The Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 research fellows, Dr. Karen (Lujie) Chen, Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Systems at UMBC; and Dr. Chien-Ming Huang, John C. Malone Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University.

Drs. Chen and Huang will work with Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars, classroom teachers, and young students from our Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) partners to explore the effectiveness of using robot-assisted learning and teaching in urban kindergarten to Grade 2 classrooms. Their project seeks to support whole child development through facilitating differentiated instruction and enhancing learning gains and student engagement using technology-based artificial intelligence.

Using a framework of socio-technology system theory, the Sherman Center Faculty Research Award will allow Drs. Cheng and Huang to understand the potential success factors and barriers to incorporating robot-based learning in authentic learning contexts, particularly with young learners. This innovative and interdisciplinary project introduces the ABii robot, developed by Van Robotics, into the classroom to support teaching and learning in the areas of mathematics, literacy, and socio-emotional learning.

For more information about the Sherman Center Faculty Research Award, please visit the Sherman Center website.