TRU-Think
TRU-Think is a Socratic AI tutor designed to promote deep learning in computer science education. Unlike traditional AI assistants that provide direct answers, TRU-Think adopts a pedagogy-driven approach that guides students through problem-solving processes using Socratic questioning techniques.
Key Features
- Socratic Dialogue: Engages students with guided questions rather than direct solutions
- Pedagogy-First Design: Built on educational theory and learning science principles
- CS-Focused: Tailored specifically for computer science concepts and problem types
- Adaptive Scaffolding: Adjusts support level based on student responses and progress
Impact
TRU-Think represents a shift from answer-giving to thinking-promoting AI tools in education, helping students develop critical problem-solving skills that transfer beyond the classroom.
I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Computer Science department at Thompson Rivers University. My research centers on the impact of generative AI on the learning behavior and outcome in computer science education. Before joining TRU, I was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the UBC Master of Data Science, where I developed and taught a variety of data science courses, including those on statistical inference, machine learning, and technical communication. In addition to teaching, I coordinated the capstone program, facilitating student collaborations with industry partners on real-world data science projects.
Prior to UBC, I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Learning Analytics at the School of Information, University of Michigan. My research focuses on analyzing students social interactions and peer effects from spatio-temporal large scale data. My work has been recognized with competitive grants, and multiple best paper awards at prominent conferences, including LAK18 and HCI International 17.
I hold a PhD in Learning Analytics at The Open University UK, a BSc and MSc in Economics from Maastricht University, Netherlands.