The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform education was the focus of lively discussion among speakers and attendees.

Prestigious speakers, including Prof. Le Anh Vinh - Director of the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences and Dr. Sean McMinn - Director of the Center for Educational Innovation (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), shared interesting insights about the transformative impact of AI taking shape in learning design and educational practice.

Prof. Le Anh Vinh emphasized that “the future of learning is defined by three key principles: adaptability, inclusiveness and collaboration”. Rapidly developing technologies such as AI and virtual reality are changing the educational landscape, requiring us to change the way we develop content and pedagogy. However, it is essential to ensure equitable access for all students and close collaboration between stakeholders.

Dr. Sean McMinn presents compelling data on job skills transfer and market demand, highlighting the key components of “true readiness.”

“True readiness involves more than just familiarity with tools. It requires ethical understanding, innovative pedagogy, and collaboration between humans and AI,” says Dr. McMinn.

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Dr. Sean McMinn (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) presented on innovations in learning design and educational practice

Balancing innovation with traditional approaches

As educational institutions become increasingly technology-driven, it is important to strike a balance between integrating cutting-edge technologies into teaching methods and traditional pedagogical approaches.

“We are the drivers of change. The key is how we leverage AI as an enabler rather than a disruptive force. AI and other technologies are partners, not replacements,” said Glen O’Grady, Director of Learning Experience and Success at RMIT Vietnam.

“People are irreplaceable,” he said.

On this journey of technological transformation, educators should be open to exploring the power of innovation while remaining mindful of how new technologies can impact existing classroom culture.

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Mr. Glen O'Grady (second from left) - Director of Learning Experience and Success at RMIT Vietnam, speaking at the panel discussion

Pioneering the Future of Learning

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of equipping educators and staff with the skills needed to navigate these changes is paramount. Attendees also participated in two workshops on the practical applications of AI and learning design at RMIT.

In the AI ​​in Practice workshop, attendees learned about the transformative power of AI in higher education and were exposed to the most popular tools that can help them develop appropriate implementation strategies. The session also gave attendees hands-on experience with Val 2.0, an AI tool co-developed by RMIT University with Microsoft.

“Generative AI has the incredible potential to change the way we work in higher education,” says RMIT learning futurist Nick McIntosh.

“We need to acknowledge that concerns about AI are valid and ensure that we are thoughtfully helping to navigate these changes.”

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Educators collaborate to design innovative digital learning experiences in a Learning Design session

The Learning Design session, a recent focus in higher education, introduced the process of designing a comprehensive multimodal course at RMIT Vietnam. This process adheres to the principles of multimodal learning, as well as the university’s signature Triple A pedagogy of active, applied and authentic. Attendees gained insights into the multifaceted role of learning designers and the close collaboration between them and subject-specific lecturers.

In addition, learning design is evolving alongside advances in AI, harnessing the power of technology to create engaging content for a variety of learning environments.

“We work closely with teachers, who are true subject matter experts, to create courses that are both effective and engaging. Our workflow is dynamic, incorporating the latest technologies to enhance not only the quality of the content, but also the interactivity and depth of the learning experience,” said RMIT Learning Design Manager Sasha Stubbs.

Doan Phong