Imagine a world where technology not only enhances how students learn but also transforms the very way research is conducted in educational settings, and North Carolina State University (NC State), through its College of Education, is turning this vision into reality with pioneering projects. Launched in 2024 as part of a strategic plan extending to 2030, the Innovation Fellows Program funds bold, transformative ideas that reshape educational experiences and methodologies. Two standout projects focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) are leading the charge, demonstrating how cutting-edge tools can address real-world challenges in education. By integrating these technologies, NC State is setting a new standard for innovation, ensuring that both students and researchers are equipped with skills for the future. This exploration delves into the specifics of these initiatives, revealing how they blend creativity, collaboration, and ethical practices to create a lasting impact on learning and discovery.
Pioneering AI for Educational Research
At the heart of one transformative project is the use of AI to revolutionize qualitative research within the College of Education. Titled “AI-Augmented Qualitative Analysis: Leveraging Large-Language Models,” this initiative is spearheaded by Assistant Professor Ela Castellanos-Reyes, Professor Florence Martin, and Research Scholar Rebekah Davis. The focus is on training graduate students and faculty to harness large language models (LLMs) for analyzing qualitative data, a process often time-intensive and complex. Scheduled workshops in spring 2026 will introduce participants to creating AI-adapted codebooks and utilizing tools like OpenAI for text analysis. This approach not only aims to streamline research processes but also prioritizes maintaining methodological rigor and ethical standards, ensuring that technology serves as a reliable aid rather than a shortcut. The project’s ambition is to develop a reusable training framework that can be scaled across various educational contexts, making AI tools more accessible to researchers.
Beyond the technical training, this AI-focused project emphasizes sustainability and inclusivity in educational research. A significant component involves creating an openly accessible repository of instructional materials and templates, designed to lower barriers to entry for those unfamiliar with AI tools. This repository will allow researchers to adopt these methods without incurring high costs, democratizing access to advanced technology. Additionally, consultation sessions will be offered to provide ongoing support, ensuring that participants can apply their learning to real projects with confidence. The balance between technological innovation and the preservation of research validity is a core principle, as highlighted by the project leaders. By embedding ethical considerations into the training, the initiative ensures that AI augments human insight rather than replacing it, fostering a responsible integration of technology that could set a precedent for future educational studies.
Immersive Learning through Extended Reality
Another groundbreaking effort at NC State is centered on XR, a technology that merges virtual and augmented reality to create deeply engaging educational experiences. Known as “MuseXR: Designing Shared Learning Experiences through Extended Reality,” this project is led by Assistant Professors Joey Huang from the College of Education and Qiao Jin from the College of Engineering. It targets undergraduate students in programs like Applied Education Studies and Computer Science, offering them the chance to design XR-based learning activities inspired by collections at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Through a specialized course module, students collaborate to build interactive museum experiences, incorporating elements like guided paths and discussion prompts. This initiative reimagines students as creators rather than mere consumers of content, highlighting XR’s potential to transform traditional learning environments into dynamic, interactive spaces.
The MuseXR project goes further by integrating real-world applications into the learning process, fostering creativity and critical thinking among participants. Interdisciplinary student teams work with actual gallery data to craft their XR projects, which are later showcased at a class event on campus, complete with feedback from the museum’s Director of Education. This direct connection to a cultural institution underscores the project’s commitment to bridging academic learning with tangible societal contributions. Moreover, engineering students analyze design implications and develop new XR components tailored for educational purposes, pushing the boundaries of how immersive technology can be applied. The emphasis on human-centered design ensures that these experiences encourage dialogue and reflection, making learning a shared, meaningful journey. Such an approach positions XR as a powerful tool for sparking curiosity and innovation across diverse academic fields.
Bridging Theory with Practical Application
A defining feature of both NC State projects is their dedication to translating theoretical concepts into practical, hands-on skills. In the AI initiative, the structured workshops and follow-up consultations ensure that participants can directly apply LLM tools to their ongoing research, addressing real challenges in qualitative analysis. The open repository of resources further supports this practical focus by providing templates and guides that researchers can adapt to their needs, ensuring long-term usability. This hands-on approach not only builds technical proficiency but also instills confidence in using advanced tools ethically and effectively. The tangible outcomes of this training are expected to influence how educational research is conducted, offering a model that balances innovation with academic integrity across various disciplines.
Similarly, the XR project prioritizes experiential learning by placing students at the forefront of designing immersive educational tools. Through the MuseXR module, participants gain practical experience in creating interactive experiences, from conceptualization to execution, while receiving expert feedback to refine their work. This process transforms abstract ideas about technology and education into concrete projects with real-world relevance, particularly through partnerships with cultural institutions. The showcase event serves as a platform for students to demonstrate their innovations, reinforcing the value of applied learning. By embedding practical application into the curriculum, both initiatives ensure that participants emerge with skills that are immediately relevant, preparing them to tackle modern challenges in education with innovative solutions rooted in real experience.
Collaboration as a Driver of Innovation
Interdisciplinary collaboration stands as a cornerstone of these NC State initiatives, amplifying their impact through diverse perspectives. The AI project fosters a community of learning by bringing together faculty and students from various research courses within the College of Education. This collaborative environment encourages the exchange of ideas and approaches, enriching the training process and ensuring that the resulting frameworks are versatile enough to suit different research needs. By involving a wide range of participants, the project builds a collective understanding of how AI can enhance educational studies, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond individual research efforts to influence broader academic practices.
In parallel, the MuseXR project exemplifies collaboration by uniting students and faculty from education and engineering, blending pedagogical insights with technical expertise. This cross-disciplinary teamwork allows for the creation of XR experiences that are both technologically sophisticated and educationally sound, addressing the needs of diverse learners. The partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Art further enriches this collaboration, providing a real-world context that grounds student projects in cultural significance. Such alliances highlight how interdisciplinary efforts can drive innovation, breaking down silos to create solutions that are more comprehensive and impactful. Together, these projects demonstrate that collaboration across fields is not just beneficial but essential for pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve in education.
Shaping the Future of Educational Technology
Reflecting on the strides made through the Innovation Fellows Program, it’s clear that NC State’s College of Education has taken significant steps to redefine learning and research through technology. The AI project laid a foundation for ethical and accessible use of large language models in qualitative analysis, equipping researchers with tools to enhance their work while upholding rigorous standards. Meanwhile, MuseXR opened new pathways for student engagement, turning classrooms into creative hubs where XR fostered collaboration and imagination. Both efforts prioritized practical skills and interdisciplinary teamwork, setting a benchmark for responsible innovation. Looking ahead, the focus should be on scaling these models to reach wider audiences, ensuring that resources and training remain accessible. Exploring partnerships with other institutions and industries could further amplify impact, while continuous evaluation of ethical implications will safeguard integrity. These initiatives mark just the beginning of a broader movement to integrate technology thoughtfully into education.
