RMIT Vietnam leads AI innovation in higher education

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Tiếng Việt

RMIT Vietnam leads AI innovation in higher education

RMIT Vietnam's inaugural Higher Education Horizons 2024 conference highlighted the transformative impact of AI and innovations on education, showcasing the University's commitment to innovative learning and teaching, as well as excellence in education.

One of the key insights from the event was the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise educational practices. Esteemed speakers, including Professor Le Anh Vinh, Director General of Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences and Dr Sean McMinn, Director of Center for Education Innovation, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, shared compelling stories on the transformative impact of AI and other emerging innovations on learning design and educational practice.

"The future of learning is defined by three key principles: adaptability, inclusivity, and collaboration," Professor Le Anh Vinh emphasised.

Rapidly evolving technologies like AI and virtuality are transforming the educational landscape, necessitating a shift in how we develop content and pedagogical approaches. However, it is crucial to ensure equitable access to education for all students. Importantly, this transformation cannot be achieved in isolation. Collaboration is essential to ensure all stakeholders are aligned and working in concert towards the right goals in the right manner.

Presented with compelling data on the shifting job skills and market demands, Dr Sean McMinn highlighted the critical components of true readiness.

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Dr Sean McMinn, Director of Center for Education Innovation, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, shared emerging innovations on learning design and educational practice.

"True readiness involves more than tool familiarity, it requires ethical understanding, pedagogical innovation, and human-AI collaboration,” Dr McMinn said.

The consensus is clear: educators need to embrace and utilise technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), and AI to create immersive learning environments that prepare students for the future of work.

Balancing innovation with traditional approaches

In his opening remarks, Dr Jung Woo Han, RMIT Interim Deputy Dean of Academic and Quality, noted: “Today, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on how we can integrate advanced technologies, such as AI, into our teaching methodologies while maintaining a balance with traditional pedagogical approaches.”

As institutions navigate the complexities of a tech-driven world, striking the right balance is crucial.

"We are the change agents, and it depends on whether we envision a utopian or dystopian future," Director of Academic Experience and Success at RMIT Vietnam, Mr Glen O'Grady said.

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Director of Academic Experience and Success at RMIT Vietnam, Mr Glen O'Grady (second from the left) emphasised that the key is leveraging AI as a supportive tool rather than allowing it to become a disruptive force.

He added, “The key lies in how we leverage AI to serve as a supportive tool, rather than a disruptive force.

"AI or other technologies are companions, not replacements. Humans cannot be replaced.”

In this technology shift, educators must be open to exploring the power of innovation, while remaining mindful of how new technologies can impact the existing classroom culture. Thoughtful integration of AI tools can foster the development of new, collaborative learning communities and promote cultural exchange among students.

RMIT Vietnam is at the forefront of shaping the future of learning

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of equipping educators and staff with the necessary skills to navigate these changes cannot be overstated. Two workshops in the event focused on practical applications of AI and learning design at RMIT. They not only equipped participants with new skills but also instilled confidence in their ability to implement these technologies in their own classrooms and roles.

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Participants engaged in hands-on learning during the AI in Action workshop.

The AI in Action workshop facilitated by RMIT Learning Futurist Nick McIntosh and Learning Technology Specialist Nguyen Tuan Manh introduced participants to the transformative power of AI in higher education, showcasing the most popular tools. Attendees explored how AI can revolutionise teaching, assessment, and administration, leaving with actionable strategies to implement AI solutions. The workshop also provided hands-on experience with Val 2.0, RMIT’s AI tool co-developed with Microsoft, showcasing a leading example of impactful AI in education.

“Generative AI is fundamentally transforming the way we work in higher education, and the response has been mixed,” Mr McIntosh said.

“We're seeing equal measures of optimism, scepticism, and overwhelm as educators engage with these changes.

“This is a complex journey - while AI offers extraordinary potential, we need to acknowledge these valid concerns and ensure we're supporting our community to navigate these transformations thoughtfully.”

Learning design is gaining significant momentum as a profession, particularly in higher education.

The Learning Design workshop organised by RMIT Learning Design Manager Sasha Stubbs and her team showcased the comprehensive process of designing a blended course at RMIT. This process adheres to RMIT’s blended learning principles and the AAA (Active, Applied, and Authentic) approach of its signature pedagogy. Participants gained lots of insights into the multifaceted role of a learning designer, managing everything from the backend tasks to the final publication. Educators and learning designers collaborate closely to create interactive and inclusive digital learning experiences.

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Educators collaborated on innovative digital experiences during the Learning Design workshop.

Moreover, learning design is evolving alongside with the advances in AI. Rather than being overshadowed, it is harnessing the power of generative AI to develop strategies that create engaging content across diverse learning environments.

“At RMIT, our learning design philosophy is built on rich pedagogical foundations and centres on collaboration,” Ms Stubbs said.

“We partner closely with educators, the true subject matter experts, to craft courses that are both effective and engaging.

“Our process is dynamic, integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance not just the quality of content, but also the interactivity and depth of the learning experience.”

Story: Trang Nguyen - Ha Hoang

Campus and community

28 October 2024

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