Abstract

Title: No student left behind in the age of AI - a humanizing pedagogy approach at the Nelson Mandela University

Authors: Prof Chantelle Clohessy, Dr Hlangothi and Dr Walton

Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) embeds itself into everyday life, Nelson Mandela University strives to maintain a humanizing pedagogy within its learning and teaching spaces. As defined in institutional policy, a humanizing pedagogy rejects the view of students as passive "empty vessels," centering instead on mutual respect, shared power, dignity, and the whole person. This approach is rooted in the philosophy of renowned Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, who argued that education should be a liberating, dialogical practice empowering learners to challenge oppressive structures.

Located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa—one of the country's most economically challenged provinces—Nelson Mandela University caters to a student body with diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. In alignment with the university’s Vision 2030, continuous professional development workshops, presentations, teaching and learning weeks, and expert-led discussions are provided to staff and students to navigate AI implementations responsibly. These initiatives respond to the critical need to foster inclusive, equitable, and culturally relevant learning environments that honour student diversity.

This presentation highlights the strategies adopted by the Faculty of Science to drive a humanizing pedagogical approach across the teaching landscape in the age of AI. Practical implementations and concrete examples from the Department of Statistics and Mathematics are showcased, including how AI is leveraged in the classroom to teach statistical concepts, how AI tools assist educators in undergraduate lecture preparation, and a discussion is provided on how to navigate the challenges inherent in a diverse student population. This presentation reflects collaborative contributions from faculty leadership, including the Deputy Dean, the Head of Learning and Teaching, and the Heads of the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics at Nelson Mandela University.

References
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York, NY: Herder and Herder.
The Humanizing Pedagogy L&T website: https://www.mandela.ac.za/Learning-and-Teaching