Hands-On Learning at Taejae: Developing AI Feedback Systems to Improve Online Classes

By Harren Kim
Taejae University Student Ambassador 

At Taejae University, learning isn’t just about lectures. Many of our classes blend academic theory with practical projects, giving us the chance to apply what we learn in real-world situations. One standout example is our Design of AI and Data-driven Services class, where students work in groups to create AI-driven solutions for real-world challenges. This hands-on approach has allowed us to turn theory into practice, developing tools that could make a real impact.

In my group, we decided to tackle a problem that’s all too familiar to students: the lack of timely, actionable feedback during and after online classes. Like many others, we’ve found it frustrating to not know which areas need more attention until it’s too late. So, we’re developing an AI-based system that integrates with Engageli, the online learning platform. Our system allows students to give live feedback during lectures through simple emoji reactions—like “Interesting” or “Confused.” These reactions are recorded with timestamps, and the AI analyzes the transcript to pinpoint which topics were engaging or difficult. After the lecture, students get personalized reports on what they should review and what they might want to dive deeper into. Professors also receive tailored feedback that help them refine their future lessons, with insights specific to their needs, such as identifying areas where more students struggled. In this way, our system benefits both students and professors in meaningful ways.



The journey to build this system has been incredibly valuable. After forming our group, we identified the problem, developed a proposal, and presented it to the class. With feedback from our professors, we’ve now moved into the development phase, focusing on user research to ensure our system meets the needs of both students and teachers. We’ve been working with tools like GPT-4, Figma for prototyping, and database systems to make sure everything runs smoothly and is user-friendly.

This project has given me many valuable takeaways. It has allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical way, helping me to deepen my understanding of AI and data systems. Working closely with my team has also been a great way to develop collaboration and problem-solving skills, both of which are crucial for real-world applications. But what makes this experience even more meaningful is how connected the project is to our own lives as students, keeping us motivated every step of the way. Personally, it’s been fascinating to see how AI can improve processes like classroom feedback. Watching our project evolve from an idea into a real, functioning system has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward with my team.

What makes this experience even more interesting is seeing the diverse projects being developed by other groups in the class. For example, one team is working on a chatbot to help students choose their majors—a decision many of us find daunting. Each group has identified problems that we actually face in our daily lives and is building AI-driven solutions to solve them. It’s amazing to see how AI and data can directly impact our everyday challenges, making the work we’re doing not only relevant but also incredibly engaging.

Our AI-based feedback system is just one example of the innovative projects coming out of the Design of AI and Data-driven Services class. The chance to work on projects like this, blending theory with hands-on application, has not only deepened my understanding of AI but also shown me the potential it has to solve real-world problems that we all face as students.