I am a learning analytics researcher focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to augment human capabilities in education and drive innovation in pedagogical practices.
My most impactful work has provided foundational contributions to the field of Multimodal Learning Analytics (MmLA). This emerging field integrates advanced quantitative techniques from learning analytics with recent advancements in artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning, computer vision, speech processing, natural language processing) and smart sensors to develop and evaluate tools that enhance the awareness, self-reflection, and decision-making abilities of both students and instructors.
I began my research career as a Ph.D. student at the University of Leuven in Belgium from 2004 to 2008. After completing my Ph.D., I returned to my home country, Ecuador, where I served as a Professor at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) from 2008 to 2018. In October 2018, I transitioned to my current position as an Assistant Professor of Learning Analytics at New York University (NYU).
Augment-Ed: My Research Philosohpy and Research Group
My career has been guided by two main principles. First, I view technology as an instrument to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. Early advocates of this perspective, such as Vannevar Bush and later Douglas Engelbart, envisioned technological tools as a means of "augmenting human intellect", enabling professionals in any field to tackle complex problems beyond their unaided cognitive abilities. The second principle is the recognition that improving education—and learning in general—is one of the most pressing meta-problems of our time. Enhancing learning is crucial because addressing the world’s most significant challenges, such as inequality, poverty, climate change, and interconnected economies, requires exceptional problem-solvers. By improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and accessibility of learning experiences, we can, in turn, enhance the intellectual capabilities of those engaged in solving these complex global issues.
In line with these principles, I believe that discovering new ways in which technology can help us "get better" (augmenting) at "getting better" (learning) is the most impactful way I can contribute to improving our world. This philosophy is embodied in the name of my research group, "Augment-Ed ," and its motto: "Augmenting Human Intellect in Education."