USF Collaborators Lead AI-Powered National Educational Platform for Learners with Disabilities – University of South Florida
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USF Information Technology is proud to be a key contributor to a groundbreaking project that will enhance learning experiences for youth and adults with disabilities through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The project, Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE-VRT), incorporates virtual reality and AI technologies into USF’s current employment and transition programs (learn more about LAUNCH at USF). The project is possible through a $9.9 million, five-year grant from the Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration, and was one of only a handful of projects in the nation to receive funding from the Department’s Disability Innovation Fund.
USF’s Department of Child and Family Studies researchers Tammy Jorgensen Smith, PhD, CRC, and Christine Hugh, MS, will pioneer the project. To learn more about the project details, visit this article from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
USF Information Technology’s Advanced Visualization Center (AVC), part of the Research Technology team, will be instrumental in developing the AI systems that will guide the creation of a large-scale, educational platform to be used to replicate the program nationally. The USF collaborators are building a digital platform that administrators and instructors can customize to fit their individual program requirements. It will include features such as curriculum integration, media management, and Multi-Driven AI-driven agents, making it easier for educators to implement and manage their programs.
Our efforts are supported by collaboration with multiple partners, including USF Innovative Education , which is responsible for the media and instructional design, and the VRG Learning Institute, our virtual reality partner. We are also working closely with accessibility specialists and experts in the field to ensure that the AI systems we develop are effective and inclusive.
USF IT is committed to leveraging technology to create inclusive and accessible learning environments. Through our contributions to this project, we are helping to pave the way for a more equitable educational landscape for students and adult learners with disabilities. We look forward to continuing our work and seeing the positive impact this platform will have on learners nationwide.
USF IT is also assisting in the development of several other augmented and virtual reality projects. These include a problem-solving interactive experience directed by Dr. Lindsay Persohn and an augmented reality physics application guided by Dr. David Rosengrant, both from the College of Education, respectively.
For more information about USF IT and the services we provide, visit our website.
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