Simulations, AI Literacy, and Critical Thinking

This episode examines how universities are moving beyond general-purpose AI adoption toward structured, discipline-specific learning environments. We explore an AI-powered simulation center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Texas A&M’s AI-avatar practice environment for business communication. The episode also considers student-designed AI-literacy lessons at the University of Virginia, Purdue’s adaptive inquiry-driven AI-literacy project, and Cornell’s research into AI, reflection, and critical thinking. Together, these developments highlight the importance of scenario design, clear rubrics, faculty coaching, student partnership, and evaluation plans that measure learning—not just efficiency. TOPICS: - AI-powered simulation and experiential learning - AI avatars for professional practice - Discipline-specific AI literacy - Adaptive and inquiry-driven learning - Student reflection and critical thinking - Evaluation of higher-education AI pilots SOURCES: - UA Little Rock Receives Nearly $3 Million Grant to Create AI-Powered Simulation Center — https://ualr.edu/news/2026/09/28/ua-little-rock-receives-nearly-3-million-grant-to-create-ai-powered-simulation-center/ - Scaling Experiential Learning with AI: Texas A&M Collaborates with Dell Technologies | EDUCAUSE Review — https://er.educause.edu/articles/2026/9/scaling-experiential-learning-with-ai-texas-a-m-collaborates-with-dell-technologies - Inside UVA's AI Literacy & Action Lab: A&S Students in Pilot Class Pitch AI Lesson Plans to High School - UVA Research News — https://news.research.virginia.edu/2026/09/15/inside-uvas-ai-literacy-action-lab-as-students-in-pilot-class-pitch-ai-lesson-plans-to-high-school/ - CLA-Led NSF Project Explores the Future of AI Literacy - College of Liberal Arts - Purdue University — https://www.cla.purdue.edu/news/college/2026/cla-led-nsf-project-explores-the-future-of-ai-literacy.html - NSF grant to explore whether AI can support students’ critical thinking | Cornell Chronicle — https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/09/nsf-grant-explore-whether-ai-can-support-students-critical-thinking AUTHOR: Ralph Aldredge, PhD, PE WEBSITE: https://AIHigherEdToday.com YOUTUBE URL: https://youtu.be/WqkqXEIBO0E DISCLOSURE: This episode uses AI-generated narration. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes. Although sources and content are reviewed before publication, information may be incomplete, contain errors, or become outdated as developments evolve. Listeners should consult original sources and exercise independent judgment before relying on the information presented. EPISODE DATE: September 28, 2026 EPISODE TYPE: Full COPYRIGHT: © 2026 Ralph Aldredge. Original script and commentary. All rights reserved.