Metaverse/AI Symposium

Friday, April 26, 2024 |  11:30am-5pm

CSULB’s Division of Academic Affairs is proud to invite faculty to learn about teaching in the metaverse. 

This symposium will offer Beach faculty and staff the opportunity to learn about Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and their use in the classroom and discuss important topics related to emerging technological trends in higher education.

Attendees will: 

  • Learn about the metaverse and AI and how it can transform teaching and learning
  • Connect with colleagues across campus and discover AR/VR/AI resources available to you
  • Discuss pedagogy and instructional design that focus on equity and belongingness
  • Hear from faculty who are already using AR/VR/AI at The Beach
  • Explore issues of data privacy as it relates to AR/VR/XR and AI 

Event Schedule

Time Activity  People
11 am Check In & Lunch  
12:15 pm Welcome Provost, Karyn Scissum Gunn
12:20 pm Introduction & the State of Affairs AVP, Shariq Ahmed, Leslie Kennedy, and Kate Miffitt, CSU Chancellor's Office
12:45 pm AI & Metaverse Keynote Dr. Michael J. Jabbour, Chief Innovation Officer, Microsoft Education
1:45 pm Faculty AI Panel CSULB Faculty 
2:30 pm Break  
2:45 pm Educational Technology Partner Panel

Melissa Loble, Chief Academic Officer, Instructure; Mark Gebhardt, Leann McArthur, Turnitin; John King, Victory XR 
3:45 pm Academic Keynote- Metaverse Focused  Dr. Anna Queiroz, Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University 
4:15 pm Faculty Metaverse Panel  CSULB Faculty 
5:00 pm Symposium Ends  

 

Event Speakers 

M.J. Jabbour Headshot Photo

AI & Metaverse Keynote Speaker - Dr. Michael J. Jabbour 

Microsoft Education Chief Innovation Officer
Dr. Michael J. Jabbour is an expert in organizational transformation, with over two decades of experience spanning artificial intelligence, human-centered design, agile development, and healthcare at scale. As the Chief Innovation Officer for Microsoft Education and a former CIO/CTO for various NYC agencies, notably the NYC Department of Education, he has spearheaded numerous digital transformations and operational mergers, generating substantial investments in innovation project funding and constructing programs that benefit millions of users. His current role at Microsoft leverages his experience and passion for making a positive societal impact through advancements in education and healthcare.

Anna Queiroz Headshot

Academic Keynote Speaker - Dr. Anna Queiroz 

Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University 
Dr. Anna Queiroz is a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, leading innovative VR initiatives in educational and public settings across the United States, LATAM, and Europe. Her research focuses on the cognitive, social, and psychological impacts of VR on learning and human behavior, charting new frontiers in immersive education and communication. She leads one of the largest VR research projects in education, introducing VR to approximately 20,000 middle and high school students from low-income communities, earning media recognition and an award from the King Center on Global Development at Stanford University. Dr. Queiroz's research informs researchers, governments, and the industry on using immersive media in education and climate change awareness and adaptation. With a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Cognitive Psychology, as well as degrees in business, behavioral medicine, and education, her work has been published in influential journals and conferences focusing on technology's implications in communication, education, and behavior, including Scientific Reports, Computers in Human Behavior, Technology Mind and Behavior, the International Society of the Learning Sciences, and the International Communication Association.

 

Melissa Loble Headshot

Educational Technology Partner Panelist - Melissa Loble 

Chief Academic Officer, Instructure 
Melissa Loble serves as Chief Academic Officer for Instructure, where she drives the company’s global academic strategy. With extensive edtech experience as an educator in both K-12 and higher education institutions and in edtech executive leadership positions, she advocates for educators worldwide to have the necessary resources as they face ever-increasing educational barriers. Melissa currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the education industry non-profit 1EdTech, is an instructor at the University of California, Irvine, and holds several advisory roles at other organizations. She has a master’s degree in educational policy from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Leann McArthur Headshot

Educational Technology Partner Panelist - Leann McArthur

Senior Customer Success Manager, Turnitin
Leann McArthur started her career in educational technology in 2003, and has a BS in Technical Communication. She has been supporting Turnitin products since 2010. Her interests include innovative teaching methods, student success, New Majority students, academic integrity, and emerging trends in higher education (including AI literacy).

Symposium Goals

To bring interested faculty and staff together and provide a space to learn about the metaverse, AI, and current resources to support instruction in the metaverse

To explore opportunities for instruction in the metaverse and desired outcomes (e.g., increased student access and engagement, improved academic outcomes, etc.)

To provide faculty and staff a space to connect with each other based on interest and/or experience teaching in the metaverse

Disseminate work in AR/VR/AI at CSULB internally to foster an understanding of progress and achievements to date

Form an Interest Group and commitments to participate in future events to discuss the future of the metaverse at The Beach