AI-Powered Tutor Uses Google Cloud to Generate Learning Activities

In collaboration with Google Cloud, Walden University has created a new tool that uses artificial intelligence to help students review and master course concepts. The technology, which the institution is calling an AI-powered tutor named "Julian," taps into Google Cloud's AI and machine learning capabilities to generate a variety of on-demand learning activities.

When an instructor loads course content into Julian and details the specific competencies — or "learning units" — required, the tool indexes the content and links each learning unit back to the related course content. The indexing and linking is reviewed by the instructor for quality assurance, and then the tool automatically generates questions, paraphrase practice, knowledge notes and other learning activities for students, delivered via chat functionality. As students complete activities the tool evaluates their responses and provides feedback.  

"While students gain knowledge in their programs, they can use Julian, the Walden AI-powered tutor, to reinforce concepts and identify learning gaps," explained Karthik Venkatesh, chief information officer at Walden, in a statement. "Students will see a new set of activities generated by the AI-powered tutor every time they interact with the tool. It also creates educational notes for the student, which they can reference throughout the program and beyond."

In early tests at Walden, students who tried Julian said that it was "a good addition to their learning process," according to a university statement, and particularly useful in "adding to their knowledge on various concepts and for completing assignments."

"At various points in the academic term, we found that different features became even more important for students," noted Steven Tom, chief transformation officer at Walden. "Earlier in the term, the knowledge notes feature was more valuable. Later in the term, having the tool quiz them and assess their knowledge mastery became more valuable. We are using student feedback to work on the next iteration and will test the Walden AI-powered tutor on a wider group of students."

A webinar providing a demo of the tool is available on demand here.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • abstract pattern of shapes, arrows and circuit lines

    Internet2 Announces a New President and CEO to Step Up in October

    Internet2, the member-driven nonprofit offering advanced network technology services and cyberinfrastructure to the research and education community has completed its search, which began this past May, for a new president and CEO to take the helm.

  • shield with an AI microchip emblem hovering above stacks of gold coins

    AI Security Spend Surges While Traditional Security Budgets Shrink

    A new Thales report reveals that while enterprises are pouring resources into AI-specific protections, only 8% are encrypting the majority of their sensitive cloud data — leaving critical assets exposed even as AI-driven threats escalate and traditional security budgets shrink.

  • stack of gold coins disintegrates into digital particles against a dark circuit-board background with glowing AI imagery

    MIT Report: Most Organizations See No Business Return on Gen AI Investments

    A recent report out of the MIT Media Lab found that despite $30-40 billion in enterprise spending on generative AI, 95% of organizations are seeing no business return.

  • young man in a denim jacket scans his phone at a card reader outside a modern glass building

    Colleges Roll Out Mobile Credential Technology

    Allegion US has announced a partnership with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Denison College, in conjunction with Transact + CBORD, to install mobile credential technologies campuswide. Implementing Mobile Student ID into Apple Wallet and Google Wallet will allow students access to campus facilities, amenities, and residence halls using just their phones.