Research
My research interest includes digital competence of pre-service and in-service teachers. To pursue this, I obtained Master's degree in AI Education from Daegu National University of Education, South Korea, and currently I am a PhD student of Learning Design and Technology at Purdue University. Recently, I have been exploring the concept of computational thinking with programming for K-12 level in terms of digital competence.
At the same time, I have been actively involved in the NSF (National Science Foundation) project as a Research Assistant since 2023. This includes contributing to the development of assessment questions aligned with subject matter experts' opinions for the Cyber Training for Open Science in Climate, Water, and Environmental Sustainability initiative. Additionally, I have participated in a learning module design for the NSUE-MOOC (Nurses' Substance Use Education Through an Open, Online Massive Course) in collaboration with stakeholders.
Research Experience
Purdue University (IN, United States) / Graduate Assistant
2024 - Present
- Participated as a Graduate Research Assistant, contributing to research design, data analysis, and collaborative scholarly activities within the project.
- Worked on AI projects/courses under the direction of Professor William Watson.
- Assisted with the Purdue AI in P-12 Education Conference by reviewing presentation submissions and supporting conference preparation.
Purdue University (IN, United States) / Research Assistant
2023 - Present
- Participated in a VR Classroom Management project, assisting Dr. Wanju Huang in applying an immersive training tool for pre-service teachers while also mentoring undergraduate research students throughout the project.
- Participated in a research study, Investigating Barriers to Implementing Artificial Intelligence in K-12 (IRB-2022-1376). Conducted virtual interviews with eight teachers in South Korea and analyzed the data.
- Participated in C.A.R.E. (Computer science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Emerging Technologies) Lab Project.
- Participated in collaborative research: Cyber Training for Open Science in Climate, Water and Environmental Sustainability.
- Participated in a course design research: NSUE-MOOC: Nurses' Substance Use Education Through an Open, Online Massive Course.
DNUE, Artificial Intelligence Education Lab (Daegu, South Korea) / Researcher
2021 - 2023
- Research focused on building the foundation for Artificial Intelligence Education through software development and data-based problem-solving skills.
- Developed an application with Excel (Visual Basic) and Python for managing students' holistic information database to improve learning contexts.
- Developed an application using Unity's 2D development tool, which can help to measure the area of flat figures directly or indirectly, such as circle, square, triangle and, etc.
- Developed a three-dimensional application based on Unity Platform for allowing students to discuss 3D shapes while communicating in a blended environment.
- Developed mathematical multiplication learning application based on Flutter and Google Sheets API to extract students' learning data and automatically provides customized feedback to students.
- Developed Virtual Reality application based on Unity Platform with VR interactive tool kit to help students experience and prevent safety accidents in advance that may occur at school.
DNUE, Metaverse Research Team (Daegu, South Korea) / Co-Researcher
2022 - 2023
- Research various development tools and platforms to find educational content related to the metaverse environment.
- Investigated and organized existing research data to find a metaverse learning environment.
- Studied various development tools, such as Unity, Blender, to create applications to interoperate with metaverse environments.
DNUE, School Policy Research Team (Daegu, South Korea) / Assistant Researcher
2021 - 2022
- Research on ways to activate study courses and special courses at the Graduate School of Education.
- Reviewed the graduate school of education course and regulations and reorganized the relevant regulations for operating the graduate school of education research and special courses.
- Laid the foundation for practical operation through literature research and expert consultation so that research and special courses such as linking with the Office of Education can continue and be activated in the long term.
Wolam Elementary School (Daegu, South Korea) / Teacher-Researcher
2019 - 2020
- Conducted research based on the necessity of direct experiences in the school field.
- Establishment and utilization of databases to properly operate a large-scale school curriculum.
- Developed a student group formation application with JavaScript and Python for a better learning environment based on the database of students' characteristics.
Publications
- Bae, Y., Kang, S. (2025). Research on Digital Education. The KAIE Research Journal, 3(2), 149-157.
- Bae, Y., Kang, S. (2024). A study on educational content in metaverse environment. The KAIE Research Journal, 2(3), 477-482.
- Kang, S., Park, P., & Bae, Y. (2022). Development of cloud-based multiplication practice application using data visualization. Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education, 26(4), 285-293.
- Kang, S., Park, P., Kim, W., & Bae, Y. (2022). Case study of information curriculum for upper-grade students of elementary school. Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education, 26(4), 229-238.
- Kang, S., Bae, Y., & Park, P. (2022). Proposal of VR content production direction based on unity platform for school safety accident prevention education. The KAIE Research Journal, 13(2), 17-24.
- Kang, S., Park, P., & Bae, Y. (2022). A Study on Unity platform usability in elementary education fields. The KAIE Research Journal, 13(2), 9-16.
- Bae, Y., & Kang, S. (2022). A study on the educational network for creating an effective learning environment. The KAIE Research Journal, 13(1), 117-123.
Books
- Bae, Y., & Kang, S. (2024). Digital empowerment and content development for digital education with Unity, Blender, Metaverse. Hongpub, 406.
- Lee, J., Lee, Y., Park, S., Han, K., Bae, Y., Kang, S., & et al. (2021). Artificial intelligence classroom with Entry. Hongpub, 373.
Presentations
- Kang, S., & Huang, W. (2025, November 10). Coding and Computational Thinking with Micro:bit and GenAI [Conference presentation]. Purdue AI in P-12 Education Conference, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
- Kang, S., & Huang, W. (2025, October 21). Robot Olympics: Engaging in Coding and Computational Thinking through Project-Based Learning in K-12 Education. [Conference presentation]. 2025 Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, United States. https://www.aect.org/
- Huang, W., Watson, S., Hsieh, C., Kang, S., Watson, W., & Yu, W. (2025, April 28). AI integration barriers in K-12 education: South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States [Conference presentation]. 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, United States. https://www.aera.net/
- Kang, S. (2025, February 7). Unleashing Potential: Coding and Computational Thinking with GenAI [presentation]. Purdue Power Friday, West Lafayette, IN, United States. https://education.purdue.edu/events/power-friday-ai-in-education/
- Kang, S., Huang, W., Watson, S., Hsieh, C.-J., Watson, W. R., & Yu, W. (2024, November 11). A Comparative Study of AI Integration Barriers in K-12 Education in South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States [Conference presentation]. Purdue AI in P-12 Education Conference, West Lafayette, IN, United States. https://web.cvent.com/event/5e3c64a7-41cb-4c44-9ac5-fe69c2449b59/websitePage:645d57e4-75eb-4769-b2c0-f201a0bfc6ce?i=gDzrjGl6o0qg--lkxySY9w&locale=en-US
- Yu, W., Watson, S. L., Kang, S., Huang, W., Hsieh, C.-J., & Watson, W. R. (2024, November 11). AI integration in K-12 education: South Korean teachers' perspectives [Conference presentation]. Purdue AI in P-12 Education Conference, West Lafayette, IN, United States. https://web.cvent.com/event/5e3c64a7-41cb-4c44-9ac5-fe69c2449b59/websitePage:645d57e4-75eb-4769-b2c0-f201a0bfc6ce?i=gDzrjGl6o0qg--lkxySY9w&locale=en-US
- Kang, S., & Yu, W. (2024, July 18). Successful CS Integration with Project Based Learning [Conference presentation]. 2024 CSTA annual conference in Las Vegas. https://conference.csteachers.org/event/f0c0e0a8-5ac1-4333-90c9-2eab9723af76/websitePage:03ec16c0-72ae-4baf-9e20-c727f880b8d1
- Yu, W., & Kang, S. (2024, July 18). Support AI-Integrated Teaching and Learning: Lessons from South Korea [Conference presentation]. 2024 CSTA annual conference in Las Vegas. https://conference.csteachers.org/event/f0c0e0a8-5ac1-4333-90c9-2eab9723af76/websitePage:03ec16c0-72ae-4baf-9e20-c727f880b8d1
- Kang, S. (2024, April 14). Exploring the Impact: Teachers' Perspective on Digital Competence Through Digital Content Creation [Conference presentation]. 2024 AERA annual meeting in Philadelphia. https://www.aera.net/
- Kang, S. (2024, March 29). AI-Powered Digital Application Creation for Teachers' Digital Competence. Presentation at the Annual Graduate Student Education Research Symposium (AGSERS) at Purdue University. https://purduegsec.weebly.com/agsers-2024.html
- Kang, S., & Yu, W. (2024, February 29). Reflection on the Growth of Graduate Students: From Engagement & Service- Learning Experiences. Presentation at the engagement and service-learning summit at Purdue University. https://www.purdue.edu/engagement/showcase-2024-presentations/
- Yu, W., Kang, S., & Huang, W. (2023, December 1). CARE (computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technologies) @ Purdue [Conference presentation]. Trustworthy AI Lab for Education Summit, South Bend, IN, United States. https://lucyinstitute.nd.edu/trustworthy-ai-lab-for-education-summit/
🟩Click the pictures to see the slides
Awards and Scholarships
- The 1st Korea Information Education Award, The Ministry of Education in South Korea (2021)
- The 36th Elementary School Teacher Class Presentation Contest Award, Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education (2021)
- The 51th National Educational Materials Exhibition Award, Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (2020)
- The 40th Daegu Metropolitan City Educational Materials Exhibition Award, Daegu Metropolitan City Superintendent of Education (2020)
- Certificate of commendation for Regional Education Emphasis Promotion, Daegu Nambu Office of Education (2020)
- Scholarship of artificial intelligence convergence education in connection with the Graduate School of Education, Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education (2020)
- National excellent scholarship in science and engineering, Korea Student Aid Foundation (2005)