AI-fueled client-centric Project-Based Learning
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
4-10-2026 12:45 PM
Description of Program
We present six AI-focused relational teaching projects using AI simulations, personas, data mapping, narratives, and reflective tools addressing diverse issues while building students’ analytical, collaborative, and decision-making skills through real-world experiential learning.
Abstract
Transdisciplinary Problem Based Learning (TPBL) has become an essential engagement approach in delivering practical real-world problems that supports experiential learning and career-readiness. To further ignite and accelerate this model Dr. Jan Figa, created six AI-focused Relational Teaching projects that form an on-going alliance with Dr. Garcia’s BAN8900 capstone course to advance the client-centric Project-Based Learning (ccPBL) approach in which learners gain practical experiential learning, develop analytical proficiency, project management skills, informed decision making, communicating with impact, and collaborative teamwork. These projects form an evolving eco-system demonstrating evidence-based practice integrating across knowledge domains, democratizes talent, and supporting public good: 1…interactive map of Food, Pharmacy and Medical deserts for the Southland region to test veracity of AI-generated answers to actual data. 2…AI-based immersive digital equivalent of Urban Dynamics Simulation Game – a boardgame co-developed by McClellan in 1970 loosely based on University Park -- to simulate effect of policies on food, pharmacy, and medical deserts. 3…AI personas with varying levels of reasoning to teach financial literacy to students who test and critique those AI-based decisions. 4…Health Engagement Journey through AI-created persona’s wellness story in a game-like experience to motivate change, reflect struggles, and experiment with possible solutions. 5…AI personas from video narratives of current and former GovState students to allow continued, albeit limited, engaged questioning. This AI-based approach was applied to massive oral interview dataset (HistoryMakers) to determine patterns for critical engagement with historical and contemporary governance specific to public policy and its consequences e.g., deserts and redlining. 6…AI-analyzed music playlists with structured prompts and facilitated experiences to help students pause, recognize patterns in their learning and life experiences, strengthen emotional readiness, metacognitive awareness, and capacity for meaning-making through guided listening and reflective practice.
AI-fueled client-centric Project-Based Learning
University Library
Transdisciplinary Problem Based Learning (TPBL) has become an essential engagement approach in delivering practical real-world problems that supports experiential learning and career-readiness. To further ignite and accelerate this model Dr. Jan Figa, created six AI-focused Relational Teaching projects that form an on-going alliance with Dr. Garcia’s BAN8900 capstone course to advance the client-centric Project-Based Learning (ccPBL) approach in which learners gain practical experiential learning, develop analytical proficiency, project management skills, informed decision making, communicating with impact, and collaborative teamwork. These projects form an evolving eco-system demonstrating evidence-based practice integrating across knowledge domains, democratizes talent, and supporting public good: 1…interactive map of Food, Pharmacy and Medical deserts for the Southland region to test veracity of AI-generated answers to actual data. 2…AI-based immersive digital equivalent of Urban Dynamics Simulation Game – a boardgame co-developed by McClellan in 1970 loosely based on University Park -- to simulate effect of policies on food, pharmacy, and medical deserts. 3…AI personas with varying levels of reasoning to teach financial literacy to students who test and critique those AI-based decisions. 4…Health Engagement Journey through AI-created persona’s wellness story in a game-like experience to motivate change, reflect struggles, and experiment with possible solutions. 5…AI personas from video narratives of current and former GovState students to allow continued, albeit limited, engaged questioning. This AI-based approach was applied to massive oral interview dataset (HistoryMakers) to determine patterns for critical engagement with historical and contemporary governance specific to public policy and its consequences e.g., deserts and redlining. 6…AI-analyzed music playlists with structured prompts and facilitated experiences to help students pause, recognize patterns in their learning and life experiences, strengthen emotional readiness, metacognitive awareness, and capacity for meaning-making through guided listening and reflective practice.