Faculty Profiles
Research in my lab seeks to develop educational technologies that are as compelling and engaging as the very best social media apps, video games or movies. Like our most dedicated educators, I would like our technology to captivate learners, young and old, and help cultivate attitudes towards learning and growth that are compatible with the demands of the modern world. In pursuit of these goals, I conduct research on the design, use, and impacts of intelligent technologies for learning and behavior change. This work involves blending techniques from the entertainment industry (that foster engagement) with those from artificial intelligence and intelligent tutoring systems (that promote learning), as well as running studies to better understand whether and how the resulting learning experiences impact learners.
Associate Professor Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2015 - present
Affiliate Faculty Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2015 - present
Director for Learning Sciences Research Institute for Creative Technologies, University of Southern California, 2013 - 2015
Research Assistant Professor Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, 2013 - 2015
Research Scientist Institute for Creative Technologies, University of Southern California, 2004 - 2015
Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2004
M.S., Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997
B.S., Mathematics & Computer Science, Truman State University, 1995
Research in my lab explores the application of AI and entertainment technologies to improve learning experiences with technology. This work primarily involves informal learning and investigation of the relationship between cognitive, affective, and motivational variables relevant to learning.
Committee Member IEEE ICICLE Design for Learning SIG, 2018 - present
Steering Committee APA/ACM/AAAI Technology, Mind, and Society Conference, 2016 - 2018
Special Issue Editor, AIED: The Next 25 Years International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 2016 - 2017
Grant Proposal Reviewer European Commission, 2011 - 2017
Associate Editor IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 2014 - present
Grant Proposal Reviewer Department of Education, 2013 - present
Program Co-Chair International Conference for Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), 2013 - 2013
Program Co-Chair Florida Artificial Intelligence Society, 2008 - 2009
Grant Proposal Reviewer National Science Foundation, 2006 - present
I teach graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses on educational technologies, AI, informal learning, and design. My courses blend psychological and educational theories with emerging technological developments, and seek to help students adopt an interdisciplinary stance on educational technology.
Learning in Everyday Contexts Foundational theories and practices of educational psychology, including learning and development. 2 or 3 undergraduate hours. 2 or 4 graduate hours. Approved for letter and S/U grading. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Undergraduate and graduate work load will be commensurate with the requirements.
Cog Science of Teaching & Lear Seminar in educational psychology; topics relate to the areas of specialization represented by the various divisions within the department. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.
CSTL Division Brownbag Seminar in educational psychology; topics relate to the areas of specialization represented by the various divisions within the department. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.
Engaging and interactive educ Seminar in educational psychology; topics relate to the areas of specialization represented by the various divisions within the department. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.
Mobile Apps for Teaching Seminar in educational psychology; topics relate to the areas of specialization represented by the various divisions within the department. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.
Associate Professor (CSTL Division Chair), Educational Psychology
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