Faculty and project leaders
Danielle S. McNamara, Professor, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
As director of the Science of Learning and Educational Technology (SoLET) Lab, McNamara develops educational technologies and conducts research to better understand cognitive processes of comprehension, learning, comprehension strategies, text coherence, and individual differences.She and her team have developed a number of educational technologies (e.g., iSTART, iSTART-ME, Coh-Metrix, and Writing-Pal). She is particularly interested in how the effects of such tools interact with individual differences and can be optimized for individual learners.
Contact: [email protected]
Jianmin Dai, Assistant Research Professor, Institute for the Science of Teaching and Learning, Arizona State University
Jianmin Dai received his PhD in system engineering from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China in 2006, and served as a postdoctoral fellow on the Writing Pal project with Danielle McNamara from 2008-2011. Jianmin’s primary interests are in R&D Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) and game-based education technology. His research focus is on the application of Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning in ITS and game-based education system.tools interact with individual differences and can be optimized for individual learners.
Postdoctoral research fellows
Michelle Banawan, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Michele Banawan received her PhD in computer science from the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines in 2017. Her research interests include machine learning, educational data mining/learning analytics and artificial intelligence in education.
Contact: [email protected]
Reese Butterfuss, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology,, Arizona State University
Reese Butterfuss earned his PhD in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2020. His research interests include reading comprehension and knowledge revision.
Tracy Arner, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Tracy Arner received her PhD in educational psychology from Kent State University in 2020. Her research interests include reading comprehension, instructional design, technology-enhanced instruction, game-based learning, and misconceptions.
Contact: [email protected]
Ying Fang, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Ying Fang received her PhD in experimental psychology from the University of Memphis in 2019. Her research interests include artificial intelligence in educational systems, game-based assessments, and learning analytics.
Tong Li, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Tong Li received his PhD in learning, design, and technology from the University of Georgia. His research interests include game-based learning, E-learning design, design thinking, and creativity.
Contact: [email protected]