Professor HVAC®: Bringing Instructor-Centered AI Into Technical Education
Professor HVAC® is an AI-assisted educational platform developed by James Morales to explore a new model of instructor-centered technical education.
The platform combines conversational AI, instructor guidance and hands-on technical learning to support students in the classroom, the laboratory and beyond.
Its distinctive approach allows instructors to participate in ongoing student and AI conversations, provide instructional direction and help guide the learning process.
Rather than replacing instructors, it extends their ability to support students throughout the learning process.
What the platform does today
- Conversational AI assistance for technical education
- AI support for students working through HVAC laboratory assignments
- Instructor participation in ongoing student and AI conversations
- Instructor guidance and feedback during AI-assisted learning
- Camera-assisted learning: students show equipment and components to the AI mentor
- Support for troubleshooting concepts, electrical circuits, refrigeration systems and other HVAC subjects
- Instructor-provided educational content and learning resources
- Learning assistance outside scheduled classroom hours
Development
Implementation with HVAC students at Yavapai College provides practical classroom experience that informs continued development and research.
Beyond HVAC
The long-term goal is to extend this educational model into other skilled trades, including electrical, plumbing, welding and carpentry.
Students could also have a continuing AI learning mentor throughout their programs and into apprenticeships and early employment.