Dr. David Therriault Wins Poster Award for AI-Driven Educational Research
The University of Florida’s School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education (HDOSE) is proud to recognize Dr. David Therriault, associate professor of Educational Psychology, for receiving the Quantitative Research Poster Award at the UF Center for Teaching Excellence’s Research in Teaching and Learning (RiTL) Conference.
Dr. Therriault’s research, titled “Slaying Educational Zombie Claims with Empiricism and AI: Is the Pen Truly Mightier than the Laptop?”, explores differences in the effectiveness of student note-taking by hand and via computer, comparing these notes to AI-generated lecture summaries. The study found that computer-based notetaking was equally effective to hand-written note-taking. The project was co-authored with UF undergraduates Carina Swenson and Nitya Kodali, as well as Dr. Lise Abrams of Pomona College, showcasing the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the work.
This award builds on the popularity and impact of Educational Psychology courses at UF, which consistently attract large numbers of undergraduate students. Dr. Therriault’s lab plays a key role in this success, offering students hands-on research opportunities that bridge theory, data, and real-world application.
“Undergraduate students in our College consistently seek out Dr. Therriaut as an instructor, and this type of research project displays one of the many reasons they value his courses,” said Dr. Corinne Manley, Director of HDOSE.
Dr. Therriault stated, “I am deeply grateful to the University of Florida for fostering an environment that encourages innovative research and collaboration. I extend my sincerest appreciation to my students, Carina Swenson and Nitya Kodali, who co-authored this project with me. This award not only recognizes our work but also serves as a testament to the incredible potential of our students and the power of interdisciplinary research.”
He went on to say, “I am thrilled to see the impact of our research on the field of educational psychology and the role of AI in shaping the future of education. Finally, I want to acknowledge the broader UF AI community, whose contributions have enabled us to explore new educational frontiers. I am honored to be part of this community.”
The project reflects UF’s national leadership in artificial intelligence and HDOSE’s commitment to applying AI in innovative ways to enhance educational systems. By integrating AI tools into educational research, HDOSE faculty are helping shape the future of evidence-based instruction and student engagement.
About HDOSE
HDOSE faculty research and teach the foundations and structures of educational and community systems for people to thrive in their learning and development. We cultivate researchers, leaders, counselors, and administrators, empowering them to make evidence-based decisions that enhance human potential and educational growth. To learn more about HDOSE degree programs, click here.
Note. This HDOSE highlights story was written using generative AI-assistance.
