Research
Welcome to the Learning Analytics & Psychology in Education Lab (LAPeL)!
Our aim is to help ensure that digital technologies can be used to promote equitable outcomes for underserved populations.
Learning Analytics
We use big data generated in digital learning environments to help design, build, and evaluate technologies that support learning in various educational contexts.
Educational Data Science
Data science techniques, such as natural language processing (NLP), enable us to study various phenomena that potentially impact learning and/or learners at scale.
Visualizing Learning Data
Data driven educational insights are often communicated through visualizations. Our lab studies how visualizations can impact learning and motivation.
Refutation Texts
Keeping to our roots in psychology, we also design studies focused on refuting various misconceptions that may impact on policy, teaching, and learning.
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.
Anamely Salgado
Ph.D. Student
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Tariro Nussinov
Ph.D. Student
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Urban Education Policy
(Educational Psychology)
Tariro’s research interests lie in social cognition and critical consciousness in terms of identity + educational development in the digital age.
Aidan Gray
Research Assistant
Aidan is a computer science undergrad interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. He hopes to continue his time in academia as a data science researcher.