Comprehension and Writing Strategy Training Improves Performance on Content-Specific Source-Based Writing Tasks

Jennifer L. Weston-Sementelli; Laura K. Allen; Danielle S. McNamara

International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education Vol. 28, No. 1 (2018) pp. 106–137

Source-based essays are evaluated both on the quality of the writing and the content appropriate interpretation and use of source material. Hence, composing a high-quality source-based essay (an essay written based on source material) relies on...

Does agency matter?: Exploring the impact of controlled behaviors within a game-based environment

Erica L. Snow; Laura K. Allen; Matthew E. Jacovina; Danielle S. McNamara

Computers & Education Vol. 82, No. 1 (2015) pp. 378–392

When students exhibit control and employ a strategic plan of action over a situation they are said to be demonstrating agency (Bandura, 2001). The current work is comprised of two studies designed to investigate how agency manifests within students' ...

Language: English

The Writing Pal Intelligent Tutoring System: Usability Testing and Development

Rod D. Roscoe; Laura K. Allen; Jennifer L. Weston; Scott A. Crossley; Danielle S. McNamara

Computers and Composition Vol. 34, No. 1 (December 2014) pp. 39–59

The Writing Pal (W-Pal) is an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) designed to improve students’ writing proficiency via a unique combination of explicit strategy instruction, game-based practice, essay writing practice, and automated formative...

Language: English

Spendency: Students' Propensity to Use System Currency

Erica L. Snow; Laura K. Allen; G Tanner Jackson; Danielle S. McNamara

International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education Vol. 25, No. 3 (September 2015) pp. 407–427

Using students' process data from the game-based Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) iSTART-ME, the current study examines students' propensity to use system currency to unlock game-based features, (i.e., referred to here as "spendency")....

L2 Writing Practice: Game Enjoyment as a Key to Engagement

Laura K. Allen; Scott A. Crossley; Erica L. Snow; Danielle S. McNamara

Language Learning & Technology Vol. 18, No. 2 pp. 124–150

The Writing Pal (W-Pal) is an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) designed to provide students with explicit writing strategy instruction and practice. W-Pal includes a suite of educational games developed to increase writing engagement and provide...

Taking Control: Stealth Assessment of Deterministic Behaviors within a Game-Based System

Erica L. Snow; Aaron D. Likens; Laura K. Allen; Danielle S. McNamara

International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education Vol. 26, No. 4 (2016) pp. 1011–1032

Game-based environments frequently afford students the opportunity to exert agency over their learning paths by making various choices within the environment. The combination of log data from these systems and dynamic methodologies may serve as a...