Research
The Learning Analytics and Psychology in Education Lab (LAPeL) studies how educational technologies influence student motivation and study habits. Our aim is to help ensure that EdTech can be used to promote equitable outcomes for underserved students.
Learning Analytics
We use big data in education to understand, design, build, and evaluate technologies that support learning in various educational contexts.
Visualizing Learning Data
Data driven educational insights are often communicated through visualizations. Our lab studies how visualizations can impact learning and motivation.
Self-Regulated Learning
We study various technologies that support—or interfere with—students’ self-regulated learning.
Academic Motivation
We examine the potential effects of educational technologies on student motivation.
Our Team
Learn more about the members of the Learning Analytics and Psychology Lab

Stephen J. Aguilar
Assistant Professor of Education
Founder of LAPeL. Stephen’s research focuses on the design and efficacy learning analytics technologies, and how they can be used in ways that promote digital equity and educational achievement among ethnic and racial minority students.

Clare Baek
Ph.D. Student
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Clare has worked as a mentor teacher and department chair at a STEM academy, and as an AP Computer Science reader for Educational Testing Service. At USC, she is excited to research issues related to motivation in STEM, digital technologies and students with disabilities, and bridging educational equity gaps for underserved communities.

Amanda Garcia
Research Assistant
Amanda is a senior studying economics and cognitive science. She is interested in how analytics can be used to study issues such as: academic achievement of underrepresented groups and diversity in online communities.

Jessie Chen
Research Assistant
Jessie is studying psychology and is interested in how students from different cultures are motivated to achieve academic goals with technologies. She is also interested in how different generations use technologies as learning tools in various ways.
Publications
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Structured Generation of Technical Reading Lists
Structured Generation of Technical Reading Lists
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Visualizations & College Students’ Academic Motivation
Visualizations & College Students’ Academic Motivation
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Learning Analytics & Social Justice in Education
Learning Analytics & Social Justice in Education