On September 13, 2024, the Technology-Enhanced Immersive Learning (TEIL) Seminar Series kicked off with an engaging presentation by Dr. Eric Larson, Associate Professor at the Lyle School of Engineering. Known for exploring the latest in technology and education, the TEIL seminars began the academic year with a focus on the connection between classroom learning and aviation training. This first event of the year brought together educators, technologists, and innovators from the SMU community to discuss the growing role of technology in education.
Setting the Stage for Innovation
TEIL, as introduced by Dr. Stephanie Knight, Dean of the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, is one of SMU’s major research initiatives. It focuses on immersive learning, artificial intelligence, and improvement science. Dean Knight’s remarks underscored the collaborative nature of TEIL, which brings together expertise from various departments including Computer Science, Psychology, and Teaching & Learning to drive innovation in education.
The seminar, “From Classroom to Cockpit: Enhancing Instructor Impact with Automated Techniques in Education and Aviation,” featured Dr. Eric Larson’s groundbreaking work in using automation to streamline assessments in both education and aviation. Attended by faculty, staff and students, the event demonstrated SMU’s commitment to using immersive technologies to improve learning experiences.
Dr. Larson’s Groundbreaking Research
Dr. Larson’s research is at the forefront of applying advanced technology to education. He highlighted how deep neural networks and signal processing can automate labor-intensive assessments, allowing teachers more time to interact with students. His projects range from assessing vocabulary in young learners to analyzing biometric data from pilots.
One of his key projects, MELVA-S: Measuring English Language Vocabulary Acquisition in Science, uses deep learning to automate vocabulary assessments for multilingual students. His team collected over 13,000 recordings from second graders in Austin and Dallas, using language models like BERT to evaluate student responses with the same accuracy as human graders.
Beyond education, Dr. Larson is also applying these technologies to aviation. In collaboration with the Air Force Academy and CAE USA, his work focuses on using biometric data, such as heart rate and gaze patterns, to monitor cognitive load in flight simulators. This research improves pilot training by providing real-time feedback and addressing the growing demand for skilled pilots.
Collaboration and Future Seminars
Dr. Larson’s presentation ended with excitement about future projects. He discussed using machine learning to enhance reading fluency in children and predicting situational awareness in pilots. His work continues to highlight how technology can reshape both education and industry.
This event was a clear example of the innovation happening at SMU. Through the TEIL initiative and the contributions of researchers like Dr. Larson, SMU is advancing new approaches in education and cutting-edge research that will impact how we teach, learn, and perform in critical fields like education and aviation.
If you are interested in collaborating with peers in technology-enhanced learning, immersive learning, and AI/machine learning spaces, join us at the upcoming TEIL seminars. Dr. Lin Lin Lipsmeyer, Professor and Department Chair of Teaching and Learning at SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development will be presenting on October 11. More information on TEIL at SMU is available at smu.edu/teil.