This dissertation proposes a strategy, or set of decision-making principles, for the education of adults. It explores two related questions: What is the purpose of andragogy and why does this work matter? This philosophical inquiry is situated within a broader context of the automation of knowledge work. As advances in information and…

Automatic Text Simplification (ATS) consists of computing techniques to rewrite text to make it simpler to read and understand, and prior research has explored its use to provide reading assistance to various user groups who may benefit from reading support. Prior literacy research has identified great diversity in literacy skills among DHH…

This dissertation focuses on strategies and techniques to enhance code comprehension skills among students enrolled in introductory computer science courses (CS1 and CS2). We propose a novel tutoring system, "DeepCodeTutor," designed to improve the code comprehension abilities of novices. DeepCodeTutor employs scaffolded self-explanation…

Data visualization is a powerful strategy for using graphics to represent data for effective communication and analysis. Unfortunately, creating effective data visualizations is a challenge for both novice and expert design users. The task often involves an iterative process of trial and error, which by its nature, is time-consuming. Designers…

Modern Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and open-source software (OSS) have revolutionized our ability to access and process data, enabling us to tackle increasingly complex problems and challenges. While these technologies provide substantial benefits, they often expose users to vulnerabilities that can severely damage individuals and…

With the growth of digital media, learners are presented with multiple options to choose from when looking for resources to learn from. Learning that happens during searching for items to learn from is called Search-as-Learning (SaL). Recommender Systems (RS) can aid in SaL by reducing information overload and providing item suggestions. An…

Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. Based on Embodied Cognition theory, physical activities are an important manifestation of cognitive functions. As a result, they can be employed to both assess and train cognitive skills. In order to assess various cognitive measures,…

Higher education institutions adopt conversational agents, or chatbots, to perform and automate certain business functions. While chatbots exist to support Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, and other departments within an institution, Institutional Research lacks options. Institutional Research supports higher education institutions by providing…

Student enrollment in online courses has nearly tripled over the last decade, with 72% of college students participating in at least one online course. There are many advantages to online education such as increased classroom diversity, the reduction of geographical limitations, and overall convenience. However, studies have shown students…

According to cognitive psychologists, consistent practice (i.e., tasks with a high degree of similarity) of a skill leads to the development of automaticity, with the degree of automatization being increased if the practice also involves exact repetition. Practice is skill specific, meaning that practicing one skill does not automatize related…

Automated corrective feedback (ACF), in which a computer system helps language learners identify and correct errors in their writing or speech, is considered an important tool for language instruction by many researchers. Such systems allow learners to correct their own mistakes, thereby reducing teacher workload and potentially preventing issues…

The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) has been widely studied. However, very little research can be found that includes driver considerations. Many professional trades, such as plumbers, electricians, or concrete cutters, carry specialized certifications. Unlike traditional VRP, where the driver is excluded from all considerations, not every driver…

This exploratory case study examined how and if career counselors learned about the impact of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) on occupations, including which actions, activities, and conditions helped or hindered their learning, and what impact this learning had on their professional practice. The data included questionnaires and…

DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification) is a formalism that was introduced in the mid-1970s by Bernard Zeigler, for modeling and analysis of discrete event systems. DEVS is essentially a formal mathematical language for specifying complex systems through models that can be simulated and has been executed in object-oriented software, DEVSJava…

The purpose of this study was to better understand how students use instantaneous automatic online feedback in introductory level tertiary mathematics courses and what factors may influence their use. This study delved into two factors such as a student's mathematical attitude and their self-determination and explores the relationship between the…