MET Faculty Recognized for Research’s Significant Contributions to BU-wide Innovation
Boston University has published its Shipley Center Historical Impact Report, a 10-year retrospective on the efficacy of digital learning initiatives across the University. In her introduction, Romy Ruukel, the executive director ad interim of BU Digital Learning & Innovation, writes that the report “highlights the significant milestones we have achieved, the challenges we have navigated, and the invaluable lessons we have learned.”
Metropolitan College played a substantial role in those achievements and lessons across the decade through the leadership of its faculty research, which is reflected in BU MET’s inclusion in the report.
Most recently, Associate Professor Reza Rawassizadeh spearheaded an endeavor designed to make powerful AI tools more accessible to more individuals. Funded by an Accelerating Classroom Transformation (ACT) grant, Democratizing Generative AI Models is Dr. Rawassizadeh’s effort to decentralize the power of generative artificial intelligence by compressing and refining models so that they can be used by small- and medium-sized enterprises—including universities—and even individuals.
Generative AI modeling is a field explosive with growth potential, bringing with it ample career opportunities and avenues for innovation. Applications include large-language models, self-driving vehicles, drug discovery, medical image diagnoses, and manufacturing. However, given the requisite overhead, this technology is predominantly developed and owned by large corporations.
In courses like Advanced Machine Learning and Neural Networks (MET CS 767), Generative AI (MET CS 788), and Special Topics in Computer Science (MET CS 793), Rawassizadeh utilizes a desktop machine funded by ACT that features two graphics processing units (GPUs) to handle the extensive data processing required for AI models. This setup allows numerous students to experiment with the technology and algorithms, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in AI and machine learning.
The Knowledge Assembly for Learning and Assessment project, known as “Knowla,” is an initiative in the field of active learning. Led by Associate Professor Eric Braude along with Professor of the Practice Emeritus Jay Halfond, Meridith Thompson, and Matt Parfitt, this project focuses on evaluating students’ outcomes in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The objective is to measure their knowledge in a way that is accurate, reliable, easy to administer, and can be automatically scored. The team’s research not only indicates that the Knowla system is successful but that it can be used as a learning tool in its own right.
Through opportunities like ACT grants, pilot project funding, and the Future of Learning: AI Grant (FLAG) initiative, the Shipley Center provides BU faculty and staff with the opportunity to engage and stay at the forefront of educational leadership.
Explore the Shipley Center Historical Impact Report.