���۴�ý

By: Cassidy Delamarter, USF College of Education

As artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping classrooms and careers, the University of South ���۴�ý’s College of Education is pioneering research, equipping educators and ensuring innovation translates to real impact.

This year, the college’s signature annual event, Education in Action, provided a space for community partners, educators and researchers to explore AI and spark thoughtful conversation about the future of education, underscoring a central theme of the event: ensuring educators feel empowered, not overwhelmed, by technological change.

The program explored the evolving role of AI in education. Through a growing portfolio of AI-focused research and a deep passion for education and student success, the College of Education is driving forward high-impact research and technology to advance the practical application of AI in real-world settings.

With $33 million in research expenditures, faculty are exploring how emerging technologies can enhance teaching and personalize learning. Experts, like Associate Dean Zafer Unal, are actively developing and sharing free, accessible tools designed to help teachers confidently integrate AI into their classrooms. 

The event featured Unal’s platform, TeacherServer.com, which has nearly six million users in just over a year since its launch. The online platform is home to more than 1,100 free AI tools for educators – ranging from lesson plan generators to curriculum quiz makers, all up-to-date with the latest set of standards.

“The College of Education is helping build AI tools to help educators be more comfortable in the classroom with AI,” Unal said. 

Inside USF Education classrooms, faculty are preparing the next generation of educators and introducing students to new, emerging technologies early on. Brianna Connors, a visiting assistant professor of instruction, leads one of the core classes for freshman and sophomores entering the College of Education. She passionately teaches pedagogy and provides her students with hands-on learning opportunities to prepare them for their future careers.

In collaboration with Richard Rho, program director of the Educational Technology Labs, Connors has integrated technologies, such as virtual reality, into her coursework to create immersive, practice-based learning experiences for future educators. 

“At USF, our future teachers are developing as critical thinkers who learn to use AI and innovative technologies as tools to expand what is possible in the classroom and to build their skills — not replace them,” Connors said. 

Connors took the stage with two students, Madison Quinn and Liliana Thwaites, who demoed a virtual reality headset that Connors uses in her classroom. The technology immerses students in real K-12 classroom settings filmed in 360 degrees, creating a lifelike field placement experience that helps them connect course concepts to real-world teaching practice.

Quinn, who is studying Science Education, shared how the technology allows her to run science experiments that she will use some day in her future classroom. Instead of making a potentially hazardous error in front of real students, she can practice science safety and test the best tactics to safely run her experiments. 

The event brought together leaders from across the region, including representatives from all six Suncoast area school districts, university leadership, community partners and supporters who share a commitment to strengthening education and preparing the next generation of educators.

The College of Education extends special appreciation to Suncoast Credit Union, the event’s presenting sponsor, whose support helped make this important conversation possible.

“We recognize that innovation happens best through partnership. We are committed to working alongside our community and surrounding districts to help navigate the evolving landscape of education,” said Jenifer Jasinski Schneider, interim dean of the college. “Together, we can ensure that new technologies strengthen teaching and learning while keeping human flourishing at the center.”

The keynote presentation by John Licato, associate professor in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, challenged attendees to think critically about how AI can support learning while maintaining a strong focus on ethics, responsibility and human-centered education.

“We are truly excited to learn more about the innovative work happening at USF and to bring these ideas, strategies and possibilities back to our staff to strengthen teaching and learning for our students,” said Brandi Anderson, principal at Seminole Heights Elementary, who attended with her team. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The USF College of Education extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors and partners who helped make Education in Action possible. Partnership and collaboration helps advance meaningful conversations, strengthen collaboration with school districts and community organizations, and support the preparation of the next generation of educators.

Presenting Sponsor

• Suncoast Credit Union

Bulls Sponsors

• Hafer Family Foundation
• Hillsborough Education Foundation
• Judith Ponticell

Table Sponsors

• Lou and RoseAnne Bowers
• CKT Development
• David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching
• Hillsborough County Public Schools
• Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

The 2027 Education in Action will focus on the intersection of athletics and exercise science in education. Event details will be shared in the coming months on our calendar.