Professor's work is at crossroads of technology and education
As an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, Rod Roscoe was recruited to offer peer tutoring and study skills workshops for other students. He became fascinated with how people learn, and as he progressed in his studies he started experimenting with incorporating technology into teaching and learning.
Today, he’s a new assistant professor in the Cognitive Science and Engineering program in the College of Technology and Innovation. He’s also continuing his work as an investigator for ASU’s Learning Sciences Institute, where his research examines the cognitive, metacognitive and motivational processes of learning, and the educational activities that facilitate these processes.
Currently, he is working to develop and test the Writing Pal, an intelligent tutoring system designed to teach core writing strategies to high school and early college students. He also conducts research on how people educate themselves online regarding health, sustainability and consumer product issues.
“My research might appeal to any student interested in finding ways to improve our schools, empower people to take charge of their own learning, and incorporate technology into such advances,” he says. “As a new professor at ASU, one of my first goals is to draw in undergraduate students who want to gain immersive research experiences.
Sophomores and juniors are especially encouraged to get involved with a lab, and, if it’s the right fit, stay involved for multiple semesters.”
Roscoe earned his doctorate in cognitive psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and was a post-doctoral fellow with the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University and later with the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Memphis.
His other interests include educational and entertainment gaming, graphic design and improving social and educational equity for LGBT students and students of color.
“I love reading, especially science fiction and fantasy. It’s good to be able to escape the real world from time to time. If people want to geek out about ‘Walking Dead’ or ‘Aliens’ or videogames or other fun ‘nerdy’ things, they should stop by my office.”