| |JANUARY 20268IN MY OPINION By Jean Mandernach, Professor, Grand Canyon UniversityHUMANIZING THE DIGITAL: FACULTY, AI, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF LEARNINGThrough this article, Jean Mandernach explores the evolving role of technology, particularly AI, in education, emphasizing the importance of faculty development, needs-driven innovation, and a shift towards personalized, meaningful learning experiences beyond traditional metrics and methods.Career Milestones: Tech to Teaching LeadershipMy path to becoming Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching at Grand Canyon University stems from a deep and enduring fascination with educational technology. This journey began in the 1990s. While initially drawn to the exciting possibilities of technology in education, I always tempered my enthusiasm with a healthy dose of critical inquiry. I consistently asked questions like: How will this technology impact student learning? What evidence demonstrates its effectiveness? For the past three decades, this line of questioning has driven my research into educational innovations. Now, at the Center, we leverage this approach to guide faculty in critically evaluating the impact of technology on learning. We ensure that any innovation we pursue is rooted in meaningful, research-driven practices, ultimately prioritizing enhancing the learning experience.Supporting Faculty Innovation: Needs-Driven, AI-PoweredInstitutions often overwhelm faculty with endless new technologies and teaching strategies, expecting them to choose what works. This misses the mark. Instead of leading with tools, we should focus on teaching fundamentals--helping faculty identify student challenges, learning barriers, and pressing needs within their discipline and objectives. Then, we can introduce fitting strategies and technologies.Traditional faculty training in digital and hybrid learning relies on webinars, videos, and static websites. While useful, these lack personalization. AI offers customized, individualized support. AI-driven chatbots can guide instructors through a structured process to pinpoint instructional challenges, explore targeted solutions, and master high-impact strategies. This shift to a tailored, needs-driven model is key to effectively supporting faculty innovation.Jean Mandernach
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