Independent study opportunities
Click on a project to learn more about it. For more information, feel free to contact me.Lowering the threshold for collaborative, browser-based authoring of intelligent tutoring software
Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) are very effective in helping students learn. How can we make them super easy to create? The CTAT authoring tools support non-programmers in creating ITSs. In recent years, we have created a browser-based version of the authoring tools. We are looking for students who can help us extend the browser-based version of CTAT, so it supports collaborative authoring and to lower the threshold with template-based authoring.
Skills or requirements:
- Programming experience.
- Experience with HTML and JavaScript is desirable, but not a strict requirement.
- Experience with Vue.js is desirable, but not a strict requirement.
Data Analysis: Classroom evaluation of a gamified tutoring system for middle school equation solving
Our tutoring software for equation solving (Lynnette) has been very effective in helping middle school students learn in over a dozen classroom studies, but middle-school students prefer that it be more engaging. We therefore created a gamified version with a space theme, achievements, and playful interactions. This past spring, we carried out a classroom study with 120+ students to test whether the gamification leads to greater engagement and learning. We are looking for a student with a background in statistics (could be, but does not have to be a Stats/ML major) who can help us analyze the data.
Skills or requirements:
- Coursework in statistics.
- Foundational knowledge of ANOVA or linear modeling.
- Experience with analyzing real data sets is desirable but not strictly required.
Data Analysis: Comparing the effectiveness of an intelligent tutoring system for middle school math against Khan Academy
Our tutoring software for equation solving (Lynnette) has been very effective in helping middle school students learn in over a dozen classroom studies. It would be interesting to know how it compares to widely used sofwtare such as Khan Academy. This past spring, we carried out a classroom study with 80+ students to test which of these two system helps students learn better. We are looking for a student with a background in statistics (could be, but does not have to be a Stats/ML major) who can help us analyze the data.
Skills or requirements:
- Coursework in statistics.
- Foundational knowledge of ANOVA or linear modeling.
- Experience with analyzing real data sets is desirable but not strictly required.
Mathtutor tutor conversion to HTML
Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) are online learn-by-doing activities with step-by-step guidance (feedback and hints); they are like a coach helping students with problem-solving practice. These systems have proven very effective in helping students learn and have been commercially successful. Many years ago, we developed a set of tutors that cover all of middle-school math. We used the software tools we had then, but to make sure the tutors can continue to work on the web, we need to translate them to HTML and JavaScript. We have made great progress, but we have more to do. We are looking for a student who can reimplement tutors using our CTAT authoring tools.
Skills or requirements:
- Programming experience with HTML and JavaScript.