publications

2021

1. JSEE

   Educational Recommender Systems for Decision-Making in Self-Directed Learning

   Songer, Robert W.,  and Yamamoto, Tomohito

   In JSEE Annual Conference International Session Proceedings 2021

   Abs

   Self-directed learning tasks take considerable cognitive effort in the beginning as students are required to make decisions that will have major effects on the rest of their experience. Recommender systems were created specifically for the purpose of aiding the decision-making process, and their use in educational contexts have been no exception. With self-directed learning in particular, students engage in both exploratory and evaluative forms of divergent and convergent thinking as they narrow down their choice of topics and tasks. The issues they encounter along the way relate to their achievement goals and sense of self identity. In this paper, we analyze student responses to questions inspired by achievement goal theory and identity status theory during an interview that took place at the conclusion of a self-directed learning project. Based on the results, we then review evaluation metrics for recommender systems and propose an approach for further research into recommender systems for self-directed learning.

2. ACM

   Towards Educational Recommender Systems for Self-Directed Learning: Profiling Student Achievement Goals and Identity Formation to Inform Recommendation Evaluation Metrics

   Songer, Robert W.,  and Yamamoto, Tomohito

   2021

   Abs HTML

   Research into recommender systems for educational contexts has come a long way but more advances are necessary for the application of evaluation metrics to academic choices in student-centered contexts. This qualitative study looks at a context where students make decisions for a self-directed learning project and analyzes their dispositional, contextual, and situational experiences from the theoretical perspectives of achievement goal theory and identity status theory. We interviewed 7 students at the conclusion of their projects in a semi-structured format with interview questions based on the theoretical aspects of achievement goal theory and identity status theory. Our analysis of the student responses then identifies their needs during the decision-making process and discusses the implications for effective recommender system metrics. The discussion is shaped by the general aim of designing an educational recommender system that promotes exploratory behavior in students and our analysis reveals potential user types for the design of such a system along with relevant evaluation metrics.

2020

1. A Natural Language Processing Approach to Reviewing Research Abstracts

   Songer, Robert,  and Misaki, Kenta

   Memoirs of ICT 2020, Creative Engineering Design Education Oct 2020

2019

1. What motivates my students? An analysis of computer programming assignments

   Songer, Robert

   Memoirs of ICT 2020, Creative Engineering Design Education Oct 2019

2016

1. Gamifying the Classroom: Theory and Practice

   Songer, Robert

   Memoirs of KTC 2015, Creative Engineering Design Education Aug 2016
2. Journal

   A playful affordances approach to the design of gameful learning

   Songer, Robert W,  and Miyata, Kazunori

   The International journal of engineering education Aug 2016

   HTML

2015

1. Thesis

   Finding the Fun: Gameful Design of Classroom Goal Structures for Motivating Student Performance

   Songer, Robert Wesley

   Sep 2015

   HTML PDF
2. Measuring Student Growth with Self-Reports and Descriptive Learning Outcomes

   Songer, Robert, Imazawa, Akio,  and Bailey, Matthew

   Memoirs of KTC 2014, Creative Engineering Design Education Aug 2015

2014

1. ACM

   A Playful Affordances Model for Gameful Learning

   Songer, Robert W.,  and Miyata, Kazunori

   In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality Aug 2014

   Abs HTML

   Games are often cited for their inherent qualities that make them engaging, inspiring, fun and easy to learn. In education, two separate tracks of game-based learning and gamification have sought to activate the benefits of games and game design for the sake of better learning. This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of games and gamification to propose an approach that focuses not on motivating with rewards and consequences, but instead on providing intrinsic game-like experiences through play. We address the issue of gamifying educational contexts with discussions about gamer motivations, the relationship between games and play, and designs for optimal learning within games. From the theoretical foundations of behavioral psychology, anthropology and game studies, we then conclude with a model for the design and evaluation of playful experiences in systems of learning inspired by game design.

2. Enacting Educational Reform: A Case of Kanazawa Technical College

   Songer, Robert,  and Peltokorpi, Vesa

   Memoirs of KTC 2019, Creative Engineering Design Education Aug 2014

2012

1. ACM

   2x3D: Real Time Shader for Simultaneous 2D/3D Hybrid Theater

   Fujimura, Wataru, Koide, Yukua,  Songer, Robert and 3 more authors

   In SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 Emerging Technologies Aug 2012

   Abs

   In recent years, stereoscopic displays paired with glasses that make 3D movies possible are a popular research topic and continue to become widespread. These stereoscopic displays can create the appearance of three-dimensional images by simply wearing a pair of special glasses; however, when seen with the naked eye, the images for the left and right eyes can be seen overlapping.

2. CDIO

   Beginning Engineering Education at Age 15-A Japanese Perspective

   Songer, Robert W,  and Fujisawa, Takeshi

   In Proceedings of the 8th International CDIO Conference Aug 2012

   PDF

2011

1. ACM

   "Mommy Tummy" a Pregnancy Experience System Simulating Fetal Movement

   Kosaka, Takayuki, Misumi, Hajime,  Iwamoto, Takuya and 2 more authors

   In ACM SIGGRAPH 2011 Emerging Technologies Aug 2011

   Abs

   We propose a pregnancy experience system called "Mommy Tummy". Mommy Tummy simulates the physical burden of pregnancy including fetal movement and fetal weight. Through this experience the user can feel the joys and difficulties of pregnancy. In addition, the user can affect the virtual fetus’s behavior with gentle or violent movements.

2. JSEE

   Bringing CDIO to Japan

   Rynearson, Anastasia,  and Songer, Robert

   In JSEE Annual Conference International Session Proceedings Aug 2011

   PDF