On August 6, 2024, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Purdue Polytechnic’s research team led by principal investigator Jin Wei-Kocsis $900,000 for an estimated three-year project: “Enabling Next-Generation HyFlex Field Laboratories through an Innovative Learner-In-The-Loop Multi-Robot System.”
Wei-Kocsis, an associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Technology (CIT), will lead the project as its principal investigator alongside co-principal investigators Paul Asunda, Jiansong Zhang, Byung-Cheol Min and Dongming Gan, with senior personnel Ragu Athinarayanan. The project aims to “study the effectiveness of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies” in supporting inclusive, scalable, and effective collaborative problem-solving (CPS) skill development in STEM education.
Starting September 1, 2024, the project will develop knowledge on emerging Generative AI-enabled, robot-mediated pedagogical technology called LILMR, or Learner-In-the-Loop Multi-Robot system, for supporting scalable engagements of remote learners in innovative HyFlex field-based lab environments, facilitating effective development of CPS skills within a shared authentic experiential learning space with residential students.
Three research questions will drive the project:
- What technological affordances are essential for effectively supporting the development of CPS skills in a HyFlex field-based lab environment for both remote and residential learners?
- What technological, pedagogical, and logistical supports are needed to foster an engaging HyFlex field-based lab environment and promote the development of CPS skills?
- How can the impact of emerging learning technologies on supporting the development of CPS skills for both remote and residential students in HyFlex field-based lab environments be assessed?
The success of this project will significantly contribute to the pressing need to promote diversity and inclusion and broaden participation in developing CPS skills. This project will also significantly advance understanding of innovative technology-enabled solutions that effectively promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in STEM education.
This project is funded by the Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL) program, which “supports early-stage exploratory research in emerging technologies for teaching and learning.”
“It is a great honor for our team to receive the NSF award,” Wei-Kocsis said. “Our work will revolutionize fieldwork education and pave the way for networked on-campus HyFlex laboratories.”