Speaker Series: Dr. Marcelo Aaron Bonilla Worsley
Bridging Between Expansive Learning Environments and Multimodal Learning Analytics
Speaker: Dr. Marcelo Aaron Bonilla Worsley, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Education and Social Policy Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Computer Science PhD Program, Learning Sciences PhD Program, Technology and Social Behavior PhD Program, Northwestern University
Abstract
The design of innovative learning environments is one of the core practices of many learning scientists. These environments tend to combine novel technological and pedagogical tools that foster the development of new competencies and/or offer novel perspectives on well-established disciplines. However, the novelty of these tools and competencies sometimes necessitates equally novel tools for identifying and supporting student learning. In this talk, I will describe an ongoing project that sits at the intersection of sports and technology called SportSense (previously Data in Motion). The SportSense project centers on athletics as being a powerful space for learning, and computer science as a powerful tool for advancing athletic performance. I will touch on the SportSense curriculum and results from our initial studies with local elementary and middle school students to highlight how the program achieved noticeable shifts in students’ perceptions of technology. I will then transition into discussing work on Multimodal Learning Analytics (MMLA) and describe ways that we can use MMLA to both study and support student learning in non-traditional learning environments like SportSense. I will specifically talk about how MMLA tools can be designed to study and support learner interactions across various contexts, and in a way that centers the student perspective.
Bio
Marcelo Worsley is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Learning Sciences at Northwestern University. His research integrates artificial intelligence and data mining with multimodal interfaces to study and support human learning. He directs the technological innovations for inclusive learning and teaching (tiilt) lab which works with community and industry partners around the world to empower people and organizations through the design and use of novel analytic tools. Additionally, he develops pedagogical and technological solutions for supporting learning among diverse populations in hands-on environments.