Dr. Muhsinah Morris: AI-Powered Teaching Assistants and Morehouse Metaversity

The future of education is taking shape at Morehouse College, where Dr. Muhsinah Morris is leading innovative initiatives that combine virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and immersive learning. Through Morehouse’s "metaversity," a term coined by Dr. Morris and her colleagues, the college is reshaping how students engage with educational content and experience the classroom. 

In the latest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, host Hayley Spria-Bauer delves into the metaverse and its uses in postsecondary education with Dr. Muhsinah Morris, Founder and CEO of Metaverse United, LLC and the Metaversity Director and Senior Assistant Professor at Morehouse College.

What a Metaversity Is

Morehouse College holds a unique place in higher education as a pioneer of the "metaversity" concept. As Dr. Morris explains, the college not only introduced the term but also laid the foundation for over 120 other institutions to create their own digital twins—virtual representations of their campuses. 

Powered by the platform Victory XR, these digital campuses allow students to attend full-fledged college courses using virtual reality (VR) technology. Students can engage in immersive experiences that go beyond traditional education, fostering collaboration and belonging in virtual spaces that feel as real as their physical counterparts.

Students at Morehouse are able to bring more than just their physical presence to class—they bring their avatars too. As Dr. Morris describes it, students aren’t fully present until both their physical selves and their avatars are in the metaverse, creating an immersive, interactive environment that enhances learning. This method allows students to experience lessons in entirely new ways, whether that’s journeying through historical events or exploring future possibilities.

Learning in the Metaverse

The metaversity at Morehouse is more than just a digital playground; it’s a tool for deeper, more effective learning. Students engage multiple senses—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—simultaneously, making abstract concepts more concrete. According to Dr. Morris, this kind of immersive learning allows students to experience lessons in real-time 3D environments, fostering a sense of presence and engagement that is difficult to replicate in traditional settings. The technology blurs the line between the physical and virtual worlds, and for students, these experiences register as real-life memories.

More importantly, the metaversity provides students with access to tools that will prepare them for the future of work. Fields like architecture, engineering, and even medicine are integrating VR and augmented reality (AR) into their practices, and Morehouse students have the opportunity to gain early exposure to these technologies. This positions them at the forefront of their fields, equipped with the skills to thrive in technology-driven industries.

AI-Powered Teaching Assistants

Building on the success of the Metaversity, Morehouse is now rolling out AI-powered teaching assistants as part of its program. These AI tools offer students personalized, 24/7 learning support, providing guidance and feedback beyond the classroom. By integrating AI into the metaverse, students can review lessons, receive formative assessments, and ask queries that are answered using resources provided by their instructors. This system, which taps into the capabilities of large language models like OpenAI’s, ensures that students stay on track with their learning goals and receive targeted assistance when needed.

Dr. Morris highlights the potential of AI-powered teaching assistants for all learners, especially those with unique needs. Inspired by her own experience as a mother of five, including two sons with autism, she envisions a future where AI can support neurodivergent students in their educational journeys. Her goal is to create a forever school for the neurodivergent, where inclusivity and technological solutions work hand-in-hand. This vision aligns with the broader mission of making education more accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

Equity and Access in the Digital Age 

For Dr. Morris, access is about more than just bridging the digital divide; it’s about ensuring that everyone can use the tools at their disposal effectively. This means making education accessible to all people, including those with disabilities and neurodivergent learners. Dr. Morris opened up about her own personal struggles with fibromyalgia, an invisible disability she’s had since 2002. As she shared during her conversation with Hayley, she navigated the creation of the metaverse while facing physical challenges. Despite her condition, she was able to make monumental strides in educational technology, an achievement she attributes to her perseverance and technological support.

“I traversed the entire world creating this metaverse with one arm,” Dr. Morris recounted, referencing the time when she underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery. Her experiences underscore the need for inclusive tools that cater to students with diverse needs, as she recognizes firsthand how technology can serve as an equalizer for individuals facing physical or cognitive challenges.

Challenges in AI Integration in Education

Despite the promise of AI and immersive learning environments, Dr. Morris acknowledges the challenges posed by these technologies. In her discussion with Hayley, she pointed out concerns about distinguishing between what is real and what is AI-generated. With the rise of deepfakes, voice cloning, and other deceptive uses of AI, ensuring discernment and maintaining ethical standards is crucial.

“For me, it's discernment from what is real and what is fake,” Dr. Morris emphasized. “How can we discern when AI technology has been used, and when it hasn’t, without it being a scarlet letter?”

Her advice? Be informed. Instead of falling prey to fear, she encourages educators, students, and the public to conduct thorough research, starting with accessible short-form content and gradually moving to more in-depth materials. She points out that human intelligence, after all, created artificial intelligence, and we must trust in humanity to harness this technology for good.

The Future of AI and Student Engagement 

As Dr. Morris eloquently put it, AI offers unparalleled opportunities for student engagement, particularly for those who may be hesitant to ask questions in traditional classroom settings. Through AI-powered teaching assistants, students now have 24/7 access to resources and support, allowing them to ask questions and seek clarification whenever they need it—even in the middle of the night. This accessibility helps bridge the gaps in learning and fosters a culture of inquiry, where students become more confident in seeking answers and expanding their knowledge base.

“We used to have something called the homework helpline, but now we have an opportunity for AI-powered teaching assistants that have the entire script of everything the teacher talked about,” Dr. Morris explained. This availability allows for continuous learning and helps students develop the art of asking questions, a critical skill in gaining deeper insights and understanding.

Next Steps for Educators 

Dr. Morris's final piece of advice for educators entering the post-secondary space this school year is to embrace technology and "create your own AI teaching assistant." By experimenting with platforms like Victory XR, educators can take their lessons to the next level, making learning more efficient and engaging for students.

Ultimately, she reminds educators of the importance of joy and human connection in the learning process. “All our students want to know is that we enjoy being with them and that they are being seen,” she said, highlighting the human aspect that AI and immersive learning can enhance rather than replace.