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Learning Sciences and Educational Technologies

Understanding and improving how people learn using technology is at the core of human-computer interaction, learning sciences and educational technologies.

 

This interdisciplinary area builds on insights from cognitive science, psychology, education, computer science, and design to create effective educational tools and accessible learning environments. As technologies change, the learning sciences do as well. Today, educational technologies also include mixed-reality learning environments, educational games, intelligent tutoring systems, online courses, artificial intelligence (AI), learning analytics, and more.

 

Digital learning experiences can be adaptive, accommodating and responding to individual students' needs, which can lead to better engagement and improved learning outcomes. As HCII researchers continue their work, the LearnLab offers resources and support to the broader learning community, including a week-long Summer School for other educators.

 

Students who want to learn more about this HCI research area might be interested in the following courses:  

  • NoRILLA, an HCII project that uses AI to assist children in hands-on educational experiments, was selected for an exhibit at CaixaForum Valencia, a new museum in Spain.

    AI-Powered Museum Exhibit Shows Technology's Potential in Education

    NEWS

    A project from the School of Computer Science's Human-Computer Interaction Institute that uses artificial intelligence to assist children in hands-on educational experiments is one of six ...

  • Software designed by the HCII's LearnLab to improve math learning outcomes for marginalized K-12 students received a top award from the International E-Learning Association. (Photo courtesy of Remake Learning.)

    HCII Software Uses AI To Get Students To Do More Math

    NEWS

    Software designed by members of the Human-Computer Interaction Institute's (HCII) LearnLab to improve math learning outcomes for marginalized K-12 students received a top award from the In...

  • color icons representing the design of interactive training interfaces, models, and organizations

    Studying and designing for human-AI collaborative work in real-world contexts

    PROJECT

    Across a range of real-world contexts, we are studying how AI is currently being designed and used to augment or transform worker practices. Moving beyond...

  • HCII researchers have created a new genre of interactive, hands-on museum exhibits that includes an intelligent, virtual assistant to interact with visitors.

    Adding AI to Museum Exhibits Increases Learning, Keeps Kids Engaged Longer

    NEWS

    Hands-on exhibits are staples of science and children's museums around the world, and kids love them. The exhibits invite children to explore scientific concepts in fun and playful ways....

  • collage of 4 faculty: Bigham, Carrington, Ogan, Holstein

    HCII Researchers To Study Improving Algorithm, Computer Science Education as Part of CERES Network

    NEWS

    Researchers in Carnegie Mellon University's Human Computer Interaction Institute will collaborate with institutions around the world to tailor digital technologies to help children and fam...

  • students seated around the Norilla game

    New Research Shows Learning Is More Effective When Active

    NEWS

    ...

  • 3 adults and a child sit at the NoRILLA table and build towers with blocks

    Team Receives $2.3M from NSF for Intelligent Science Stations

    NEWS

    A team of Human-Computer Interaction Institute researchers composed of Systems Scientist Nesra Yannier (PI) and Professors Ken Koedinger (Co-PI) and Scott Hudson (Co-PI), has received a $2...

  • teacher's view of 3 wide rows students and desks from the front of the classroom with the Class In Sight technology overlay

    ClassInSight

    PROJECT

    While much of education research is focused on student performance, this research turns the focus to the development of the teacher....

  • Decimal Point Game

    Decimal Point: Can Having Fun Increase Learning?

    NEWS

    When it comes to learning math, how much fun you are having is rarely factored into the equation. That isn't to say that game designers have not tried to turn instruction into more engagin...

  • Connection Machines

    PROJECT

    Our Connection Machines project investigates nonverbal and verbal behaviors of two partners in a conversation setting in the context of rapport. We have c...

  • AdaptErrEx

    PROJECT

    The AdaptErrEx project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, has developed materials to support learning of decimals through erroneous examples. Th...

  • Scaffolding Science Achievement in a Culturally Diverse Classroom

    PROJECT

    In this project, we aim to address the systematically-reduced standardized test scores of African American students compared to their Euro-American peers ...