The Learning Innovation Incubator at Vanderbilt

Join us Wednesday as the inaugural winners of the Ignite Tech Grant come show us their innovations. Grant awardees received dedicated development time from LIVE’s Research Engineer and Post-Doc who helped them turn their learning technology ideas into reality. Read the previews of the their projects below and join us Wednesday to see them in action. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Real-Time Cognitive Load Detection using Eye-Tracking in a Classroom Setting

Zachary Karas, Zihan Fang w/ Albert Na

This project demonstrated the feasibility of using eye tracking to monitor students’ cognitive load in real time during classroom learning activities. By successfully networking multiple Tobii Pro Glasses, developing supporting software for real-time analysis, and designing structured experimental materials, they established scalable protocol for larger studies. 

BloxBuddy: A Generative AI Companion for NetsBlox

Dr. Akos Ledeczi, Saman Kittani  w/ Gordon Stein

BloxBuddy is an intelligent coding assistant designed specifically for the block-based NetsBlox platform. BloxBuddy works to interpret block-based code to support students learning to program. Students can request an explanation of the current project, ask for new ideas to explore, and request assistance in finding a bug. 

GestureBlox: Using AI for Trainable Gesture Recognition for NetsBlox

Dr. Vishesh Kumar w/ Gordon Stein

This project created a tool that enables learners to train and use multimodal small ML models to recognize embodied movements. Dance and sports provide powerful use cases for revealing the computational AI that underlies gesture detection systems in popular devices such as smartwatches and dance games, giving youth greater control and flexibility over such tools.

Join the Peabody Community for an exciting, thought-provoking Learning with AI Week, designed to explore the future of education, research, and ethical engagement with artificial intelligence. Learning with AI Week is your chance to engage with cutting-edge ideas, expand your skills, and connect with others exploring the same big questions. Check out all the events on Anchor Link

Each semester LIVE compiles a list of courses from across campus that may interest students interested in learning technologies. From AI in Education to Designing Computing for Learning and more, these courses provide a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field. Explore the list of Spring 2026 course offerings on our website by clicking below.

October 29

Why is Learning Difficult in the Workplace?

Rangaraj Ramanujam (Owen School of Business)

November 5

How LIVE Horizon Grants are Powering Student Innovation

Student Horizon Grant Recipients

November 12

AI in Legal Practice & Learning

Mark Williams & Caitlin Moon (Vanderbilt Law)

Explore the full lineup of Fall 2025 events at the link below