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Learning Sciences and 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:  

  • a rabbit and a turtle are the icons often referenced when representing fast versus slow; here a real rabbit and real turtle are facing each other

    The Myth of the Fast Learner

    NEWS

    Learning science experts from Carnegie Mellon University's Human Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) wanted to know why some students learn faster than others. They hoped to identify fas...

  • A team of HCII researchers will use a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to develop and test a smartphone-based tutoring system for middle school mathematics that's rooted in AI.

    HCII Researchers Awarded $2M Grant To Test AI-Based Mobile Tutoring Software

    NEWS

    Homework can be extra difficult for middle school students facing limited access to technology, lack of parental support or other factors that could hinder their learning....

  • Bier and Stamper stand side by side on the steps outside of the Mellon Institute building

    CMU Team Advances to Final Round of $1M XPRIZE Competition

    NEWS

    Digital Learning Challenge seeks to improve learning outcomes with effective tools Carnegie Mellon University learning science researchers John Stamper, Norman Bier and Steven Moore are...

  • an empty classroom with a bright beam of light coming in from the windows on the left side of the room

    The Future of Classroom Experimentation

    NEWS

    With access to some of the best digital tools and learning systems ever seen, it's a wonder that there is currently no easy way for teachers to conduct experiments to see what is working b...

  • two students complete a lesson while listening to the radio

    CMU Experts Help Reach Learners in Uganda

    NEWS

    Financial constraints and physical distance from schools kept more than 75% of school-aged learners in Uganda out of the classroom, even before the COVID-19 crisis. By 2021, the pandemic w...

  • 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...