Explore our free STEM learning resources

Jie Chao

Current Projects

Past Projects

  • Researcher, Mixed-Reality Labs: Integrating Sensors and Simulations to Improve Learning, NSF #1124281, $958,439, 2011-2014.
  • Researcher, Improving STEM Retention through Instruction: Leveraging Faculty Expertise, NSF #0653160, $830,549, 2007-2010.
  • Researcher, The Role of Graduate Student Teaching Experiences in the Development of Scientific Research Skills, NSF #0723686, $705,327, 2007-2010.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

  • Chao, J., Feldon, D. F., & Cohoon, J. P. (in press). Dynamic mental model construction: A knowledge-in-pieces based explanation for computing students’ erratic performance on recursion. Journal of the Learning Sciences.
  • Chao, J., Xie, C., Nourian, S., Chen, G., Bailey, S., Goldstein, M. H., Purzer, S., Adams, R. S., & Tutwiler, M. S. (2017). Bridging the design-science gap with tools: Science learning and design behaviors in a simulated environment for engineering design. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 54(8), 1049-1096.
  • Xie, C., Schimpf, C., Chao, J., Nourian, S., & Massicotte, J. (2017). Learning engineering design through modeling and simulation on a CAD platform. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  • Feldon, D. F., Franco, J., Chao, J., Peugh J., & Maahs-Fladung, C. (2017). Self-efficacy change associated with a cognitive load-based intervention in an undergraduate biology course. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  • DeJaegher, C. J., Chiu, J. L., Chao, J., & Ryoo, J. H., (2017). Investigating the effect of physical augmentation of virtual laboratories on student learning in secondary science. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  • Chao, J., Chiu, J. L., DeJaegher, C. J., & Pan, E. A. (2015). Sensor-augmented virtual labs: Using physical interactions with science simulations to promote understanding of gas behavior. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25(1), 16–33. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-015-9574-4 (PDF)
  • Chiu, J. L., DeJaegher, C. J., & Chao, J. (2015). The effects of augmented virtual science laboratories on middle school students’ understanding of gas properties. Computers & Education, 85, 59–73. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.02.007 (PDF)
  • Maher, M., Feldon, D., Timmerman, B., & Chao, J. (2014). Faculty perceptions of common challenges encountered by novice doctoral writers. Higher Education Research and Development, 33(4), 699–711.
  • Cohoon, J. M. G., Wu, Z., & Chao, J. (2009). Sexism: Toxic to women’s persistence in CSE doctoral programs. ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, 41(1), 158–162. ACM. Retrieved from http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1508924 (PDF)
  • Cohoon, J. M., & Chao, J. (2009). Sexism: Toxic to women’s persistence in CSE doctoral programs. Computing Research News, 21(1). Retrieved February 9, 2009, from http://www.cra.org/CRN/articles/jan09/cohoon_on_sexism.html.
  • Yang, Z. L., Soloway, R. D., Chao J., Liu X. B., Zhang L., Wang F., & Wu J. G. (2004). Association of Unconjugated Bilirubin with Microparticulates of Calcium Carbonate Synthesized in a Phosphotidyl Choline Vesicle Solution. Gastroenterology, 126(4): A234-A234 Suppl. 2, APR 2004.

Book Chapters

  • Pan, E. A., Chiu, J. L., & Chao, J. (2014). Mixed-reality labs: Combining sensors and simulations to improve STEM education. In R. E. Yager & M. A. Mullinnix (Eds.), Exemplary STEM programs: Designs for success. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

Conference Proceedings & Presentations

  • Dasgupta, C., Magana, A. J., & Chao, J. (2017, June). Investigating teacher’s technological pedagogical content knowledge in a CAD-enabled learning environment. Paper to be presented at the annual conference and exposition of the American Society for Engineering Education, Columbus, OH.
  • Chao, J., Xie, C., Schimpf, C., Massicotte, J., & Nourian, S. (2017, April). Empowering students to be change makers with innovative design tools. Paper to be presented at the annual international conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, San Antonio, TX.
  • Xie, C. & Chao, J. (2017, April). Assessing systems thinking using a design improvement task and CAD logs. Paper to be presented at the annual international conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, San Antonio, TX.
  • Williams, D. N., McCulloch, C., Chao, J., Danahy, E., & McGinnis-Cavanaugh, B. (2016, October). Engineering for every K-12 student: Leveraging resources, supporting collaboration. Panel presentation at the Massachusetts Science Education Leadership Conference, Marlborough, MA. (PPT)
  • Adams, R. S., Goldstein, M., Purzer, Ş., Chao, J., Xie, C., & Nourian, S. (2016). Traversing the barriers to using big data in understating how high school students design. In Design Computing and Cognition ’16 (pp. 613-631). Springer, Cham. (PDF)
  • Chao, J., Xie, C., Chen, G., Nourian, S., Goldstein, M. H., Purzer, S., & Adams, R. S. (2016, April). Assessing informed design strategies using CAD logs. Paper presented at the annual international conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, Baltimore, MD. (PPT)
  • Chao, J., Chiu, J. L., & DeJaegher, C. J. (2015, April). Effects of user interface on simulation-based science learning: Tangible user interface versus graphical user interface. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
  • DeJaegher, C. J., Chiu, J. L., & Chao, J. (2015, April). Sensor-augmented virtuality laboratories: Investigating the impact of user interface on student learning in secondary science. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
  • Chao, J., Chiu, J. L., Pan, E. A., DeJaegher, C. J., Hazzard, E., & Xie, C. (2014, April). Sensor-augmented virtual labs: Using physical interactions to promote understanding of complex science concepts. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA. (PDF)
  • DeJaegher, C. J., Chiu, J. L., & Chao, J. (2014, June). Design principles for science laboratory instruction using augmented virtual technologies. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Boulder, CO.
  • Chao, J., Chiu, J. L., DeJaegher, C. J., Hazzard, E., & Xie, C. (2013, April). The effects of mixed reality labs on students’ conceptual understanding, cognitive load, and epistemology of science. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA. (PPT)
  • Chao, J., Feldon, D. F., & Cohoon, J. P. (2013, April). Phenomenological primitives in introductory computer science students’ understanding of recursion. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, San Francisco, CA. (PPT)
  • Feldon, D. F. & Chao, J. (2013, August). Analysis of experts’ omissions during instruction: impacts on student learning and motivation. Paper presented at the 15th bienniel EARLI conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Munich, Germany.
  • Feldon, D. F., Chao, J., & Muniraj, D. (2013, April). The effects of cognitive task analysis-based instruction on students’ motivation in undergraduate biology course. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Maher, M. A., Feldon, D. F., Timmerman, B. C., & Chao, J. (2013, April). Learning to write for publication: Exposing common challenges encountered by novice doctoral writers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Chao, J., & Hurst, M. (2012, April). How attributes of researcher identity function and develop in STEM graduate student development. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Chao, J., & Feldon, D. F. (2012, March). Explaining students’ inconsistent performance on recursive programming. Poster presented at the University of Virginia Presidential Research Poster Competition (finalist), Charlottesville, VA.
  • Feldon, D. F., Chao, J., Stowe, K. A., & Showman, R. (2011, March). The effects of cognitive task analysis-based instruction on students’ retention and achievement in undergraduate biology course. Poster finalist presented at the University of Virginia Presidential Inauguration Research/Scholarship Poster Competition, Charlottesville, VA.
  • Feldon, D. F., & Chao, J. (2012, February). The effects of Cognitive Task Analysis-based instruction on students’ achievement and retention in undergraduate biology course. Paper presented at the 4th annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, Blacksburg, VA.
  • Chao, J. (2011, January). Intuit the counter-intuitive: Phenomenological primitives in understanding of recursion & Intuition-and-Analogy-based instructional cure. Paper presented at the 2nd annual Curry Research Conference, Charlottesville, VA.
  • Chao, J., & Cohoon, J. M. (2010). Can I really complete this CSE doctoral degree? Women’s confidence and self-rated abilities. In 2010 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (p. F2H–1–F2H–7). http://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2010.5673647
  • Searson, M., Bull, G., Chao, J., & Ma, J. (2008). China: Education 2.0 Tour – Applications and Effects of Virtual Tour to International Communication in Educational Technology. In K. McFerrin et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 2393-2394). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.