Rate My Professor Ryan Walker

Ryan Walker is an Educational Technologist and Audio-Visual Support Team Leader in the Centre for Educational Design and Innovation (CEDI) within the Academic Division at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. In his role, Walker focuses on advancing technological solutions to support teaching and learning environments. He led the development of an innovative AI pilot project to automate daily audio-visual checks in university teaching spaces, addressing previous inefficiencies that consumed about 25 hours of staff time each day across multiple personnel. Initiated in the Walsh G37 room, the system integrates with the Resource Booker scheduling platform and motion detectors to confirm room availability. It then activates the computer and screens, employs a moving camera to capture photos verifying display content, tests speakers and microphones, assesses lighting conditions, and scans for safety hazards such as blocked emergency exits or trailing cables. Detected issues are reported in real-time via Microsoft Teams notifications, including potential causes and diagnostics, thereby reducing human error and enabling efficient scaling.

The pilot's success prompted plans for expansion to 50 additional teaching spaces in the coming year and eventually all 150 rooms within five years, with further integration into the university's AskOtago service portal. This initiative earned Walker the Excellence in Technology Innovation award at the 2024 Tertiary Information Computer Technology Conference in Christchurch. He has openly shared the AI code online, sparking interest from other universities and positioning the University of Otago among the pioneers in applying AI for such operational enhancements. Walker's work aligns with the Pae Tata Strategic Plan to 2030, which emphasizes digital transformation to improve experiences for students and staff. Additionally, he contributed to the 2025 publication 'Virtual nature and well-being: Exploring the potential of 360° VR nature videos for enhancing well-being' in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, affiliated with IT Support Services at the University of Otago. His efforts enhance reliability, safety, and the overall quality of educational spaces.