UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #808

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Jean Baptiste MBANZABUGABO
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: JB
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: jm22cf@fsu.edu
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): jm22cf@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Bret Staudt Willet
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: Bret.StaudtWillet@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14666/Screenshot%202024-08-15%20224626.png

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: EduGauge: A Data-Informed Approach to Monitoring and Supporting Learner Progress in Online Learning Environments
Project Keywords: Educational Analytics, Student Performance Monitoring, Learning Management System, learning Analytics
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
At least one candidate should come from any of the following programs: computer programming and applications, computer science, information and communication technology (ICT), or information technology majors.  

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
 
With the growing shift towards online education, educators/instructors/professors face significant challenges in effectively monitoring and supporting student progress. The current learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas offer basic tracking capabilities, but they fall short in providing comprehensive, real-time analytics and feedback mechanisms that can help educators identify at-risk students and tailor their support. The lack of detailed, actionable insights into student engagement and performance makes it difficult for professors to intervene early and effectively. There is an urgent need for an integrated system that enhances the capabilities of existing LMS platform by providing detailed analytics, automated notification, and intuitive dashboards to better support student success in online environments. {Mo detail to be provided}
Objective: Create a system to be integrated with Canvas that provides comprehensive monitoring and analytics on students' progress in online classes.


Research Tasks:
1.  Conduct a thorough review of existing research (at least 10 ABs) on learning management systems (LMS), with a focus on analytics, student performance monitoring, and real-time feedback in online education.
2. Identify and analyze other educational platforms and tools that provide student progress tracking and analytics and compare the features of these tools with those of Canvas, focusing on their effectiveness in monitoring student performance.
3. Document the specific requirements and design document for the new system.
4. Assist in the design and development of a prototype system that will be integrated with Canvas.
5. Conduct user testing with educators and sample students to assess the effectiveness and usability of the new system and document the findings.
6. Prepare a Poster presentation /Showcase

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Basic research method 
System analysis 
Ability to quickly grasp and apply new technologies (Tech Savviness)
Experience with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design
PHP, Python & machine learning
Working with Application Programming Interfaces or eager to learn
Data Management

Mentoring Philosophy:
I will play a pivotal role in guiding students through the project. This includes helping them navigate new technologies, encouraging self-learning, fostering collaboration, and providing tips and feedback. I will also facilitate the training to understand the actual development needed. My approach to mentoring is rooted in the belief that effective guidance is both a partnership and a shared journey, where both mentor and mentee grow together.
I am committed to support the growth and success, both in the context of this project and in their broader career development.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: orcid.org/ Researcher ID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9996-4480    
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
Who is Jean Baptiste Mbanzabugabo?
He is a PhD student in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies within the department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a Master of Computer Applications, a Master of Science in Software Engineering, and a Doctor of Science in Computer Science. Prior to joining FSU as ISLT PhD Student, he served as a Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Kigali.



Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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Roundtable Info:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: Yes
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Year: 2024
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=Z-6mQZTf89hGZe7xRIziMiuzbckHkWfd1lk4Q2wxhiM