AI in Learning, Humans in Charge.
I earned my Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University, where I was co-advised by Dr. Victoria Lynn Lowell (Walker) and Dr. Marisa Exter . I earned my master’s degree in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University Bloomington , where I was advised by Dr. Curtis J. Bonk . My research examines how generative AI reshapes learner agency, authenticity, and equity across learning contexts. I build this agenda through learning analytics, mixed-methods inquiry, measurement, and design-based research, drawing on behavioral data and person-centered methods to understand how learners differ in their engagement with AI. My work combines empirical research with design practice: I develop educational tools, translate theory into usable learning designs, and draw on three years of teaching and program experience at Indiana University Bloomington. Recent work has been recognized with the Global Smart Education Innovation Prize for the PA-SDA Scale (2025), the AECT Outstanding Journal Article Award for a collaborative study with Intel Labs on AI-mediated learning (2025), and a World Digital Education Alliance (WDEA) Certificate of Recognition for the PeteGPT AI tutoring project (2026).
我于普渡大学获得学习设计与技术方向博士学位，师从Victoria L. Lowell博士和Marisa Exter博士；此前于印第安纳大学伯明顿分校获得教学系统技术硕士学位，师从Curtis J. Bonk博士。
我的研究关注生成式人工智能如何重塑不同学习情境中的学习者能动性、真实学习体验与教育公平。我综合运用学习分析、混合研究方法、测量研究与基于设计的研究方法，探究学习者在与AI互动过程中的个体差异、学习路径与支持机制。我的工作连接实证研究与设计实践，既关注理论建构与机制解释，也致力于开发教育技术工具，并将研究发现转化为可实施的学习设计方案。这一研究取向也受到我在印第安纳大学三年教学与项目实践经验的持续影响。
近期，我的研究成果获得多项认可：PA-SDA量表荣获全球智慧教育创新奖（2025）；与英特尔实验室合作开展的AI辅助协作学习研究获得AECT杰出期刊论文奖（2025）；PeteGPT人工智能辅导项目获得世界数字教育联盟（WDEA）表彰证书（2026）。
A question runs through all of it: how can AI-mediated learning environments preserve and even amplify human agency, authentic learning, and instructional quality? My work addresses this across four connected strands:
贯穿这些工作的核心问题是：在AI介入的学习环境中，如何保护并进一步强化学习者的主体能动性、真实学习体验与学习质量？围绕这一问题，我的研究主要从以下四个相互关联的方向展开：
Methodology研究方法
I build this agenda through synthesis, measurement, empirical inquiry, and design translation, moving from field-level questions about AI-mediated learning to real educational settings where judgment, ownership, and fairness are at stake.我通过文献综合、测量研究、实证分析与设计转化推进这一研究议程：从AI辅助学习的宏观问题出发，进入真实教育场景，考察判断力、主体性与公平性如何在具体学习活动中被重新定义。
Systematic Reviews系统综述
Map patterns, gaps, and conceptual shifts across large bodies of GenAI, assessment, and learning research.梳理生成式AI、学习评估与教育技术研究中的主要趋势、研究空白与概念变化。
Design-Based Research设计研究
Build and iteratively refine learning tools in authentic educational settings, including apps, tutoring systems, and AI-supported environments.在真实教学场景中设计并迭代学习工具，包括应用程序、智能辅导系统和AI支持的学习环境。
Mixed-Methods Studies混合研究
Combine surveys, interviews, interaction traces, and performance data, applying learning analytics and person-centered profiling to understand how learners and instructors work with AI across contexts and over time.结合问卷、访谈、交互记录与学习表现数据，运用学习分析和个体中心方法理解不同学习者如何与AI协作。
Measurement & Validation测量与验证
Develop and validate frameworks and instruments for studying agency, self-directed learning, and AI-mediated educational processes.开发并验证用于研究学习者能动性、自主学习和AI中介学习过程的理论框架与测量工具。
News & Activity
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Aug 2026
Beginning my role as Ross-Lynn Postdoctoral Research Scholar in AI in Education at Purdue University's College of Education, supporting the AI Working Group and college-wide AI initiatives.
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Jul 2026
Selected for the LearnLab Summer School at Carnegie Mellon University, Intelligent Tutoring Systems track, led by Dr. Vincent Aleven.
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Jul 2026
Awarded a Texas A&M CEHD Emerge AI Grant for TRAIN-AI: A Cascading Train the Trainer Model for K-16 AI Competency and Tool Development ($50,000, 2026-2027), serving as Co-PI.
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Jul 2026
Upcoming workshop presentation at SEHET26: our co-authored work, T3-CIDERS Train-the-Trainers: Strengthening CI Skills for Cybersecurity Research and Education through Iterative Improvements in Second Cohort, is scheduled for Session II on July 27, 2026.
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Jun 2026
Awarded Purdue VIP Seeding Solutions funding for AI-Powered Personalized Support for Working Adult Online Learners ($2,000), in partnership with Purdue Global.
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Jun 2026
Completed the Graduate Certificate in AI in Education at Purdue University.
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Jun 2026
Passed my doctoral defense on June 2, 2026, officially earning my Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University.
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Jun 2026
Received a Certificate of Recognition from the World Digital Education Alliance (WDEA) for my submission to the Global Call for Best Practices in AIED: Scenarios-Driven Educational Transformation.
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Apr 2026
Launched Ask Belle: Codebase to Course — a five-module mini course on building a bounded AI chatbot assistant, from real code to a shippable product. Also released the Ask Belle Site Chatbot skill as an open-source Codex skill for planning grounded chatbots on personal websites.
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Apr 2026
New paper in International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Systematic Review of Language Educators' Practices and Development with GenAI — synthesizing how language teachers adopt, integrate, and develop professionally with generative AI.
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2025
Launched AI for Education Resource Library — a curated open library of videos, tools, and practical resources spanning teaching, instructional design, AI literacy, and higher education.
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Mar 2026
Our chapter "AI-Generation Literacy" is now published in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Computer-Assisted Language Learning. We introduce a 4I framework (Identify, Interact, Interpret, Integrate) for building AI-generation literacy competencies.
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2026
Awarded the Dean's Dissertation Fellowship — Purdue University College of Education, in support of dissertation completion.
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2026
Honored to receive the Frank B. DeBruicker Graduate Award in Educational Technology — a competitive scholarship for Purdue LDT graduate students, awarded based on academic merit and research productivity.
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Feb 2026
Invited to speak on Conducting Systematic Reviews at Purdue's Psychometric Investigation Lab (PUPIL) workshop and the GIST Professional Development Series at Indiana University (Feb 19, online, with Xiyu Wang).
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Feb 2026
Guest lecture at IU's R678: Emerging Learning Environments alongside Dr. Xiaojing Kou and Dr. Curtis Bonk — sharing findings from multiple studies on GenAI and self-directed learning.
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Oct 2025
Presented 3 papers at AECT 2025 in Las Vegas: AI authenticity and academic integrity; AI-integrated XR in language learning; and nontraditional students' ChatGPT engagement.
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2025
Submitted Spencer Vision Grant — Transforming Online Learning Through AI Presence: Equitable Support of Non-Traditional Students ($74,729, 2025–2026). Lead PI: Victoria Lowell (Purdue). I initiated the concept and served as lead writer.
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2025
Submitted Spencer Small Grant — Global Language Learners Using GenAI Tools ($50,000, 2025–2027). Lead PI: Victoria Lowell (Purdue). Co-led study design and evaluation plan as lead writer.
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2025
Received Purdue travel grants supporting conference presentations at AERA, AECT, and other venues: Graduate Student Hackney Travel Award, Graduate Student Travel Award, LDT Travel Support Program, and PGSG Grant (Purdue Graduate Student Government).
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2025
Global Smart Education Innovation — Research Innovation Prize for the PA-SDA Scale paper, presented at the Global Smart Education Conference at Beijing Normal University. Cash prize: RMB 20,000 (awarded with research team).
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2025
AECT Systems Thinking & Change Outstanding Journal Article Award for "An Early Investigation of Collaborative Problem Solving in Conversational AI-Mediated Learning Environments" (Computers & Education: AI, Intel Labs collaboration).
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Mar 2025
New paper in System: Development and Validation of the PA-SDA Scale — measuring personal attributes in AI-integrated self-directed learning.
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Feb 2025
Systematic review in Computers & Education: AI: Two Years of Innovation — synthesizing empirical GenAI research in education (2022–2024).
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Jan 2025
Paper in British Journal of Educational Technology: nontraditional students' ChatGPT interaction, engagement, self-efficacy, and performance.
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Aug 2024
Paper in IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies: Reconceptualizing SDL in the Era of Generative AI.
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2024
Contributed to two competitive NSF proposals as co-author: NSF IMPACT — Immersive, Personalized, and Accessible Cybersecurity Training ($3,200,000, Texas A&M led); and NSF SEED — Securing the Future of Agriculture Through Cybersecurity Education ($1,000,000, UNO & Texas A&M led). Both rated competitive and invited for revision.
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2024
Received Purdue travel grants supporting conference presentations: Graduate Student Hackney Travel Award, Graduate Student Travel Award, LDT Travel Support Program, and Graduate School Travel Grant.
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2023
NSF T3-CIDERS Collaborative Research Grant ($1,000,000 total, 2023–2027). Awarded to research team on cyberinfrastructure training and workforce development.
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2023
Dean's Doctoral Fellowship ($61,463, 2023–2027) — Purdue University College of Education.
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2023
Spencer Small Grant finalist — Exploring Inventions in Self-Directed Language Learning ($50,000). Team: Curtis Bonk (Lead PI), Belle Li, Xiaojing Kou (Indiana University). I served as project lead and primary writer.
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2023
Received Purdue travel grants for conference presentations: Graduate Student Travel Award and LDT Travel Support Program.
Beyond the CV
