[publication] aicast: Combining AI-Generated and Instructor-Defined Content in Educational Podcasts #research #tugraz

At this year’s ED-Media conference, we introduced a new AI-based concept for educational podcasts: „aicast: Combining AI-Generated and Instructor-Defined Content in Educational Podcasts„.

Abstract:
Generative AI is transforming educational content. In this poster, we present aicast.fyi, an open-source platform for producing personalized educational podcasts that combine AI-generated and instructor-defined content. Each track contains dynamic and fixed segments. Instructors define guiding questions during track design, ensuring alignment with learning objectives. This hybrid approach addresses concerns about maintaining instructional integrity with automation and personalization. The poster provides an architectural overview and demonstrates how the system integrates text generation and voice synthesis to produce audio-based learning experiences. Instructional designers must play an active role in shaping AI-assisted educational tools. This poster invites educators, designers, and researchers to engage with aicast and collaborate on developing high-quality, responsible, and learner-centered audio content. By allowing learners to control content sequences and personalize segments based on their own inputs, aicast.fyi also supports self-regulated learning (SRL), empowering users to take ownership of their educational journey.

[draft @ ResearchGate]
[full article @ conference website]

Reference: Brünner, B., Leitner, P., Geier, G. & Ebner, M. (2025). aicast: Combining AI-Generated and Instructor-Defined Content in Educational Podcasts. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 148-152). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved June 4, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226139/

[presentation] Implementing multilingual MOOCs in European University Alliances with the help of AI usage, LTI and open licenses: Technical & organizational challenges #tugraz #emoocs2025

We also presented one paper within the Experience Track of the EMOOCs 2025 conference in Paris. This time the presentation was about „Implementing multilingual MOOCs in European University Alliances with the help of AI usage, LTI and open licenses: Technical & organizational challenges (Presentation)„. Our slides are, of course, available online.

[Link to the slides]

[presentation] Synthetic Educators: Analyzing AI-Driven Avatars in Digital Learning Environments #HCII25

Our research about AI-Driven Avatars was presented at 27th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Struger, P., Brünner, B., & Ebner, M. (2025, Juni 23). Presentation: Synthetic Educators: Analyzing AI-Driven Avatars in Digital Learning Environments. Graz University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.3217/bngt5-p2053

[publication] Understanding the Core of LLMs as genAI -CollectiveGPT and Human Intelligence #tugraz #workshop

At this year’s ED-Media conference, we also did a workshop on „Understanding the Core of LLMs as genAI -CollectiveGPT and Human Intelligence„. Find a short published summary about it.

Abstract:
This workshop provides an engaging and interactive exploration of Large Language Models (LLMs), with a focus on how they operate at a foundational level. Using CollectiveGPT, an educational chatbot developed by the Ed-Tech Research Community Graz, participants gained firsthand experience understanding the principles behind generative AI (genAI) systems such as ChatGPT. Designed for educators of all disciplines, the workshop demystifies key LLM concepts such as probability-based word prediction, contextual understanding, and the role of training data. Attendees generated texts and compare their results with real-time outputs from ChatGPT, highlighting the differences between human reasoning and AI prediction. Key topics include prompting techniques, context framing, training bias, misinformation, and ethical considerations in AI use. Participants explored system prompt injection techniques and developed advanced prompting skills to optimize responses from AI systems. This workshop empowered educators with the knowledge to critically evaluate and responsibly use AI tools in their teaching. By fostering AI literacy, attendees got clear understanding of how LLMs work and how they can be leveraged to enhance learning experiences across diverse educational settings.

[publication @ conference website]
[draft @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Brünner, B. & Ebner, M. (2025). Understanding the Core of LLMs as genAI – CollectiveGPT and Human Intelligence. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 153-154). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved June 14, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226329/.

[publication] Workshop for Special Interest Group Emerging Technologies for Learning and Teaching: Exploring Educational Podcasts with AI #tugraz #research

We also did workshops at this year’s ED-Media conference. One of them was titled „Workshop for Special Interest Group Emerging Technologies for Learning and Teaching: Exploring Educational Podcasts with AI“ and followed the idea of open discussions.

Abstract:
How can educators unleash the power of AI without losing control over core educational strategies? In this workshop, we introduced aicast, an open-source platform for educational podcasts that combines the best of both worlds: AI-generated elements for personalization and flexibility, and fixed elements, with instructor-defined content to ensure pedagogical accuracy. This hybrid approach reduces the risks associated with AI-generated materials like hallucinations. Attendees experienced how the platform utilizes LLMs like ChatGPT for personalized content authoring and ElevenLabs for high-quality voice synthesis, enabling real-time creation of educational audio content. After a short demo and hands-on session, participants engaged in a guided discussion: What is the core of an educational podcast? Most importantly from the perspective of an instructional designer, how must an educational podcast be? This session was part of the Special Interest Group on Emerging Technologies for Learning and Teaching at the ED-Media 2025 conference.

[draft @ ResearchGate]
[full article @ conference website]

Reference: Ebner, M. & Brünner, B. (2025). Workshop for Special Interest Group Emerging Technologies for Learning and Teaching: Exploring Educational Podcasts with AI. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 1375-1376). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved June 4, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226347/.

[publication] Empowering Students through Visual Analytics: A Dashboard Redesign for Modern #learninganalytics #tugraz

Our paper, „Empowering Students through Visual Analytics: A Dashboard Redesign for Modern,“ which was awarded at this year’s EDMedia conference, is now available online.

Abstract:
Graz University of Technology originally launched a study progress dashboard in 2020 to help students monitor their academic progress and better understand their degree structures. In response to systematic changes in the university’s academic data modeling and the phasing out of legacy curricula between 2022 and 2024, the dashboard underwent a complete technical and conceptual overhaul. This paper presents the redesigned tool, which now features a modular, service-oriented architecture, real-time integration of current curricula, and enriched analytics combining student records with historical performance data. Supporting all Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, the updated dashboard continues to prioritize usability, transparency, and student autonomy. Drawing on student feedback and us-age data collected since the dashboard’s introduction, we analyze patterns of adoption and engagement, highlight lessons learned, and offer practical guidance for institutions aiming to implement adaptable, student-centered learning analytics systems.

[draft @ researchgate]
[full paper @ conference website]

Reference: Leitner, P., Pranter, P.P., Brünner, B. & Ebner, M. (2025). Empowering Students through Visual Analytics: A Dashboard Redesign for Modern Curricula. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 599-608). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved May 28, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226201/.

[publication] Rapid Multilingual Video Production utilizing Artificial Intelligence #AI

At this year’s EDMedia conference, we published a publication titled „Rapid Multilingual Video Production utilizing Artificial Intelligence„.

Abstract:
This study presents the Rapid Multilingual Video Production (RMVPro) framework, an optimized process for creating high-quality multilingual educational videos using artificial intelligence (AI). The framework involves three stages: planning, translation, and production, with each stage involving iterative feedback loops with experts and native speakers to ensure linguistic and cultural accuracy of the translations. The framework for the Multilingual Video Sprint was tested during an international conference and the produced multilingual videos showing an AI human avatar were evaluated in a MOOC with feedback from 128 students. Results showed that AI could be utilized to accelerate video production while maintaining the clarity and comprehensibility of educational content. However, feedback indicated mixed perceptions of AI-generated human avatars, with some students preferring human facilitators for reasons of authenticity. The use of AI avatars in multilingual educational videos must be implemented carefully, but the RMVPro framework ensures high quality while utilizing the potential of AI to rapidly produce multilingual educational videos.

[draft @ researchgate]
[full version @ conference website]

Reference: Brünner, B. & Ebner, M. (2025). Rapid Multilingual Video Production utilizing Artificial Intelligence. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 1223-1230). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved May 28, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226280/.

[publication] Exploring Teachers‘ Use of Educational Technology to Support Self-Regulated Learning in Secondary Education #research

Our publication at this year’s ED-Media conference titled „Exploring Teachers‘ Use of Educational Technology to Support Self-Regulated Learning in Secondary Education“ is now online available.

Abstract:
Gaining practical insights into teachers’ classroom practices is essential for advancing instructional design, yet such insights are often difficult to obtain. Considering the rapid technological developments, the integration of educational technology into everyday teaching is becoming increasingly important for preparing students for future challenges. Self-regulated learning (SRL) has emerged as a key 21st-century competence, and educational technologies can play a supportive role in its development. Our study seeks to deepen our understanding of how teachers utilize educational technologies to foster SRL by examining real classroom practices. In this work-in-progress paper, we aim to present the design of the quantitative phase, which forms the foundation for further investigation and the whole scientific process.

[draft @ researchgate]
[full version @ conference website]

Reference: Geier, G., Ebner, M. & Burgsteiner, H. (2025). Exploring Teachers‘ Use of Educational Technology to Support Self-Regulated Learning in Secondary Education. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 841-846). Barcelona, Spain: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved May 28, 2025 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/226228/.