August 12, 2023 Noon Eastern
Danielle McNamara, Scotty Craig, and Rod Roscoe join the SLL Team to discuss the emerging field of learning engineering—and discuss innovative methodologies to optimize educational experiences and leverage technology for improved learning outcomes.
Learning engineering is an emerging field that integrates educational psychology, data science, and technology to design, implement, and assess effective learning experiences. Through data-driven insights, learning engineers bridge the gap between educational research and practical application, devising personalized and adaptive learning environments tailored to individual learner needs.
The newly instituted Learning Engineering Institute at Arizona State University will bring together multidisciplinary experts, encompassing cognitive science, computer science, and instructional design, to collaboratively undertake cutting-edge research and development. By harnessing the potential of learning analytics and artificial intelligence, guided by evidence-based understanding of learning and learners, the institute aims to revolutionize education, fostering accessibility, effectiveness, and customized learning experiences for all. Through this initiative, ASU empowers learners and educators to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape of learning technologies and pedagogical approaches.
More about our guests below the video
Our guests
Danielle S. McNamara
https://search.asu.edu/profile/1805468
Danielle S. McNamara is the Executive Director of the newly formed ASU Learning Engineering Institute, Director of the Science of Learning and Educational Technology (SoLET) Lab, and a Professor in the Department of Psychology. She is an international expert in the fields of cognitive and learning sciences, comprehension, writing, natural language processing (NLP), intelligent tutoring, and artificial intelligence in education. She and her team have developed several intelligent tutoring systems, including iSTART and Writing Pal, for comprehension and writing instruction and practice. Research on these technologies have explored methods for improving student engagement via game-based practice, enhanced adaptability functions, and assessed the feasibility and usability of these systems in real world settings such as high school classrooms. Dr. McNamara has also led the development and testing of multiple NLP tools that have been used in various contexts and learning environments involving essay writing, reading comprehension, second language learning, and creativity. Such tools allow for quick, efficient, and reliable analyses of large text corpora, which is particularly relevant and valuable when analyzing big data. She is an APS, AERA, and ST&D fellow, Founding Editor of APA Technology, Mind, & Behavior, and served as associate editor for the Cognitive Science Journal, Journal of Educational Psychology, Learning & Instruction, International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, and founding AE of Topics in Cognitive Science.
Scotty Craig:
https://search.asu.edu/profile/1978855
Scotty D. Craig is the Director of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at the ASU Learning Engineering Institute and is an associate professor of human systems engineering within The Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Dr. Craig is a learning engineer with expertise in cognitive science, design science, and the science of learning (specifically learning technology). He has contributions at the intersection of psychology, education, and technology within the areas of multimedia learning, virtual environments, distributed learning as well as development and evaluation of learning technology within laboratory and applied settings. Dr. Craig is currently the Graduate Chair for the Human Systems Engineering Program and the University Senate Past President of the Polytechnic Campus.
Rod Roscoe
https://search.asu.edu/profile/1809961
Rod D. Roscoe is the Director of Inclusion for the ASU Learning Engineering Institute and he is an associate professor of human systems engineering in the Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and was a Diane and Gary Tooker Professor of Effective Education in STEM. He is affiliate faculty of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and a member of the Center for Human, Artificial Intelligence, and Robot Teaming (CHART). His research investigates how the intersection of learning science, computer science, user science, and equity science can inform effective and innovative educational technologies. He is also interested in how cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational learning processes can be scaffolded by educational technology. Recent work has explored inclusive language analytics and emphasizing inclusive approaches to assessment and AI in education
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