Virtual Student Assistant

Phase One: Research and Develop a Technology Framework

A Collaborative Innovation Project in Campus Intelligent Automation for Teaching and Learning of Technology Services and Academic Affairs

By Max Tsai and Dr. Alex Shih-Hsi Liu

Sponsors:
Orlando Leon, CIO
Dr. Dennis Nef, Associate Provost / SATO

DRAFT: December 2017

Abstract

As technological advancements in education have emerged quickly and diversely over the last decade, traditional teacher-learner classroom settings may be no longer best suitable pedagogy to younger generation, who are often categorized as quick learners and heavy users of modern technology but may suffer from course information overload. A user friendly and intelligent learning environment that channels students to suitable personalized learning experience efficiently and adaptively in real-time may be a silver bullet to ease learning nightmare. A Virtual Learning Assistant (VLA) serves one of fittest candidates to the problem. Teachers and learners may earn bidirectional benefits from VLA.

Objectives

This project is proposed in two phases. Phase one of this project will emphasize on technology research and development of the Virtual Learning Assistant  (VLA) in the areas of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Conversational Chatbot (User Experience), Pedagogical applications, and the integration with Learning Management System. A Technology Framework will be implemented with selected courses integrated with LMS by Summer 2018 for Pilots in Fall 2018.

With the success of Phase one, this project will continue in Phase two through Academic Affairs to involve more faculty on course content development and improve outcome assessments and analytics.

Project Intents (Phase #1)

– Language Learning Module
– Adaptive Learning

 

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