Professor Hiroaki Ogata sparks new AI learning adventures at MIT

To bring diverse perspectives and expertise to AI-enabled learning and learning analytics, the Research Cluster on AI and Metaverse in Education under the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) invited Professor Hiroaki Ogata from Kyoto University to visit and host a series of knowledge-sharing activities at EdUHK between 14 and 17 July. His visit was part of a collaborative initiative led by the research cluster aimed at fostering international academic exchange and advancing research cooperation.

Professor Ogata first presented his team’s latest research on learning analytics in immersive and AI-supported environments to EdUHK researchers. His talk provided insights into data-driven approaches for grouping learners, and for collecting, analysing, and interpreting learners’ data from various virtual environments, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). His analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of learning processes in immersive environments.

In the second activity, Professor Ogata listened and provided feedback on presentations by faculty members and students at EdUHK about their ongoing projects, such as metaverse and VR-based learning analytics for language and science education. This exchange session also aimed to explore potential synergies and future collaborations.

Professor Ogata also conducted a workshop titled “LEAF: Establishing an Educational Digital Ecosystem for Learning Analytics and Evidence-Based Education”. This session introduced the LEAF framework and demonstrated its use in capturing multimodal data and enhancing curriculum design through learning analytics (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Finally, he held one-on-one consultations with EdUHK researchers and students, giving personalised advice on their research ideas and direction.

“The rapid development of generative AI and immersive technologies has made them increasingly important in education. Together, they make learning more accessible, tailored, and enjoyable. Professor Ogata’s visit successfully laid the groundwork for potential joint research proposals and collaborative publications, promoting long-term cooperation in generative AI and immersive learning environments between our institutions,” said Professor Song Yanjie from the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, who is also the Leader of the research cluster and Associate Director of the Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education at the University.