Towards an Educational Computing Career Exploration Game
D. Kao, A.J. Magana, O. Oyedokun, A. Ravi
Extended Abstracts of ACM Computer-Human Interaction in Play (CHI PLAY), 2022.

Synthesizing Game Levels for Collaborative Gameplay in a Shared Virtual Environment
H. Liu, M. Choi, D. Kao, C. Mousas
ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems, 2022.

Procedural Game Level Design to Trigger Spatial Exploration
P. Acevedo, M. Choi, H. Liu, D. Kao, C. Mousas
Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2022.

Exploring the Influence of Demographic Factors on Progression and Playtime in Educational Games
A. Joshi, C. Mousas, D. F. Harrell, D. Kao
Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2022.

Zen Hanzi: A Game for Raising Hanzi Component Awareness
O. Keehl, D. Kao, E. Melcer
Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2022.

Audio Matters Too: How Audial Avatar Customization Enhances Visual Avatar Customization
D. Kao, R. Ratan, C. Mousas, A. Joshi, E. Melcer
ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), 2022.
(Honorable Mention.)

Emotional and Cognitive Effects of Learning with Computer Simulations and Computer Videogames
A.J. Magana, J. Hwang, S. Feng, S. Rebello, T. Zu, D. Kao
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 2022.

Exploring Relevance, Meaningfulness, and Perceived Learning in Entertainment Games
R. Sharma, E. Melcer, D. Kao
Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), 2022.

Not Very Effective: Validity Issues of the Effectance in Games Scale
N. Ballou, H. Breitsohl, D. Kao, K. Gerling, S. Deterding
Extended Abstracts of ACM Computer-Human Interaction in Play (CHI PLAY), 2021.

The Effects of a Self-Similar Avatar Voice in Educational Games
D. Kao, R. Ratan, C. Mousas, A. Magana
ACM Computer-Human Interaction in Play (CHI PLAY), 2021.
(Honorable Mention.)

Evaluating Tutorial-based Instructions for Controllers in Virtual Reality Games
D. Kao, A. Magana, C. Mousas
ACM Computer-Human Interaction in Play (CHI PLAY), 2021.

Evaluating Virtual Reality Locomotion Interfaces on Collision Avoidance Task with a Virtual Character
C. Mousas, D. Kao, A. Koilias, B. Rekabdar
The Visual Computer (Proc. of CGI 2021), 2021.

Fighting COVID-19 at Purdue University: Design and Evaluation of a Game for Teaching COVID-19 Hygienic Best Practices
D. Kao, A. Joshi, C. Mousas, A. Peddireddy, A. K. Gopi, J. Li, J. Springer, B. S. McGowan, J. B. Reed
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2021.

Toward Understanding Embodied Human-Virtual Character Interaction Through Virtual and Tactile Hugging
D. Cui, D. Kao, C. Mousas
Computer Animation and Social Agents (CASA), 2021.

The Effects of Observation in Video Games: How Remote Observation Influences Player Experience, Motivation, and Behaviour
D. Kao
Behaviour & Information Technology, 2021.

Toward Understanding the Effects of Virtual Character Appearance on Avoidance Movement Behavior
C. Mousas, A. Koilias, B. Rekabdar, D. Kao, D. Anastasiou
IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR), 2021.

A Systematic Review of Literature on the Effectiveness of Intelligent Tutoring Systems in STEM
S. Feng, A.J. Magana, D. Kao
IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2021.

First-Year Exploratory Studies about Students' Career Decision Processes and the Impact of Data-Driven Decision Making
T. Karabiyik, D. Kao, A.J. Magana
The Educational Review, USA, 2021.

Virtual Reality Racket Sports: Virtual Drills for Exercise and Training
H. Liu, Z. Wang, C. Mousas, D. Kao
IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (IEEE ISMAR), 2020.

Using Real-Time, In-Game Measures to Evaluate Game Difficulty
B. Sherrick, C. L. Smith, D. Kao, C. Mousas
National Communication Association (NCA), 2020.

Hack.VR: A Programming Game in Virtual Reality
D. Kao, C. Mousas, A.J. Magana, D.F. Harrell, R. Ratan, E.F. Melcer, B. Sherrick, P. Parsons, D.A. Gusev
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2020.

Exploring Help Facilities in Game-Making Software
D. Kao
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2020.
(Best Paper Nominee.)

The Effects of Juiciness in an Action RPG
D. Kao
Entertainment Computing, 2020.

Real and Virtual Environment Mismatching Induces Arousal and Alters Movement Behavior
C. Mousas, D. Kao, A. Koilias, B. Rekabdar
IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR), 2020.

JavaStrike: A Java Programming Engine Embedded in Virtual Worlds
D. Kao
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2019.

The Effects of Anthropomorphic Avatars vs. Non-Anthropomorphic Avatars in a Jumping Game
D. Kao
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2019.

Exploring How Preference and Perceived Performance Vary in Different Game Genres Across Time of Day
D. Kao, J.J. De Simone
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2019.

Infinite Loot Box: A Platform for Simulating Video Game Loot Boxes
D. Kao
IEEE Transactions on Games, 2019.
(Best Paper Nominee.)

Exploring the Effects of Growth Mindset Usernames in STEM Games
D. Kao
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2019.

Toward Using Virtual Identities in Computer Science Learning for Broadening Participation
S. V. Harrell, M. Wagoner, D. Kao, D. Olson, A. Rodriguez, D.F. Harrell
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2019.

Exploring the Use of Virtual Identities for Broadening Participation in Computer Science Learning
D.F. Harrell, D. Olson, D. Kao, A. Rodriguez, L. Carney, S. V. Harrell
Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN), 2018.

The Effects of Badges and Avatar Identification on Play and Making in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), 2018.

Researching and Developing the Impacts of Virtual Identity on Computational Learning Environments
D. Kao
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2018.

Embellishment & Effects: Seduction by Style
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
In J. Banks (Ed.), Avatar, Assembled, New York, NY: Peter Lang, 2017.

MazeStar: A Platform for Studying Virtual Identity and Computer Science Education
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2017.

Toward Understanding the Impact of Visual Themes and Embellishment on Performance, Engagement, and Self-Efficacy in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2017.
(Best Student Paper award.) 

Exploring the Effects of Dynamic Avatars on Performance and Engagement in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
Games+Learning+Society (GLS), 2016.

Highlighting MazeStar: A Platform for Studying Avatar Use in Computer Science Learning Environments
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell, C.U. Lim, S.V. Harrell, M. Wagoner, H. Ho
Games+Learning+Society (GLS), 2016.

Exploring the Impact of Avatar Color on Game Experience in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), 2016.

Exploring the Effects of Encouragement in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), 2016.

Toward Understanding the Impacts of Role Model Avatars on Engagement in Computer Science Learning
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2016.

Exploring the Use of Role Model Avatars in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
Experimental AI in Games (EXAG), 2015.

Exploring the Impact of Role Model Avatars on Game Experience in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Computer-Human Interaction in Play (CHI PLAY), 2015.

Toward Avatar Models to Enhance Performance and Engagement in Educational Games
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
IEEE Computational Intelligence in Games (CIG), 2015.

Toward Understanding Real-World Social Impacts of Avatars
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim
Electronic Literature Organization (ELO), 2015.

Toward Evaluating the Impacts of Virtual Identities on STEM Learning
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2015.

Exigent: An Automatic Avatar Generation System
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2015.

Mazzy: A STEM Learning Game
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2015.

Exploring construction, play, use of virtual identities in STEM learning
D. Kao, D.F. Harrell
Jean Piaget Society Annual Conference (JPS), 2015.

The Chimeria Platform: User Empowerment through Expressing Social Group Membership Phenomena
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim, J. Lipshin, A. Sutherland
Digital Humanities (DH), 2014.

Stories of Stigma and Acceptance Using the Chimeria Platform
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim, J. Lipshin, A. Sutherland
Electronic Literature Organization (ELO), 2014.

The Chimeria Platform: An Intelligent Narrative System for Modeling Social Identity-Related Experiences
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim, J. Lipshin, A. Sutherland, J. Makivic
Intelligent Narrative Technologies (INT), 2014.

Authoring Conversational Narratives in Games with the Chimeria Platform
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim, J. Lipshin, A. Sutherland, J. Makivic, D. Olson
ACM Foundations of Digital Games (FDG), 2014.
(Best Paper honorable mention.) 

Computationally Modeling Narratives of Social Group Membership with the Chimeria System
D.F. Harrell, D. Kao, C.U. Lim
Computational Models of Narrative (CMN), 2013.

The Living Liberia Fabric: An Interactive Narrative Artwork Memorializing Civil War in Liberia
D.F. Harrell, C.U. Lim, D. Kao, J. Zhang
International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA), 2013.

Reward Preference in Video Games
D. Kao
Princeton University, Technical Report, 2012.