By Erin McDannald

Generation Z鈥攖hose born roughly between 1996 and 2010鈥攃ame of age in an entirely digital world, which has had profound implications for the role of technology in their classrooms. Their teachers embraced the same devices that Millennials went to detention for using, creating lesson plans that utilized the tools Gen-Z students are most familiar with. Expectations for tech-enabled education have driven similar changes at the university level. As Generation Alpha follows quickly behind them, those expectations are increasing exponentially.

Gen Alpha’s unprecedented access to information online and climbing standards for connectivity have transformed the demands for modern-day education spaces. The “smart campus” is emerging as a model for leveraging the power and ubiquity of technology to improve the student experience, enhance the quality of education, and increase operational and administrative efficiency. By equipping education environments with smart facilities management systems and harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) integration, the future of learning is here.

AI in the Classroom

The smart campus is adaptive by design, equipped to support different learning styles and instruction methodologies simultaneously. A powerful, reliable, and secure data infrastructure forms the campus’ backbone, allowing each student, teacher, and classroom to seamlessly connect to interactive educational software, digital textbooks and online testing platforms. AI works in the background to adapt material to match the pace and preference of each student at scale, creating a more inclusive and tailored classroom experience. Teachers can leverage this data to identify key knowledge gaps and structure dedicated lessons for sustained classwide success.

A healthy, underlying environment is essential to this ecosystem. Studies have shown that , can all impact cognitive performance. Clean air is also critical for supporting developing and vulnerable immune systems. Sensors鈥攚hich can range in size from that of a penny to a small, household thermostat鈥攎onitor classroom conditions and send signals to the larger campus MEP control system when values fall outside optimal levels.

Group-based activities and classwide discussions can increase the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air, which should remain below 1,000 parts per million (ppm) according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (). have measured as high as 4,000 ppm in classrooms around the world鈥攎aking this technology even more critical for maintaining a non-toxic learning environment. Simultaneously, ongoing exposure to bright-white screens and overhead lighting can lead to eye strain and fatigue.

Automation tools trigger real-time adjustments to ensure that the classroom is continuously fine-tuned to student and teacher wellbeing and focus. Further, these metrics can be fed to wall-mounted dashboards, allowing students, teachers and even parents to see the system at work.

In addition to supporting academic performance, AI enables the campus system to learn from classroom data鈥攕uch as when students change classes or when they’re out at recess鈥攖o optimize how energy is produced, used, and stored to support sustainability and efficiency while reducing costs. By reading changes in sensor data, the system determines where power can be saved based on real-time occupancy to strike a balance between comfort and efficiency.

At the higher education level, the energy savings can be even greater, because classroom use is often less predictable than a K-12 bell schedule. By removing the guesswork of aggregated modeling and leveraging machine learning to automate best practices, administrators can recapture the funds once spent on unnecessary resource usage and redirect those savings into other campus programs.

Beyond the Classroom

Smart technology infrastructure and seamless connectivity are equally important outside the classroom to extend the benefits of automated facilities management tools for greater campus safety and efficiency.

Security is paramount in both K-12 and higher education environments, and an AI-supported detection and response program can be a critical differentiating factor in emergencies. Smart cameras can analyze and flag behaviors that may indicate potential risk鈥攕uch as someone lingering in an unusual area or wielding a weapon鈥攑rompting security personnel in real-time to assess the situation. Sensors can be used to detect sounds like gunshots or breaking glass anywhere on campus, alerting teachers and administrators as well as older students via text message to avoid the area until it’s been investigated. AI can also automate these systems to dial 9-1-1 and dispatch nearby officers to campus for back-up.

When integrated with university campus maps and smartphone apps, traffic management technology can also make it easier for new students to navigate to class and find available parking.

Erin McDannald is the chief executive officer of and its sister companies and , has been a dynamic force in lighting design and construction for over two decades, championing growth, innovation, and enhancement of the human experience at every step.

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Atlanta-based Collins Cooper Carusi Architects is serving as the architect on the project. Also based in Atlanta, Winter Construction is the project’s builder, and is now back on track for a summer opening after weather issues delayed the project this past fall and into winter.

“To see the last beam placed on Mashburn Hall was a great way to kick off the New Year. Winter Construction worked tirelessly to get the project back on schedule despite the weather challenges we faced,” said Jimmy Scott, portfolio director of the USG project for Corvias Campus Living, in a statement. “Additionally, working with Dalton State College has been a particularly special experience for the Corvias team, because they embrace every sense of the word ‘partnership.’ We can’t wait to unveil Mashburn Hall this summer alongside our partners and provide Dalton State a new residence hall right in the heart of their campus.”

“Dalton State College is excited to see the new residence hall take shape despite the challenges brought by Mother Nature this past fall,” added Natalie Bates, Dalton State College housing director, in a statement. “Corvias Campus Living and Winter Construction are both solution-based partners that have made all the difference as we prepare for a successful opening of Mashburn Hall.”

Mashburn Hall will be a four-story, 86,000-square-foot facility with wood framing and a suite-style layout for 365 beds. The residence complex will consist of one-, two-, and four-bedroom semi-suites; laundry areas; common spaces; game rooms; kitchen areas; and an outdoor entertainment space with a fire pit and covered verandah. Any student can read about manufacturers. The building is U-shaped with a large green space to encourage outdoor activity and interaction, according to Carlos Torres, project executive, Multifamily and Student Housing for Winter Construction. The facility’s location on the northern corner of campus also gives it close proximity to classroom buildings and other college facilities.

“As Dalton State College grows, the main goal is to bring more student housing on campus,” Torres said. “With Mashburn Hall, and the P3 Partnership among Dalton State, the Georgia Board of Regents and Corvias, the college is in the process of developing its capacity to provide up-to-date housing to meet increased demand.”

The new Mashburn Hall meets the green building requirements of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission and the Georgia Board of Regents, Torres added. “As an experienced LEED general contractor, Winter Construction works with our partners to ensure sustainable building practices,” he said. “For Mashburn Hall specifically, we worked with local subcontractors and suppliers to minimize the impact of transportation costs and ensure environmental best practices.”

The building was named for the late John Willis Mashburn, who established The John Willis Mashburn Charitable Trust to advance endeavors that boost higher education and economic development, according to the university website.

“The Mashburn Trust has invested significant resources in Dalton State and the greater Dalton community,” said Dr. Margaret Venable, interim president of the Dalton State College, in a statement. “The naming of our first residence hall honors the commitment of this esteemed family to our institution and our students. We are honored to be entrusted with such generous support.”

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