Doctoral Dissertation Defense

PROGRAM | Computer Science

Investigating Conversational Agents To Support Secondary School Computer Science Exploratory Search

By: Matthew Frazier Chair: Lori Pollock Pollock

ABSTRACT

The focus of this research is Investigating Conversational Agents to Support Secondary School Computer Science Exploratory Search. This research explores the use of conversational agents (e.g., ChatGPT) to enhance exploratory search in Computer Science Principles (CSP) education for secondary school students. Recognizing the challenges in finding suitable online educational resources, particularly for exploratory search, these studies introduce conversational agents to facilitate a personalized learning experience. The research aims to address the need for “information literacy” and support in web searching for secondary school students. The contributions include developing techniques for customized conversational agents in CSP learning, comparing fixed-response and generative approaches, and evaluating their effectiveness and engagement in supporting exploratory search in secondary school CS education. The potential applications include improving learner comprehension, discovering tools and techniques, and enhancing secondary school CSP courses.

 

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