Dazhi Yang
she/her/hers
Full Professor
Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology
Boise State University
Biography
Dr. Dazhi Yang is a Professor of Educational Technology in the College of Educationâs Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology, with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering at Boise State University. She also serves as Associate Director for Computing and Society in the School of Computing in the College of Engineering. Dr. Yang has more than 20 years of interdisciplinary experience working with colleagues across multiple disciplines as well as community partners. Her research focuses on the intersection of technology and STEM education, with recent emphasis on AI in learning, societal impacts of computing, computational thinking, sustainability in engineering design, and partnerships that connect computing with workforce and community needs.
Degrees Earned
Ph.D./Learning Design and Technology/2008
Research Areas
Machine Learning/AI; other
Research Interests
My research interests center on technology-supported STEM education, with a particular focus on engineering and computing education, online and distance learning, and teacher/faculty professional development. In engineering education, I investigate strategies to repair and prevent student misconceptions of challenging concepts, while in computing education my work emphasizes strengthening critical thinking, problem solving, the integration of AI in education, and examining the societal impact of computing. I am also interested in embedding sustainability and resilience into undergraduate engineering curricula, and in developing strategies to introduce clean and renewable energy concepts through innovative approaches such as data visualization and virtual/augmented reality. My scholarship is intentionally interdisciplinary, drawing on engineering, computing, education, and the learning sciences to generate scalable solutions to complex educational challenges. Through community partnerships and collaborative research initiatives, I aim to create effective learning environments that not only enhance student learning and engagement in digital contexts but also extend the reach and impact of research beyond academia to address broader societal needs.
Topical Areas
Educational Sciences; Other Computer and Information Sciences; Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking; Training; Visualization and Human-Computer Systems
Research Synergy
My research interests intersect with and complement various fields of study by promoting interdisciplinary approaches to STEM education, sustainability, and technology integration, thereby creating fertile ground for collaborative scholarship. The focus on engineering and computing education, digital learning environments, and faculty development directly supports team-based efforts where faculty and students can co-create innovative pedagogical models and computational solutions. By advancing technology-supported learning and training and employing rigorous educational methodsâparticularly mixed-methods design researchâmy work naturally aligns with projects led by colleagues and institutional partners who seek to advance impactful STEM education and research. These synergies align with the SRPâs mission of building communities where individuals from varied disciplines contribute to problem solving. Rather than advancing research in isolation, I view my scholarship as a platform for collaborationâpartnering with project leaders, faculty, and students to bridge disciplinary divides, leverage diverse perspectives, and co-develop solutions that enhance both academic outcomes and societal impact. In this way, my research not only contributes to expanding the nationâs leadership in scientific and technological innovation but also reinforces the creation of ecosystems that are sustainable, and resilient.
Motivation
I am eager to participate in the Sustainable Research Pathways program because its mission of fostering collaborative and innovative scientific ecosystems closely aligns with my scholarly values and professional commitments. My research at the intersection of technology-supported STEM education, engineering and computing pedagogy, and sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing upon engineering, computing, education, and the learning sciences to design scalable solutions to complex educational challenges. Recently, I was appointed Associate Director of Computing and Society in the School of Computing, a role that reflects my dedication to integrating technical research with societal impact and building collaborative, cross-disciplinary initiatives. This position provides me with a unique platform to work with various students and faculty while advancing projects that connect computing with pressing societal needs. Through the Sustainable Research Pathways program, I hope to expand interdisciplinary collaborations in high-impact research and contribute to the development of sustainable research communities with outstanding researchers nationwide. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to engage with faculty, students, and project leaders in the NSF NAIRR projects, fostering synergies that extend beyond individual research agendas to advance innovation in science and technology.
Supervising Students Plan
My approach to working with students will begin with a structured onboarding process to familiarize them with the program objectives, research projects, and available resources. We will hold regular weekly meetings to discuss progress, address problems or challenges, and collaboratively identify solutions. Students will be encouraged to work independently while knowing that mentoring, guidance, and support are available as needed to ensure their success. In addition to the research experience, I will provide professional development opportunities by involving students in manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and other scholarly dissemination activities. This plan ensures students gain valuable research, problem-solving, and communication skills while contributing meaningfully to the project.
Student Merit
I have had the opportunity to work with April Burton (a doctoral student in educational technology) in previous research collaborations, where she consistently demonstrated strong research ability and intellectual curiosity. Her creativity allows her to approach problems from multiple perspectives, often proposing innovative solutions. From our past work together, I have found her to be highly reliable, diligent, and committed to meeting deadlines, which makes her a dependable contributor to team projects. Her preparedness and aptitude for independent work, combined with her openness to feedback and collaboration, have reinforced my decision to include her on this team. I am confident that her skills and mindset will contribute meaningfully to the success of the project and to a productive and supportive research environment.
Lightning Talk Title
Transforming STEM Learning and Society Through Technology
Keywords
STEM learning; Technology; Engineering education; AI in education; Instructional design; Online and eLearning; Computing; Societal impact; Interdisciplinary; Mixed-methods research;