CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 21 -- The University of North Carolina-Charlotte issued the following press release:
Computer science professor Tiffany Barnes is studying how to use artificial intelligence to transform education. Her efforts have resulted in a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award.
Barnes, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science in UNC Charlotte's College of Computing and Informatics, will receive $646,982 during the next five years to support her research, 'Educational Data Mining for Student Support in Interactive Learning Environments.'
'I am honored and delighted to receive the NSF Career Award to advance my research in developing software to make education better for students learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,' said Barnes. 'This award will enable us to engage more graduate and undergraduate students in computer science research that has a direct benefit on society.'
Creating intelligent learning technologies from data has unique potential to transform the American educational system, by building a low-cost way to adapt learning environments to individual students, while advancing research on human learning, Barnes said.
The goal of her project is to create technology for a new generation of data-driven intelligent tutors, enabling the rapid creation of individualized instruction to support learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. It has the potential to develop individualized learning support for a broad audience, from children to adults, including students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, Barnes said.
'This is exciting news for Dr. Barnes, as well as the college and the University as a whole,' said Yi Deng, dean of the College of Computing and Informatics. 'This prestigious award is yet another reflection upon the exemplary faculty and cutting-edge research of the college.'
The NSF Career Award is the foundation's most prestigious honor in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of their education and research programs within the mission of their organization.
About The College of Computing and Informatics
The College of Computing and Informatics provides academic programs in computer science, software and information systems, information technology, and bioinformatics. It is also the home to leading research centers and institutes, including the Center for Digital Identity and Cyber Defense Research, the Bioinformatics Research Center, the Charlotte Visualization Center, the Diversity in Information Technology Institute, the eBusiness Technology Institute, and the Software Solutions Lab.
About UNC Charlotte
A public research university, UNC Charlotte is the fourth largest campus among the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina system. It is the largest institution of higher education in the Charlotte region, offering doctoral, master's and bachelor's programs. Fall 2008 enrollment was 23,300 students, including nearly 5,000 graduate students.
About National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 'to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense...' With an annual budget of about $6.06 billion, the NSF is the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally-supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields, such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal funding.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
Clark G. Curtis, 704/687-7983, clarkcurtis@uncc.edu.
