Meet Jinho Kim, an AI-ALOE graduate research assistant and second year Ph.D. student in the Instructional Technology program at the Department of Learning Sciences at Georgia State University and advised by AI-ALOE researcher Min Kyu Kim and head of the AI2 Research Labs. She is on a team interested in seeking innovative learning environments for effective teaching and learning. Kim has presented two conference proceedings at the ISLS (International Society of Learning Sciences) Annual Meeting 2023 and have the following publications in progress:

Kim, J., Haddadian, G., & Kim, M. (accepted). An investigation of knowledge-based AI vs. human evaluation in academic summary evaluation: Similarities, dissimilarities, and being toward mutual understandings. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences/Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (ICLS/CSCL-2023). Montréal, Canada: International Society of the Learning Sciences

Bae, Y., Kim, J., & Kim, M. (accepted). Clustering cognitive engagement changes in a longitudinal traced discussion data from an online course. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference of the Learning Sciences/Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (ICLS/CSCL-2023). Montréal, Canada: International Society of the Learning Sciences

What is your primary research area(s) with AI-ALOE?

Through my work with AI-ALOE, my primary focus has been on the research and development of SMART (Student Mental Model Analyzer for Research and Teaching). SMART, an AI-powered technology, serves to deliver insightful formative feedback tailored for summary writing. My areas of interest are personalization in concept learning and AI-augmented summary writing.

What motivates and guides your research at AI-ALOE?

My research at AI-ALOE is guided by a motivation to positively impact adult online education through innovative AI-based solutions. The opportunity to contribute to the development of tools that aim to personalize learning experiences, making learning enjoyable, effective, engaging, and meaningful, drives my passion for this work. The dynamic and ever-evolving field of AI excites me, as it presents numerous opportunities for advancements in education. Additionally, working within the AI-ALOE project alongside skilled and dedicated professionals, and seeing the advancements made by other research teams inspires me.

How did you become interested in your research field?

My academic journey began as an education major with a primary goal of providing better educational experiences. However, a chance encounter with a computer science poster ignited my curiosity, leading me to take introductory courses in the subject. The more I explored computer science, the more I realized its potential to integrate with education, as students in computer science often lacked education expertise while those in education faced challenges due to limited technical knowledge. I pursued a master’s degree in educational technology to further delve into this. During that time, I engaged in activities to see how computer science could be used to improve online education by trying to automate data collection and analysis, and making online learning environments for classes where I served as a teaching assistant. Currently, my primary interest lies in utilizing AI technology in educational tools to create more personalized learning experiences for learners.

Do you have a favorite hobby outside of research?

I enjoy tinkering and making things with my hands. I’ve played around with 3D printers, 3D pens, and toy models, as well as small art projects like cross-stitching and knitting.

Could you share an interesting and enjoyable tidbit about yourself?

Fun fact—in undergrad, I chose to go to Finland as an exchange student because of a delicious salmon I once ate came from Scandinavia. I ended up loving it there. Also, I’m trying to take up Finnish again. I’ve reached a 150-day streak on Duolingo; fingers crossed that I can master the language!