Description:

Dr. Joe Michaelis will present for the Computer Science and Learning Sciences Brown Bag on Thursday, October 23. Dr. Michaelis is an Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. 

Talk title: Mental Models at the Intersection of Learning and Human-Robot Interaction

Abstract: To be announced 

Biography: Joe Michaelis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago in Computer Science and Learning Sciences. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology – Learning Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  After six years as a science educator and FIRST robotics coach in urban middle and high schools, he returned to Madison to pursue research interests in STEM education. His research focuses on designing and assessing educational technologies by utilizing human-centered methods and interaction modeling in HCI, and on interest, motivation and socially mediated learning processes in the learning sciences. In this work, he designs and studies technologies that use social connection-making with learners to support learning and interest through long-term engagement, in ways that seamlessly integrate into existing educational activities in classrooms, informal learning environments, and at home. Joe's current research focuses on designing learning companion robots and social robotics curriculum to support learning and interest in STEM fields and is supported through several NSF grants.

Please contact Tammy (tammy.wen@northwestern.edu) to attend on Zoom.