Applied Gen AI Educational Research Lab
Welcome to the Applied GenAI Educational Research Lab. Generative AI is not just a new tool; it's a new reality. It is actively reshaping how we learn, teach, and create. Our lab serves as a vital hub for educators in both K-12 and higher education who want to move beyond reacting and start leading. We are dedicated to conducting the applied reseaqrch and fostering the instructional innobations needed to harness this technology responsibly, effectively, and ethically. Join us as we build the future of education.
Vision
To establish Wichita State University as a regional leader and nationally recognized center of excellence in the field of applied Generative AI educational research.
Our Mission
The Applied GenAI Educational Research Lab serves as a hub for innovative research and the practical application of Generative AI in education. Our core mission is threefold:
- To conduct and disseminate applied research on GenAI-related teaching, learning, and assessment, translating findings into practical guidance for the classroom.
- To foster interdisciplinary collaboration among WSU faculty, local school districts, and external partners to support ethical and equitable GenAI adoption.
- To provide professional development opportunities for local teachers, including workshops and stackable micro-credentials, that prepare them to integrate AI tools responsibly and effectively.
Our Team
Oru lab brings together experts, partners, and amerging scholars dedicated to educational innovation.
- Director
- JaeHwan Byun, Ph.D., School of Education
- Faculty Fellows
- Mara Alagic, Ph.D., School of Education
- Our lab is actively looking for WSU faculty members from across disciplines who are interested in conducting research related to GenAI in educational settings. If you are interested in joining in the lab, please contact Dr. Byun at jaehwan.byun@wichita.edu.
- Graduate Student Fellows
- We provide opportunities for graduate students, especially from the M.Ed. in Learning and Instructional Design (LID) program, to serve as research assistants and gain hands-on experience.
- Advisory Board
- An advisory board of key leaders from the College of Applied Studies and Wichita-area public school districts provides strategic guidance for our programming and partnerships.
Research Projects
Ongoing Projects
- Generative AI in the K-12 Classroom: A Mixed-Methods Study of Teacher Adoption and Needs, University Research/Creative Projects Award (URCA), Wichita State University,
Publications and Presentations
The work of this lab is built on a foundation of rigorous academic inquiry. This section showcases research contributions from our director and affiliated fellows—including publications, presentations, and projects—on topics related to GenAI in educational contexts..
- Joung, E. & Byun, J. (Under Review). The use of AI in K-12 Mathematics Education: A meta-analysis.
- Byun, J. & Alagic, M. (in print) Generative Artificial Intelligence as a Transformative Catalyst for a Learning Paradigm Shift.
- Lee, K. & Byun, J. (accepted) Broadening Participation through NASA Spectroscopy and Generative AI: Middle-School Teacher Perceptions of Student Outcomes, will be presented at the 2026 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) annual conference.
- Joung, E. & Byun, J. (accepted) Rethinking Research Priorities in GenAI Mathematics Education Through Systematic Review Analysis, will be presented at the 2026 American Educational Researchers Association (AERA) annual meeting.
- Li, J., Mullins, P. & Byun, J. (accepted). Simulating the Couch: Using AI for Client Role-Playing in Student Training, will be presented at the 2026 American Counseling Association annual meeting.
- Alagic, M. & Byun, J. (2025). Transformative Learning in the Age of Generative AI: Educators' Perspectives on a Paradigm Shift, In Proceeding of The Learning Ideas Conference 2025, New York, NY.
- Byun, J., & Alagic, M. (2025). AI as Design Material: Crafting New Learning Paradigms. presented at The Annual Summer Institute on Distance Learning and Instructional Technology (SIDLIT), Wichita, KS.
- Alagic, M. & Byun, J. (2025). Transformative Learning in the Age of Generative AI: Educators' Perspectives on a Paradigm Shift, presented at The Learning Ideas Conference 2025, New York, NY.
- Byun, J. & Alagic, M. (2024). Generative AI in Education: A Transformative Learning Perspective on Educators' Adoption and Adaptation, presented at the Online Educa Berlin 2024. Nov. 2024. Berlin, Germany
- Byun, J. & Alagic, M. (2024). Equipping Educators for the AI Revolution: Challenges and Approaches. presented at 2024 Institute of Creative Human Resource Development (ICHRD) Global Convergence Conference: Key issues of education in the era of sharing and coexistence. Jan. 2024. Dankuk Universitry, Seoul, Korea
News and Events
Check here for the latest updates on our research, upcoming workshops, new partnerships, and publications from the Applied GenAI Educational Research Lab.
- October 2025: The Applied GenAI Educational Research Lab is officially launched.
- (Upcoming)
Get Involved
Partnerships
We are actively seeking to build formal partnerships with local school districts, industry collaborators, and external scholars. If your organization is interested in collaborating on research or professional development, please contact us.
If you are interested in becoming a Faculty Fellow, School District Partner, Industry Collaborators, or Graduate Research Assistants, please email Dr. Byun. jaehwan.byun@wichita.edu
School of Education