Research

Research

My research sits at the intersection of learning sciences, game-based learning, and human-computer interaction. I study how learners construct knowledge, develop higher-order thinking skills, and engage with interactive learning environments. My current work examines GenAI-supported learning experiences, particularly learning by design and co-designing with GenAI.

Publications

Previously published as Deniz Celik.

Under review

Ercan, D., & Rahimi, S. (under review). Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in STEM Learning Games: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., & Shute, V. J. (under review). Stealth assessments in technology-rich learning environments: A systematic review of implementation, modeling, and psychometric quality. [Preprint]

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., & Gao, R. (under review). Doing Better Things Rather Than Doing Things Better with Generative AI: Scaling Design- and Implementation-Intensive Pedagogies through a Human-in-the-Loop Approach.

Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., & Gao, R. (under review). Game-based classroom assessments for learning: Connecting play, learning, and evidence. [Book chapter]

In press

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., Gao, R., & Keawphonkrang, S. (in press). Designing digital games to foster growth mindset in PreK–12 education: A systematic review. [Preprint]

2026

Rahimi, S., Li, H., Esmaeiligouyar, S., Ercan, D., & Botelho, A. (2026). A rubric-guided multimodal approach using high-capacity LLMs provides psychometrically sound creativity assessment in learning games. Creativity Research Journal.

Ercan, D., & Rahimi, S. (2026, June 15–19). How generative AI is used in learning games: A systematic scoping review in K–12 settings [Poster presentation]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ISLS), Irvine, CA, United States.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2026, June 15–19). Small vs. large language models: Comparing language models in generating productive failure math problems [Paper presentation]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ISLS), Irvine, CA, United States.

Rahimi, S., Li, H., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Ercan, D. (2026, June 15–19). Rubric-guided generative AI for scalable creativity assessment in educational games [Poster presentation]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ISLS), Irvine, CA, United States.

2025

Gao, R., Kao, Y. C., Ma, C., Zheng, Y., Ercan, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Huang, R. (2025, December). GeoQuest: Prototyping a mobile game for geography learning with game-based and design thinking approaches [Poster presentation]. Joint Conference on Serious Games (JCSG), Rotkreuz, Switzerland.

Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., Gao, R., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Babaee, M., Li, H., Zhang, S., Lee, S., Closser, A., & Botelho, A. F. (2025, July). ProductiveMath: A generative-AI-powered app to support productive failure teaching [Poster presentation]. 26th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED 2025), Palermo, Italy. (Acceptance rate: <16%; Nominated for Best Poster Award)

Ercan, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Rahimi, S. (2025, June). Improving Pre-K–12 students’ executive functions using digital games: A systematic review [Paper presentation]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ISLS 2025), Helsinki, Finland.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Gao, R., Ercan, D., & Keawphonkrang, S. (2025, June). The effects of digital games on Pre-K–12 students’ growth mindset: A systematic review [Paper presentation]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ISLS 2025), Helsinki, Finland.

2022

Ercan, D., Ozdemir, H., Kaya, A., Köseoglu, B., Turk, E., Zabzun, G., Ilgun-Cerci, S., Durak, T., & Sarsar, F. (2022). The Engineering Education Research Trends in Turkey: A content analysis of the Covid Pandemic in March 2020–December 2021. In Proceedings of the 4th International Instructional Technologies in Engineering Education Symposium, Izmir, Turkiye.

2021

Kirmiziyuz, E., Ercan, D., & Bilgin, C. U. (2021). Designing, developing, and implementing an educational mobile game on electrical energy conversion and recycling. Yıldız Journal of Educational Research, 6(1), 48–60.

Presentations & Invited Talks

2026

Ercan, D. (2026, September 26). Connecting the Dots: My Research Journey in Educational Technology. [Invited talk] LEAP Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, United States.

Ercan, D., & Rahimi, S. (2026, April 2). Mapping the role of generative AI in STEM learning games: A systematic scoping review [Roundtable presentation]. University of Florida College of Education Research Symposium, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Ercan, D., & Rahimi, S. (2026, April 7). Mapping the role of generative AI in STEM learning games: A systematic scoping review [Poster presentation]. University of Florida Graduate Student Research Day, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Ercan, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Gao, R. (2026, March 26–27). The Grand Glitch Hotel: Designing and Prototyping a Digital Learning Game for Artificial Intelligence Literacy [Roundtable presentation]. National AI Literacy Day, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Rahimi, S., Babaee, M., Esmaeilgoujar, S.,Ercan, D., & Gao, R. (2026, April). Supporting future-ready math classrooms with ProductiveMath: A web-based, human-in-the-loop generative AI tool [Roundtable presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting 2026, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Rahimi, S., Babaee, M., Esmaeiligoujar, S.,Ercan, D., Gao, R. (2026, June 15–19). ProductiveMath: A research-driven, AI-powered platform for teacher-generated productive failure problems [Demonstration]. International Society of the Learning Sciences Annual Meeting (ICLS 2026), Irvine, CA, United States.

2025

Rahimi, S., Smaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., Gao, R., & Babaee, M. (2025, November). Small vs. Large Language Models: Comparing Language Models in Generating Productive Failure Math Problems [Paper presentation]. 9th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association (FERA), Fort Myers, FL, United States.

Rahimi, S., Smaeiligoujar, S., Ercan, D., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2025, November). ProductiveMath: A Human-in-the-Loop AI Web-based Application to Support Teachers When in Productive Failure Teaching in Algebra [Paper presentation]. 9th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association (FERA), Fort Myers, FL, United States.

Ercan, D., Rahimi, S., Esmaeilgoujar, S., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2025, November). Designing an AI-powered platform to support teachers in creating algebra problems for productive failure teaching in K–12 classes [Poster presentation]. 9th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association (FERA), Fort Myers, FL, United States. Best Graduate Student Poster Award.

Smaeiligoujar, S., Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2025, November). Exploring Novel Research Trends in Graduate Student Posters [Poster presentation]. 9th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association (FERA), Fort Myers, FL, United States.

Babaee, M., Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., Smaeiligoujar, S., & Gao, R. (2025, November). Designing a Professional Development Workshop on Productive Failure For Math Teachers Based on Learning Experience Design Method [Poster presentation]. 9th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association (FERA), Fort Myers, FL, United States.

Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Gao, R., Celik, D., Li, H., & Botelho, A. F. (2025, April). Supporting teachers to prepare for productive failure using an AI-powered algebra problem generator [Poster presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting 2025, Denver, CO, USA.

Rahimi, S., Celik, D., Gao, R., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Li, H., & Botelho, A. F. (2025, April). Using generative AI for automated human-creativity assessment and machine creativity in a sandbox game [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting 2025, Denver, CO, USA.

Ercan, D., Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2025, April). Designing and prototyping an AI-powered web-based platform to support teachers in the productive failure method [Poster presentation]. University of Florida Graduate Student Research Day, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Esmaeiligoujar, S., Rahimi, S., Gao, R., Ercan, D., & Babaee, M. (2025, April). Towards better failure: Developing a rubric for algebra problem design [Poster presentation]. University of Florida Graduate Student Research Day, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Babaee, M., Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., & Gao, R. (2025, April). From struggle to success: A professional development on productive failure for math educators [Poster presentation]. University of Florida Graduate Student Research Day, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Ercan, D., Rahimi, S., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Babaee, M., & Gao, R. (2025, March). Fail forward: Designing a platform to support productive failure in the classroom [Paper presentation]. University of Florida College of Education Research Symposium, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Esmaeiligoujar, S., Rahimi, S., Gao, R., Ercan, D., & Babaee, M. (2025, March). Designing a rubric for assessing productive failure problems in algebra [Paper presentation]. University of Florida College of Education Research Symposium, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Babaee, M., Rahimi, S., Ercan, D., & Esmaeiligoujar, S. (2025, March). From Struggle to Success: A Professional Development on Productive Failure For Math Educators [Paper presentation]. University of Florida College of Education Research Symposium, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Rahimi, S., Li, H., Celik, D., Esmaeiligoujar, S., Gao, R., & Botelho, A. F. (2025, March). An Automated Human-Creativity Assessment and Machine Creativity in a Sandbox Game Using Generative AI [Paper presentation]. Society for Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts Annual Conference (APA Division 10), New Haven, CT, USA.

2024

DeLeon, J., Dunn, I., & Celik, D. (2024). Gamify to Amplify: Boosting Anatomy Mastery with Flashcards for Graduate Students [Poster presentation]. University of Florida College of Medicine Celebration of Research Day, Gainesville, FL.

DeLeon, J., Dunn, I., & Celik, D. (2024). Gamify to Amplify: Boosting Anatomy Mastery with Flashcards for Graduate Students [Poster presentation]. Regional AAA Conference, Birmingham, AL.

DeLeon, J., Dunn, I., & Celik, D. (2024). Gamify to Amplify: Boosting Anatomy Mastery with Flashcards for Graduate Students [Paper presentation]. Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), Kansas City, MO.