Xinran Zhu is an Assistant Professor in the Learning Design & Leadership and Instructional Design, Technology, & Organization contentrations. She earned her Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Technologies from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests lie at the intersection of learning sciences, learning analytics, and AI in education. Her work is centered on the design of technology-supported learning environments that are theoretically grounded and pedagogically meaningful. Drawing on methods from media design, software engineering, and data science, she develops pedagogical approaches, technological innovations, and empirical insights that enhance meaningful learning experiences in authentic classroom settings.

Dr. Zhu’s research involves two primary strands:

[Strand 1] The Design and Implementation of Educational Technologies: This research strand examines how emerging technologies support students’ knowledge practices in collaborative settings, drawing on insights from computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Recent projects focus on designing and integrating social annotation technologies and generative AI (GenAI) tools into higher education classrooms. The goal is to augment students’ disciplinary skills by leveraging AI as a learning partner for deeper interaction and knowledge creation.

[Strand 2] Computational Research and Learning Analytics Applications: This strand focuses on developing methodological innovations to analyze learning engagement and collaborative behaviors, with the goal of generating actionable insights that support instructors in designing and facilitating more effective learning experiences. Her work incorporates network analysis, natural language processing, and AI-driven techniques to enhance our understanding of learning processes.

Website: https://zhu-xinran.com/

Dr. Zhu teaches courses in the Learning Design & Leadership, and Instructional Design, Technology, and Organization concentrations.