming world. My endeavors align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, a goal deeply intertwined with both my personal and organizational objectives. This is evident in my work with initiatives such as Computers for Schools Burundi (CfSB), TESOL “Train the Trainer” programs in Yemen and Morocco, and my scholarly contributions including an article in the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice (JHETP) and various workshops focused on supporting displaced learners. As an educator in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, I recognize our crucial role in preparing the future workforce. To equip students with necessary digital literacy and technological skills, we educators must first master these areas. The technologies defining the 21st-century workforce could lead to new forms of exploitation if access is not globally democratized. By incorporating 4IR innovations in education, we shape students’ worldviews from an early age, preparing them for VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments and ensuring they become a skilled, adaptable workforce. In conclusion, my commitment extends beyond transactional interactions, focusing instead on utilizing my skills and privileges to make a positive, enduring impact on the world.