Navigating the Future of Education: Generative AI, VR/AR, and Holograms

John Bansavich, Director of Instructional Technology and Training at the University of San Francisco

John Bansavich is a highly accomplished professional with a wealth of expertise in education and technology. He specializes in instructional technology training and development, higher education leadership, technology integration, and program development in the educational space. He is the director of instructional technology and training at the University of San Francisco.

In an exclusive interview with Education Technology Insights, Bansavich shared his invaluable insights on the new technological advancements in the educational space. He also talked about how generative AI is shaping the world of education. 

What are your roles and responsibilities as the director of instructional technology and training at the University of San Francisco?

As the director of instructional technology and training, my primary responsibility is providing extensive assistance to faculty and students in their educational endeavors, assisting them with various online tools like Canvas, Zoom, and Panopto. In addition, my department extends our support to non-teaching staff members who rely on technology to complete their daily tasks efficiently. 

“We are at the dawn of a new era where AI plays a prominent role in our lives. Notably, generative AI, the cutting-edge technological advancement, is intriguing educational institutions with its immense potential.” 

Our department specializes in offering prompt and targeted assistance, as opposed to a conventional help desk. While we do not handle hardware-related or extensive technical issues, we provide training and email support and manage our ticket system to cater to the needs of faculty, staff, and students.

Another crucial aspect of our department’s work involves evaluating new technologies to determine their suitability for adoption at the university. We embark on a comprehensive evaluation, pilot phase, and subsequent technology implementation. We follow a meticulous and rigorous review process to assess these technologies, ensuring the utmost safety, privacy, and accessibility for students and faculty.

What are some trends you are optimistic about in today’s education landscape?

A critical topic of discussion in today’s education space is artificial intelligence (AI). Even though AI is not a new development, it has attained a maturity level, allowing it to be practically used by both students and faculty. We are at the dawn of a new era where AI plays a prominent role in our lives. Notably, generative AI, the cutting-edge technological advancement, is intriguing to educational institutions with immense potential. It helps faculty members plan lessons, generate multiple-choice questions, support research, and facilitate inquiry. 

However, with technologies like generative AI, instructors express concerns about plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity, as they are committed to upholding honor codes. Striking a balance between encouraging authentic student work and guiding them within established guidelines remains a prevalent challenge. The absence of a university-wide policy on this matter adds complexity, leaving instructors searching for guidance. Rather than succumbing to uncertainty, the primary objective is to remain aware, comprehend, educate ourselves and others, and engage in open discussions.

While generative AI constitutes our primary focus in educational technology, we explore virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications. Although these technologies have evolved, their adoption presents greater complexities as it entails steeper learning curves, hardware considerations, and privacy concerns. Furthermore, we are keenly interested in holograms and holographic imagery, which remains more distant but captivating. Our department leader spearheads this exploration, examining how holograms can support student learning and faculty development. Although holograms have not fully matured, we closely monitor advancements and stay attuned to emerging possibilities. 

Within my department, we strive to remain well-informed about these technologies to serve as a resource for faculty, aiming to equip them with the best strategies for leveraging the tools. As part of our efforts, we intend to help them understand its use, address any concerns they have, and demonstrate its practical applications. For the same, we often organize panels and events to facilitate faculty members' exposure to new technological advancements. With this continuous pursuit of innovation, our work remains dynamic as we seek to identify solutions that will benefit faculty and enhance students' learning experience.

Embracing this new era instills us with excitement as we navigate uncharted territory. Collaboration and communication with peer institutions, universities, and colleges in the Bay Area and throughout California are pivotal in our pursuit of solutions. I consider myself fortunate to hold my current position during this pivotal period and to experience the unwavering support of my colleagues at our institution.

What advice would you share with aspiring professionals in the educational space?   

Keeping up with the latest trends, particularly in artificial intelligence, requires engaging in various educational activities such as attending webinars, reading articles, and sharing knowledge with colleagues and peers. Acquiring such opportunities requires self-discipline and a proactive approach. 

My team collectively invests in research, shares our findings, and delivers presentations to the faculty and staff who desire to learn more about AI. We organize classes and workshops to facilitate the same, as abundant emerging information requires continuous monitoring and learning. Additionally, establishing networks with colleagues from other educational institutions provides valuable opportunities for mutual learning and sharing.

Supporting instructors in identifying plagiarized or inauthentic work is also vital. This prompts reevaluating assessment approaches and considering new models and tools. Traditional methods like take-home essays may no longer be as relevant in this changing landscape as this transformative technology brings forth numerous possibilities and new avenues for advancement.

This emerging era, comparable to the transformative impact of the internet three decades ago, extends beyond technological advancements and influences business, communication, and education. As we embark on this new era, embracing it wholeheartedly while simultaneously challenging and questioning its implications is crucial. 

Artificial Intelligence

Educational Technology

Augmented Reality

Virtual Reality

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