Seeing Clearly
AI in the Classroom
When LaTonya Jordan walks into her Accounting 200 classroom, a camera mounted at the back recognizes her face and automatically tracks her movements as she teaches. Instead of capturing a wide shot of the entire room, the video focuses on her head and shoulders, creating a better experience for remote learners.
This new camera, which includes an AI-powered auto-tracking feature, is one of a pair the college piloted in two classrooms this spring.
Jordan, a senior lecturer in the Department of Accounting and Information Management, streams every lecture for remote students and posts the recordings to the college’s online learning management system. In-person students also can use the videos for review.
“I think it’s helpful for students to see my face and body language, which is hard to get in the wide shot,” Jordan says. Students say seeing her helps them stay engaged during online sessions. Residential students explain that the recordings are valuable for catching up if they miss class and reviewing material. Adam Brimer, director of Haslam’s Technology-Enhanced Education (TEE) Office, says his team introduced the new cameras in partnership with Technical Innovative Solutions (TIS). TEE oversees capturing video of every class in the building, resulting in approximately 10,000 recordings per semester. Before autotracker cameras, most recordings featured only wide shots, as human camera operators were needed to provide zooms or close-ups.
With TIS support for installation and implementation, the cameras will roll out college-wide in the fall. “That’s the result of the success of our pilot,” says Brimer. “Overall, we’ve had a very positive experience with the cameras.”
Now, students will see a waist-up shot that follows the instructor as they move around the room, improving visual engagement and allowing for lip reading. Although the system uses facial recognition, all personal data is stored locally on each camera. Faces can be stored and prioritized by classroom, making it easier for the college to manage hundreds of daily class recordings.
Brimer says the new cameras are a strong example of how TEE aims to adopt AI-powered tools with intention and purpose. “The human side should always be central,” he says. “The cameras work well with minimal oversight and improve the human connection between students and faculty. They’re a win-win.”
Seeing Clearly: AI in the ClassroomLane Morris, associate dean of undergraduate studies and student affairs and the Fisher Professor of Innovative Learning, agrees. “This technology enhances student learning and engagement and upholds Haslam’s high standard of connection and community.”
Top: How the technology locks in on the instructor visually in order to track them as they move about the classroom. Bottom left: The technology as viewed on a remote student’s laptop, bringing that student further into the classroom, closing the distance between student and instructor. Bottom right: How recorded classes were delivered to remote students prior to the new technology.
