Danielle McNamara

Danielle McNamara is the director of the Science of Learning and Educational Technology (SoLET) laboratory at Arizona State University. The SoLET Lab conducts research to better understand cognition and learning, with a particular focus on reading comprehension and writing processes. They focus on discovering new methods to improve students’ ability to understand challenging text, learn new information, and convey their thoughts and ideas in writing. Their work integrates various approaches and methodologies including the development of game-based, intelligent tutoring systems (e.g., iSTART, Writing Pal), the development of natural language processing tools (e.g., iSTART, Writing Pal, Coh-Metrix, the Writing Assessment Tool), basic research to better understand cognitive and motivational processes involved in comprehension and writing, and the use of learning analytics across multiple contexts. This interdisciplinary research group applies research and methods from multiple disciplines, including education, psychology, linguistics, computer science, and learning analytics to develop learning environments and natural language processing tools. Their online tutoring system, iSTART, provides instruction and adaptive practice on reading comprehension strategies, and the Writing Pal provides instruction and practice to use writing strategies. These systems are appropriate and effective with middle and high school students, and are now being adapted for adult literacy learners. Current work explores efficacy of system use by middle school, high school, and college students, methods for improving system adaptability, usability and feasibility of the systems in classrooms, and the systems’ applications to source-based writing.