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Can a VR headset and two smart prompts rekindle student belonging in a single class period?
Dr. Norma Jones sits down with Dr. Garrick Grace—Director of Professional Development for the California Virtual Campus—to reveal how extended-reality simulations and adaptive AI tools are reshaping classrooms across the nation’s largest community-college system. Grace recounts using grade-leveled articles to let refugee teens debate NBA stats on day one, then shows how that same “everyone participates” mindset now powers XR chemistry labs and a statewide course-sharing network that wipes out wait-lists. The result: higher engagement, deeper belonging, and faculty who see tech as a workload saver—never a wedge.
Take-aways
• Immersive ladder: live demo → XR scenario → guided reflection for rapid skill transfer
• Belonging boosters: AI-leveled pop-culture content for multilingual or refugee cohorts
• Mind-shift PD: light-bulb workshops that ripple from one instructor to 60 000 colleagues
• Budget guardrails: merge AI with XR without draining dollars or staff bandwidth
Profile: Dr. Garrick Grace
Dr. Grace has been in education for sixteen years serving in a variety of positions. Starting as a high school social studies teacher, Garrick saw first-hand how educational technology can impact the teaching and learning process. Garrick changed paths and began supporting K-12 districts with technology integration, helping students and faculty integrate educational technology in all subject areas. After ten years at the K-12 level, Garrick shifted to higher education as an instructional designer, then Dean of Innovation at Merced College. Currently, Garrick serves as the Director of Professional Development for the California Virtual Campus, ensuring faculty, staff, and administrators within the California Community College system have access to quality training and resources to support their professional development needs. Garrick is passionate about Universal Design for Learning, mixed reality, and accessibility to support all learners.