Innovations Shaping Our Future

This post is provided by guest blogger, Hailey Kaddatz, graduate student at the University of St Francis in Joliet, MS in Talent and Development program.

Today’s technology refers to rapid developments in AI, renewable energy sources, and communication tools, among others. These innovations are changing daily life and many sectors. For example, different industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing help AI to make better decisions, and customer experiences (Feldman, 2024). Solar and wind energy technologies are solving climate challenges while providing sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, tools including video talks and collaboration software are changing how we communicate and work, especially in remote environments. The use of these technologies enhances efficiency. It also opens the door for fresh opportunities for development, training, and innovation in many sectors.

The source is a very dependable one and gives a lot of information about the current technological trends. It uses credible studies and expert opinions. So, it can be helpful for a lot of people, especially the students. Knowing how technology has influenced education can be useful for students. It can also help professionals. They can learn how trends will impact their workspace. This resource is great for anyone who wants to become aware of the latest tech trends. These trends affect their career and personal life.

Reference:

Feldman, K. (2024, December 18). The 9 industries that will benefit the most from AI. isixsigma. https://www.isixsigma.com/artificial-intelligence/the-industries-that-will-benefit-the-most-from-ai/#:~:text=While%20healthcare%2C%20finance%2C%20retail%2C,confined%20to%20these%20sectors%20alone

Data Graphs: Emerging e-learning tool

Technological Innovations in Data Usefulness

This post is provided by guest blogger, Gerald Edwards Jr., graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program

There is a massive amount of digital data available on any number of subjects. AI has pushed the boundaries of big data. Gleaning useful information from endless search parameters is an infinite challenge, especially in the e-learning setting. The use of AI and big data mining makes it nearly impossible for students, in the time frame of semester course work, to make meaningful connections between various subject matters. There is an emerging tool that is indispensable to students and researchers at all levels of education, but specifically in the e-learning setting.

An article published in the journal Heliyon, analyzes the available peer reviewed published research literature on the use of data graphs as an effective search technology which is highly adaptable and suited for the digital learning environment. The authors provide a systematic appraisal of user usefulness and successful research outcomes in the digital learning environment when searching topics using institutionally compiled data graphs. Data graphs allow seemingly independent information variables to interconnect and return more meaningful data to the user through AI and human compiled related data. This information is useful when students and institutions are interested in a comprehensive understanding of a specific topic. Data graphs have been developed in other areas but are emerging as a invaluable tool for higher education students and instructors participating in the e-learning environment.

Abu-Salih, B. & Alotaibi, S. (2024).  A systematic literature review of knowledge graph construction and application in education. Heliyon, (10)3. https://doi.org/10.1016/jheliyon.2024.e25383

e-learning

ChatGPT Assessments: Rethinking Curriculum Design in an AI World

This post is provided by guest blogger, Rachel Dobrich Ruffetti, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, working towards the Talent Development Certificate.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can potentially create personalized, interactive learning environments tailored to individual needs (Bennett & Abusalem, 2024). Since research remains limited, universities are reevaluating curriculum and assessment methods to integrate AI meaningfully. They are advocating for collaborative approaches that blend human intelligence with AI strengths. Key concerns include distinguishing between human and AI-generated work. Although source citation partially addresses this, redesigning assessment tasks can further mitigate risks. By leveraging Bloom’s Taxonomy, educators can emphasize higher-order thinking skills to reduce academic misconduct. Strategies, including monitoring assessment stages, incorporating self-reflection, and narrating presentations, can prove students’ original thoughts. Some universities are also exploring AI as research partners to enhance writing and language learning. While challenges exist, AI presents significant opportunities to enrich education. 

I recommend this article for instructors in higher education. It provides insights into how institutions are embracing AI rather than resisting it. Many concerns stem from a lack of research on AI’s role in higher education. However, this article offers a foundation for rethinking instruction and assessment. College should prepare students for the workforce, where AI will be integral. Rather than banning AI, institutions should engage students in meaningful projects that develop their ability to manage and implement AI responsibly. As the article emphasizes, thoughtful AI integration, with regulation and ethical considerations, can shift learning from rote memorization to critical thinking.

Reference
Bennett, L., & Abusalem, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the future of higher education. Athens Journal of Education, 11(3), 195–212. https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.stfrancis.edu/linkprocessor/plink?id=8838c1ff-5edb-3238-9627-e20d028c7409

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment.

AI Revolutionizing Business Education

This post is provided by guest blogger, Stephanie Lawrence, graduate student at the University of St Francis in Joliet, MS in Talent Development program.

Since the launch of ChatGPT, the technology is transforming business education by enabling personalized learning and operational efficiencies. Despite challenges with AI adoption inconsistencies and ethical concerns, the University of Toronto has chosen to develop its own simple AI assistant to support students (Murray, 2025). The All Day TA tool provides a streamlined student experience though students being able to find quick answers to questions instead of waiting for professor responses or being afraid of asking questions in front of the class and getting immediate feedback (Murray, 2025). The tool, which can be tailored to faculty curriculum, has now been adopted by nearly 100 other institutions (Murray, 2025).

The source is a very recent article from the Financial Times, a reliable and reputable source. It provides examples of AI integration in business education, which can be inspirational and valuable for educators, administrators, and decisionmakers interested in adopting similar AI technologies. The article does note some challenges like equitable access and ethical considerations, which opens the door for further research regarding these concerns.

Category: E-Learning, Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence

Reference:

Murray, S. (2025, March 16). Business schools ease their resistance to AI. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/daa0f68d-774a-4e5e-902c-5d6e8bf687dc

Cloud Supported Collaborative Learning: Enhancing Student Engagement

This post is provided by guest blogger, Erica LoBurgio, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development Program.

In this article Engagement in cloud-supported collaborative learning and student knowledge construction: a modeling study, authored by Ahmed N. Al-Rahmi, Mohd Shahizan Othman, Rusli Abdullah, Mo’ez Al-Habaibeh, Yousef Mehmood Yahaya Al-Rahmi, Muhammad Atta Ullah, and Norshahriza Nordin, published in 2022 in the in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, studies how the impact cloud supported collaboration has on student knowledge and the learning environments.

The use of cloud supported collaboration such as Google Drive Sheets for post graduate students with knowledge sharing, reflective thinking, and enhancement of collaborative learning. The article provides a study amongst 180 post graduate students, who all participate in an activity to study the student engagement and overall improvement of student learning outcomes. The study utilizes collaboration in Google Drive Sheets, utilizing the importance of research focus, methodology, implications, and practical implications in the learning environment.

The article delivers the importance of cognitive presence, knowledge sharing, and reflective thinking in the learning environment. The study and article explain how the use of cloud based collaborative learning enhances the student’s knowledge, engagement, and learning in their environment.

Lin, X., Spector, J. M., & Ren, X. (2022). Engagement in cloud-supported collaborative learning and student knowledge construction: a modeling study. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-022-00317-2




Self-Regulated Learning in Online Education Using AI

This post is provided by guest blogger, Erica LoBurgio, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development Program.

In this article Supporting students’ self-regulated learning in online learning using artificial intelligence applications, authored by Yannis Vovides, Sara Sanchez-Alonso, Vasiliki Mitropoulou, and Gwendoline Nickmans, published in 2023 in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, studies how the use of artificial intelligence can improve students in self-regulated learning during their online education. The article explains how utilizing artificial intelligence’s adaptive learning patterns, emotional assistance to students, and personalized responses help as tools and techniques required for the student’s needs.

The article delivers the importance of utilization of artificial intelligence for learning environments. There is a study that explains combined teacher support and constructed feedback, and the importance of it for the student. Specifically, learning outcomes in the online environments which help to assist the students in management of their learning processes more effectively.

Vovides, Y., Sanchez-Alonso, S., Mitropoulou, V., & Nickmans, G. (2023). Supporting students’ self-regulated learning in online learning using artificial intelligence applications. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-023-00314-9

Is Tech Friend or Foe in Healthcare?

This post is provided by guest blogger, Michelle Edwards, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

Current and future technologies are impacting healthcare. In particular, this article focused on the computerized patient order entry (CPOE) programs. This process is used by clinicians to enter and send treatment instructions electronically through a CPOE application; previously this was done by paper. These applications were created in hopes to improve patient safety to help alleviate wrong- dosing, wrong medication, wrong route and wrong delivery.

The article explains how there remains many flaws with these applications from many programs not having the ability to recognize an incorrect entry by a clinician. (E.g.) An error in the keystroke such as future dating for a year away, there should flag that alerts the clinician requiring them to verify for things like this. The article mentioned a pharmacist set a medication start date for a year away instead of the next morning these things could not only cause a delay a care but could lead up to and include an untimely death. Alarm and alert fatigue, currently clinicians override the system alerts and although only about 10% were incorrectly overridden, when we speak in term of patient lives even 1% is too many. These errors can impact patient outcomes tremendously. 

The author mentioned AI being introduced into healthcare and how this will present challenges; AI tends to learn behaviors this could lead to the AI making decisions without the clinician being involved, as a clinician in healthcare myself this sounds so scary. I will say from the overall tone of the article technology has brought us so far but truly we have so far to go and still face many challenges that we need to explore with current technologies and the future technologies on the rise and to stay on top of these things. I will personally say that within the next 3 years there will be new jobs in healthcare that will deal with these exact issues. 

Reference

 Holmgren, J., McBride, S., Gale, B, & Mossburg, S. (2023, March 29). Technology as a tool for improving patient safety. Patient Safety Network. Retrieved from: https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/technology-tool-improving-patient-safety#:~:text=Introduction,cost%20across%20all%20healthcare%20settings. 

Taming the AI Beast!

This post is provided by your genial guest blogger, Daniel Liestman, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Rather than fretting about AI taking your job, Boysen (2024) suggests using AI to enhance your job. AI algorithms can analyze data on colleague’s performance, preferences, and progress to generate customized content and exercises. Opportunities include personalizing learning paths.  Adaptive learning platforms dynamically adjust the content based on learner responses.   With its ability to sort through swaths of information, AI can curate content.  Wanna play a game? AI can help.  AI predictive analytics can preemptively identify skills gaps.  Chatbots provide learners with a guide on the side in their learning experience. AI also offers ongoing training rather than periodic sessions.

Boysen (2024) offers some not yet realized possibilities for T&D AI in the not-too-distant future.  Her suggestions are thusly anything but reassuring.  Each of these applications are tasks AI can do quicker and probably better than mere mortals.  Frankly, I wonder if T&D will even be needed as AI can perform duties in which we train learners. The truth tends to lie somewhere between the idea that the status quo will prevail, and the dark dystopian predictions of displaced humans rendered useless by AI.  As long as AI is subject to our direction, things should be fine…shouldn’t they?

 Boysen, S. (2024, January 5). Harnessing the power of AI in training and development. ATD. https://www.td.org/atd-blog/harnessing-the-power-of-ai-in-training-and-development

Ask not what AI is going to do to you, but what you are going to do with AI.

This post is provided to you by genial and gracious guest blogger, Daniel Liestman, graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, MS in Training and Development program.

Before seeking to incorporate AI into training, one must first consider how to engage with AI in the design process itself.  AI can assist in conducting and assessing the learning needs analysis.   AI can create eLearning course outlines as well as build content. AI can also assist in writing introductions, crafting transitions, or crafting conclusions.  AI can also generate Level 1 and 2 activities and quizzes.  AI generated visuals can also be quite engaging!  Beyond design, AI can evaluate instructional design content.  AI to stays current with the latest trends in instructional design.

Most TD blogs on AI consider incorporating it into training. This blog realizes this is not the goal.  Numerous examples are offered which will make the most of free AI sites and tools.  This blog is iterative and provides important background information from previous entries to make for a more complete learning experience.  At the same time, none of these tools are fool proof.  Chat GPT3.5 is offered as a tool for summarizing a discussion and acknowledges some light proof-reading may be needed.  Light-proofing—HA!  Last time I tried it to summarize, I got nonsense reduced to gibberish. 

Proceed with caution.

Robertson, D. (2024). Improve your instructional design workflow with these 8 practical AI tool uses. Neovation. https://www.neovation.com/learn/87-8-practical-ai-tool-uses-for-your-instructional-design-workflow

Emerging Technologies and eLearning-Raising the Bar

This post is provided by guest blogger, Danielle Victoriano, graduate student University of St. Francis, MS Training and Development program.

E-Learning is evolving to create the ultimate self-driven and self-paced yet interactive design. It is emerging into an interactive model that is intuitive for the learners’ needs. Is this what learners need and want? Will this aid them in achieving their goals? Mangalvedhe examines this in this 2023 article. The author examines how emerging technologies can influence and transform learning and development moving forward. In the article, the author examines how artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gamification, mobile learning and microlearning will change how we interact and respond within the learning model to a more profound level than we have in eLearning.

This is an excellent article for content creators and instructional designers that are seeking ways to provide interaction and take learning to an application level. The author examines in detail how each technology can be integrated into instructional design. Mangalvedhe (2023) also discusses how each technology can fulfill and appeal to the various needs of learners. Examples are provided to suggest how these technologies can be executed successfully in the created content. These examples will be a starting point to consider using these advanced technologies that workplaces are already utilizing to raise the bar of flexible and efficient learning while expediting the upskilling process.  

References

Mangalvedhe, A. (2023, January 12). The emerging technologies in Elearning. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/the-emerging-technologies-in-elearning