Research Interests
My name is Wei Yan, and I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Northern Arizona University. I specialize in Computer Science (CS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in K–12 settings, with a strong focus on using innovative technologies to create equitable and accessible learning experiences for all students. My research explores how students engage in problem-solving within CS education, particularly through the lens of computational thinking. While computing concepts can be abstract and challenging for young learners, I believe that well-designed learning experiences grounded in computational thinking can make these ideas more tangible and meaningful. During my work with students, I often observed moments of struggle and frustration—these moments became a source of inspiration for me. I am deeply motivated to understand what causes these challenges and how teachers can provide effective, timely support to help students persevere and succeed. My goal is to design learning experiences that not only teach CS and AI concepts but also empower teachers and students through culturally responsive, learner-centered practices.
Research Experience
Postdoc Researcher, Advisor: Ashish Amresh 2024 - Present
Northern Arizona University
National Science Foundation Project
Investigating the approaches for improving computer science pathways at Native American tribal schools (BSCER)
Develop and submit IRB protocols; Assist project team members in designing and testing culturally relevant curricular materials; Publish the findings in journals and peer-reviewed conferences; Review evaluation metrics and help refine the curriculum based on teacher/student performance data; Support with grant writing tasks to solicit new awards and funding to continue the research; Work with STEM Learning Labs and Centers at NAU to translate the findings from the research and explore collaborations.
National Science Foundation Project
Collaborative Creation of Culturally Responsive Integrated STEM (CO-STEM)
Publish the findings in journals and at peer-reviewed conferences; develop and
submit IRB protocols; and assist with grant writing tasks to solicit new awards and
funding for ongoing research.
NSF and Micron Foundation Partnership for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship
Program
Supports scholarships for STEM teachers pursuing graduate studies in
microelectronics or related fields.
Work with Microelectronics Metrology Program; Review evaluation metrics and help
refine the metrology curriculum; Facilitate game design within VR learning
environment; Develop and submit IRB protocols for usability test
Graduate Research Assistant, Advisor: Israel, Maya 2018 to 2023
National Science Foundation Project 2022 – 2023
Universal Design for Learning in Computer Science (UDL4CS)
Understand the level of meaningful inclusion in elementary CS education; Investigate barriers and catalysts to the inclusion of elementary students with disabilities in CS education; Use video analysis to explore the role of scaffoldings for elementary students.
US Department of Education. 2020 – 2022
Include Neurodiversity in Foundational and Applied Computational Thinking Explore 3-8th grade
neurodiverse students’ computational thinking in the game-based environment;
Using video analysis to understand students’ problem-solving behaviors in Zoombinis.
National Science Foundation Project 2018 - 2022
Learning Trajectories for Everyday Computing: Integrating Computational Thinking
and Elementary Mathematics. Integrating Computational Thinking (CT) into elementary math lessons;
CT lesson teaching; Using Collaborative Computing Observation Instrument (C-COI) to analyze
video screen capture data; analyzing data from CT assessment to understand students’ CT.
Virtual Research Internship
Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund Project 2019 to 2021
Effective Models for Integrating CT into NYC Elementary Schools project.
Education Development Center | University of Florida | The Research Alliance for New York City schools.
Virtual Research Intern on Effective Models for Integrating Computational Thinking into
NYC Elementary Schools;Assisted with data analysis on a collaborative research project
between the University of Florida and the Education Development Center (EDC),
under the supervision of Maya Israel (UF), Heather Sherwood and Wendy Martin (EDC)
Using qualitative method (cross-case study) to analyze data; Content related to CT integration
in elementary schools.
Graham Civic Scholar
Bob Graham Center for Public Service 2017
Explored early childhood education services for families in an assigned Florida county
by researching the issues, interviewing stakeholders, and writing reports.
Publications
Peer-reviewed and journal paper
Conferences Proceeding
Yan, W., Amresh, A., and Prescott, P,2025. Teaching Computing in Indigenous
Schools: An Early Experience Report. In Proceedings of Research in Equity and
Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT,
2025) July 14–16, Newark, NJ, USA, ACM, 4 pages.
Yan, W., Amresh, A., Hovermill, J. A., & Prescott, P. (2025, February). What Could
Impact Indigenous-serving Teachers' Computing Integration After A Culturally
Responsive Professional Development? In Proceedings of the 56th ACM Technical
Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 2 (pp. 1667-1668).
Hicks, A., Shi, Y., Lekshmi-Narayanan, A. B., Yan, W., & Marwan, S. (2024). An
Approach to Detect Abnormal Submissions for CodeWorkout Dataset. arXiv preprint
arXiv:2407.17475.
Prescott, P, Hovermill, J., Amresh, A., Yan, W., and Begay, C., 2024. Let’s Talk Code: A flexible professional development and implementation in computer science to expand access to CS in underserved communities. In E. Langran (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. Las Vegas, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Amresh, A., Hovermill, J., Yan, W., and Prescott, P, 2024. Broadening Computing Participation in the Navajo Nation. In Proceedings of the 29th annual ACM conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE, 2024), July 8-10, Milan, Italy, 6 pages.
Yan, W., Hovermill, J., and Prescott, P, Amresh, A.,2024. Teaching Computing in Indigenous Schools: An Early Experience Report. In Proceedings of Research in Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT, 2024) May 16-17, Georgia, GA, USA, ACM, 6 pages.
Yan, W., Bennett, A., Cobo, A., and Israel, M., 2024. A Cross-Case
Analysis of Experienced Educators in CS Inclusion. In Proceedings of the
55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 2 (SIGCSE, 2024), March 20–23, 2024, Portland, OR, USA. ACM, New York, NY, USA,
2 pages.
Israel, M., Li, J., Yan, W., Elagha, N., Huggins-Manley, C., Luo, F., and Franklin, D. (2023, August). “How are Elementary Students Demonstrating Understanding of Decomposition within Elementary Mathematics?” In Proceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research.
Luo,F., Yan, W., Liu, R., and Israel, M. “Elementary Students’ Understanding of Variables in
Computational Thinking-Integrated Instruction: A Mixed Methods Study,” Proceedings of ACM,
SIGCSE’22, March 3–5, 2022, Providence, RI, USA. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 7 pages.
https://doi.org/10.1145/3494579
Yan, W., Israel, M., & Liu, T. (2021, August). “Elementary Students’ Debugging Behaviors in a
Game-based Environment,” In Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on International Computing
Education Research (pp. 441-442).
Sherwood, H., Yan, W., Liu, R., Fancsali, C., and Pierce. M. A. Israel, M. “Diverse Approaches to
School-wide Computational Thinking Integration at the Elementary Grades: Across-case analysis,"
Proceedings of ACM, SIGCSE ’21, March 13–20, 2021
Luo, F., Israel, M., Liu, R., Yan, W., Gane, B. D., and Hampton, J. “Understanding Students'
Computational Thinking through Cognitive Interviews: A Learning Trajectory-based Analysis,”
Proceedings of ACM, SIGCSE ’20, March 11–14, 2020
Yan, W., Liu, R., Israel, M., Sherwood, H., Fancsali, C., and Pierce. M. A., “School-wide Integration of
Computational Thinking into Elementary Schools: A Cross-case Study,” Proceedings of ACM (SIGCSE),
March 11–14, 2020, ACM ISBN 978-1-4503-6793-6/20/03
Gane, B. D, Elagha, N., Luo, F., Liu, R., Yan, W., Strickland, C., Franklin, D., Rich, K. M., Pellegrino, J.
W., and Israel, M., “Developing Computational Thinking Assessments for Elementary Students --
Connecting Cognition, Observation, and Interpretation,” Proceedings of ICLS
Manuscripts
Yan, W., Parekh, P., Amresh, A., & Prescott, P. (2025). Data Fusion Insights on
Indigenous-Serving Teachers’ Implementation of Culturally Responsive
Computing. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 33(1), 243-282.
Yan, W., Luo, F., Israel, M., Liu, R., & Chandler, L. T. (2025). How Do Elementary
Students Apply Debugging Strategies in a Block-Based Programming
Environment?. Education Sciences, 15(3), 292.
Gane, B., Israel, M., Elagha, N., Yan, W., & Pellegrino, J. (2021). Design and validation of
learning-trajectory based assessments for computational thinking in upper elementary grades.
Computer Science Education, 1-25.
Manuscripts in Progress
Yan, W., Hovermill, J., Prescott, P, Hovermill, J., Amresh, A (in progress). Promoting Native American STEM education through Project-based Learning Project-COSTEM. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Yan, W., Chandle, L., Israel, M., (in progress). An in-depth analysis of how elementary students solve sequencing computing activities. Learning, Media, and Technology.
Bennett, A., Cobo., A., Yan,. W., Israel, M., (in progress). A cross-case analysis of special education teachers’ CS teaching. Learning and Instruction.
Yan, W., Israel, M., Liu, T., Understand K-8 students’ debugging behaviors through convergent mixed-method (Under Review). Journal of Interactive Learning Environment.
Liu, R., Yan, W., Israel, M., (in preparation). The Current Landscape of Computing Education in Elementary Settings: A Systematic Literature Review.
Israel, M., Lash, T., Yan, W., Luo, F., & Liu, R. (2020). Collaborative Computing Observation
Instrument Research Manual. Creative Technology Research Retrieved from
https://ccoi.education.ufl.edu/assets/files/CCOI_Code_Book.pdf
Book Chapters
Israel, M., Marino, Yan, W., & Samuels, H. (2022). Using technology to support effective inclusive
elementary schools. In J. McLeskey, F. Spooner, B. Algozzien, & N. L. Waldron (Eds). Handbook of
Effective Inclusive Elementary Schools: Research and Practice (2nd Edition). Routlage.
Israel, M., & Lash, T. (with contributions from Yan, W., Liu, R., & Luo, R). (2020). Universal Design for
Learning in K-12 Programming. In S. Grover (Ed). Computer Science in K-12: An A to Z Handbook on
Teaching Programming. (219-226). Palo Alto, CA: Edfinity.
Presentations and Invited Lectures
Yan, W., Amresh, A., Hovermill, J., Prescott, P. (2025, April) How does A Computer
Science PD Prepare Indigenous-serving Teachers towards Computing Integration? Paper
accepted at the 2025 Conference of American Educational Research Association.
Bennett, A., Yan, W., Cobo, A., and Israel, M. (2025, April). A Cross-Case Analysis of
Teachers with Experience Instructing Students with Disabilities in Computer Science
Education. Paper accepted at the 2025 Conference of American Educational Research
Association.
Yan, W., Amresh, A., Prescott, P. (2024, September) Data Fusion Insights into IndigenousServing Teachers’ Learning, Implementing, and Teaching Culturally Responsive Computing.
Paper accepted at the 2024 SITE Interactive 2024 Online Conference
Yan, W., Liu, T., Weisberg, L., Ramírez-Salgado, A., Israel, M. (2024, April) Middle School Students’ Computational Problem-Solving Behaviors In A Game-Based Environment. Paper accepted at the 2024 Conference of American Educational Research Association.
Yan, W., Luo, F., Liu, R., Israel, M., Chandler., L. (2024, April) What Happened to My Codes while I Program in A Puzzle-Based Programming Environment? Paper accepted at the 2024 Conference of American Educational Research Association.
Liu, T., Yan, W., Israel, M., (2023, October) Understand K-8 students’ debugging behaviors through convergent mixed-method. Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT).
Liu, R., Israel, M., Yan, W., (2023, April). The Current Landscape of Computing Education in Elementary Settings: A Systematic Literature Review. Paper accepted at the 2023 Conference of American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
Israel, M., Cobo, A., Yan, W., Liu, R., Chandler, L. (April, 2022). Developing Scaffolding Debugging Strategies to Support Metacognitive During Programming. On session paper at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) national meeting, Virtual.
Israel, M., Yan, W., Thomas, D. K. (April, 2021). The role of special education teachers in promoting
access to compuer science education: BrowardCODES-for-All. Structured poster session at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) national meeting, Virtual.
Israel, M., Yan, W., Liu, R., Martinez, M., Sherwood, H., Adair, A., Martin, W., & Rivera-Cash, E.
(April, 2021). School-wide integration models of computational thinking in elementary schools:
A cross case analysis. Paper session at the American Educational Research Association (AERA)
national meeting, Virtual.
Israel, M., Yan, W., Liu, R., Sherwood, H., Fancsali, C., and Pierce. M. A. (2021). “School-wide
integration models of computational thinking in elementary schools: A cross case analysis,” AERA
Gane, B. D., Elagha, N., Luo, F., Liu, R., Yan, W., Strickland, C., Franklin, D., Rich, K., Pellegrino, J. W. &
Israel, M. (2020, April). Developing Computational Thinking Assessments From Learning Trajectories:
Design Approach and Preliminary Validity Evidence. Paper Session at 2020 American Educational
Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, San Francisco, CA. http://tinyurl.com/svdtn7j
(Conference Canceled)
Guest Lecture
“Introduction to Computational Thinking” in EME 4401 Integrated Technology into Elementary
Education. The content introduces computational thinking (CT) for pre-service teachers and organizes
plugged and unplugged activities to help preservice teachers better understand CT integration.
Grant Writing Experience
Collaborated with faculty for grant writing
Let’s Talk Code (Submitting)
2025-2028
Amresh, A. (Principal Investigator). National Science Foundation, Computer
Science for All.
Arizona Data Science Corp (Pending)
2024-2027
Hovermill, J. (Principal Investigator). National Science Foundation, AZ Data
Science Corp.
CoSTEM (Pending)
2024-2028
Hovermill, J. (Principal Investigator). National Science Foundation, Innovative
Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST).
LTEC 3 (Declined)
2021-2023
Israel, M. (Principal Investigator). National Science Foundation,
Computer Science for All. ($299,624).
UDL4CS
2021- 2022
Israel, M. (Principal Investigator). Universal Design for Computer Science Learning:
Partnership for Inclusive Elementary Computer Science Education. ($355,884)
ACM-SIGCSE Special Group Grant
“Exploring Elementary Students’ Independent and Collaborative Computing Behaviors Through
Interrelated Measures: Eye-tracking, Video Analysis, and Artifact-based Interviews” (Declined)
Yan, W., Liu, R., Luo, F., Israel, M.
Professional Service
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Communication Officer (1-Year Term- 2025)
Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
Participating in searching and integrating culturally responsive pedagogy (CSP), Translanguaging, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) resources into CSTA website.
Peer-Reviewed Articles for
• Computers & Education
• Journal of Research on Technology in Education
• Conference of American Educational Research Association
• Proceedings of ACM, Special Interest Group Computer Science Education
• Journal of Learning Environments Research
University Service
Northern Arizona University
Undergraduate Mentor 2024
Guiding undergraduate students in the research project.
University of Florida
Undergraduate Tutor 2019 – 2022
Guiding undergraduate students in the research project and poster presentation.
Assisting international students’ course learning
K-12 Education Service
Native American K-12 School 2023
Professional Development Teacher Mentor
PK Yonge Development Research School 2018 – 2022
Teaching Computer science lessons (selected lessons from everyday math) to elementary students; Modeling computer science instruction for preservice teachers in K-5 grade
Computer Skills
Programming
HTML;
JavaScript;
PHP;
MySQL
Applications
General: MS Office; Prezi
Designing: Articulate 360 - Storyline, Rise, Peek;
Adobe CC (Photoshop, Animate, Spark); Canvas
Data Analysis: SPSS; R
Platforms
Dedoose;
WordPress;
MAXQDA