Regents Professor Honored as a Trailblazer in Educational Technology

Igniting Learning Through Technology: The Journey of Danielle McNamara

Reading can transport people around the world — and back and forth in time. This transformative experience is something that Dr. Danielle McNamara has dedicated her life to fostering. As the executive director and professor of the newly formed Learning Engineering Institute at Arizona State University (ASU), her pioneering work in cognition, reading comprehension, writing, and educational technology has made a lasting impact on the educational landscape.

A Distinction of Excellence

McNamara’s influence in educational innovation has earned her ASU’s highest faculty honor — the title of Regents Professor for 2026. “I was surprised — very surprised,” she remarked, reflecting on the recognition. “It’s an amazing honor.” This accolade acknowledges her tireless efforts in providing support for students facing challenges in reading and writing.

Understanding Struggles in Learning

For over three decades, McNamara has focused on developing technologies that assist students in overcoming difficulties in reading and writing comprehension. It’s essential to note that she targets not just those who are unable to read or write, but rather those who struggle to make sense of what they read or to organize their ideas effectively when writing.

“Students don’t struggle to read and write because they are not intelligent,” McNamara emphasizes. “They often just don’t have the background knowledge required.” Her mission is to bridge these educational gaps through strategic training, enabling students to learn useful comprehension and writing strategies.

From High School to College: Bridging the Educational Gap

While McNamara’s work primarily focuses on high school students transitioning into college, her reach extends to early readers and college students grappling with complex information from multiple sources. The pathway she has carved out is not just for the academically inclined but for anyone seeking to maximize their potential. Her approach recognizes that background knowledge plays a crucial role in student success.

The Technological Frontier

In her quest for educational advancement, McNamara has developed ten essential technologies that have garnered attention from researchers, educators, and students alike. One standout innovation is Coh-Metrix, a system co-developed with Art Graesser, that analyzes texts using over 100 metrics, including words, syntax, semantics, and text cohesion. These tools are not just technical marvels; they exist within a framework grounded in rigorous research on learning, cognition, and motivation.

A Journey Through Academia

McNamara’s ascent in the world of cognitive and learning sciences didn’t take a straight path. She initially pursued degrees in linguistics, clinical psychology, and cognitive science, discovering along the way that her passion lay in the intricacies of cognitive mechanisms rather than clinical practice. “I always thought I’d become a clinical psychologist, but I discovered I was not very good at it,” she shared.

Her journey began in teaching English as a second language, where her interest in education blossomed. Formal training in educational sciences, she feels, came much later when she was immersed in research funded by the McDonnell Foundation, focused on cognitive studies for educational practice.

Leading Educational Innovations

Today, McNamara is recognized as an international expert in multiple fields, including comprehension, writing, natural language processing, intelligent tutoring, and the integration of artificial intelligence in education. She has authored six influential books on reading comprehension and discourse, further solidifying her position as a thought leader in educational technology.

Among her contributions are intelligent tutoring systems like iSTART and Writing Pal, designed specifically to enhance reading comprehension and writing instruction. These innovations aim to engage students in novel ways using game-based practices and real-world classroom applications.

Creating a Collaborative Environment

Colleagues like Annie Hale praise McNamara for her leadership qualities that spark curiosity and integrity. “What stands out is her ability to translate complex cognitive science into real educational innovations,” Hale notes, highlighting how McNamara inspires those around her through collaboration and the belief in evidence-based solutions.

The Learning Engineering Institute

In 2023, McNamara founded the Learning Engineering Institute, an initiative that combines expertise from learning sciences, computer science, and instructional design. This institute aims to propel research and development that focuses on effective learning experiences, embodying what’s termed “learning engineering.”

An emerging interdisciplinary field, learning engineering integrates insights from various domains to design, implement, and evaluate educational practices that truly resonate with learners. In 2024, she received a notable $3.5 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences aimed at exploring AI-enabled learning experiences.

A Vision for Future Learning

As she moves forward, McNamara is laser-focused on scaling these technologies to enhance learning experiences for a broader audience. Her vision is to harness the power of AI and integrate transformative learning technologies that offer flexible environments for students. “Learning should be personalized to the learner, the context, and their goals,” she states confidently.

Her aspirations reflect a commitment to providing educational experiences that adapt to the needs of diverse learners, allowing for greatness whether in a traditional classroom or while commuting.

Through Danielle McNamara’s unwavering dedication, the promise of personalized education at scale inches closer to reality, opening doors for countless students eager to explore the realms of knowledge waiting just beyond the pages of a book.