Directory » KAUSALAI WIJEKUMAR
420C
845-8384
My goal is to ensure every child in our global society has an outstanding opportunity to succeed by providing them evidence-based instruction in all their subjects. I develop and test intelligent tutoring systems to reach children far and wide. Recently, I have worked to extend the intelligent tutoring platform to provide professional development for teachers and administrators. Throughout my career I have had an unwavering focus on improving the educational experiences for all children regardless of color, socioeconomic level, or learning challenges. Our resources and tools are currently available in English and Spanish. The authoring tools support the extension of our learning tools to any language.
GRANTS
Dr. Wijekumar's Grant Activity - Selected Grants
Wijekumar, K., McKeown, D., Thompson, J., Joshi, R.M. (2018-2022). Promoting improvements in teacher quality through massively open online professional development. U423A180074 U.S. Department of Education $7.5 million
Wijekumar, K., Harris, K., Graham, S., McKeown, D. (2018-2022). Efficacy of a web-based writing partner (We-Write Persuasively) to improve writing persuasive essays for 5th grade students. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, Goal 3 Efficacy, $3.29 Million
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P., & Hernandez,A. (2018-2022). Efficacy trials for the Web-Based Adaptive Tutoring for EL Learners (SWELL). U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, Goal 3 Efficacy, $3.29 million
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., & Lei, P. (2015-2020). Efficacy and Replication Trial of the Individualized Adaptive ITSS with 4th- and 5th-Grade Students in High Poverty Schools. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. $3.5 million
Thompson, J.T., Wijekumar, K., Castro-Olivio, S. (2016-17). Technology-Delivered Emergent Literacy Assessment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Texas Grant. $25,000.
Wijekumar, K., Harris, K., Graham, S., Meyer, B.J.F., & Lei, P. (2013-2016). Development of a web-based writing partner (We-Write Persuasively) to improve writing persuasive essays for 5th grade students. $1.5 million. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P., Schwarz,A. & August, D. (2012-2015). Improving Reading Comprehension of Middle Grades English Language Learners by Combining Structure Strategy with Web-Based Adaptive Tutoring for EL Learners (SWELL). U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences $1.5 million.
Wijekumar, K. , Meyer, B.J.F., & Lei, P. (2008-2013). Efficacy and Replication Research on the Intelligent Tutoring System for the Structure Strategy -- Rural and Suburban Schools Grades 4,5,7 and 8. US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. R305A080133. $3 million.
Wijekumar, K. & Hitchcock, J. (2007-2009). Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial on Odyssey Math in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Regional Educational Laboratory [150] Mid-Atlantic, U.S. Department of Education. $3.6 Million
Peck, K. Terenzini, P., Wijekumar, K., Clariana, R., Van Horn, B., Prinz, E., Boyd, W., Cecil, H., Hartman, W., Hold, M.K., Hughes, C. Johnson, K., LeTendre, G., Melnick, S., Meyer, B.J.M., Nelson, K. (2006-2011) Mid-Atlantic Collab
COURSES TAUGHT
EDCI684. PROF INTERNSHIP
2018C,2017B
EDCI685. DIRECTED STUDIES
2015C
EDCI686. RSCH MTHDS IN EDCI I
2018C
EDCI689. SPECIAL TOPICS IN
2017A,2015A
RDNG372. RDNG WRTNG IN MIDG CURR
2020A
RDNG468. ESSEN FOUND LANG LITERACY
2019C
RDNG604. RDNG DIAGNOSIS
2020A
RDNG649. RDNG INST HIGH SCH COL
2018A
FORMER DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Sungyoon Lee (Summer 2019)
Amanda Layne Linder (Summer 2018)
Andrea Lynne Beerwinkle (Summer 2018)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Books and Monographs
Wijekumar, K. & Meyer, B. J. F. (2012). Comprehension using the strategic organization of text aided by a Web-based intelligent tutoring system: A text and computer based mindtool. In J. M. Spector, B. B. Lockee, S. E. Smaldino, & M. C. Herring. Learning, Problem Solving, and Mind Tools. New York, NY: Routledge Publishers [8211] Taylor & Francis Group
Journal Articles
Graham, S., Wijekumar, K., Harris, K.R., Lei, P., Fishman, E., Ray, A., & Houston, J. (2019). Writing skills, knowledge, motivation, and strategic behavior predict students[48]19 persuasive writing performance in the context of robust writing instruction. Elementary School Journal.
Wijekumar, K., Beerwinkle, A., Joshi, R.M. (2019). Etiology of teacher knowledge and instructional skills for literacy at the upper elementary grades, Annals of Dyslexia. 69(1), 5-20, DOI: 10.1007/s11881-018-00170-6
Wijekumar, K., Graham, S., Harris, K.R., Lei, P., Barkel, A., Aitken, A., Ray, A., & Houston, J. (2019). The roles of writing knowledge, motivation, strategic behaviors, and skills in predicting elementary students[48]19 persuasive writing from source material. Reading & Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal.
Xu, Z., Banerjee M., Ramirez G., Zhu G., & Wijekumar K. (2019). The effectiveness of educational technology applications on adult English language learners[48]19 writing quality: A meta-analysis. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 32, 132-162. DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2018.1501069 (IF 2017: 1.928)
Xu, Z., Wijekumar, K., Ramirez, G., Hu. X., & Irey, R. (2019). The effectiveness of intelligent tutoring systems on k-12 students[48]19 reading comprehension: A meta-analysis. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50, 3119-3137. (IF 2017: 2.729)
Beerwinkle, A., Wijekumar, K., Walpole, S. & Aguis, R. (2018). An Analysis of the Ecological Components within a Text Structure Intervention, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal , 31,9: 2041-2064.
Ji, Xuejuen, Beerwinkle, A. & Wijekumar, K. (2018). Using Latent Transition Model to Identify Effects of an Intelligent Tutoring System on Reading Comprehension, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, , 31,9: 2095-2113.
Meyer, B.J.F.,& Wijekumar, K. (2018) Comparative Signaling Words Generated for Expository Texts by 4th - 8th Graders: Variations by Reading Comprehension Levels and Text Structure Strategy Intervention, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, , 31,9: 1937-1968
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P-W, Hernandez, A., August, D. (2018). Effects of web-based text structure instruction for 4-6th grade Spanish Els reading comprehension. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 31,9: 1969-1996.
Wijekumar, K., Rolando, J., Barnes, R., & Winso, J. (2018). Virtual Reality Instruction for First Responders. Professional Safety. December.
Xu, Z., Banerjee, M., Ramirez, G., Zhu, G., & Wijekumar, K. (2018) The effectiveness of educational technology applications on adult English language learners[48]19 writing quality: a meta-analysis, Computer Assisted Language Learning, DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2018.1501069
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B. J. F., & Lei, P. (2017). Web-based text structure strategy instruction improves seventh graders[48]19 content area reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology, 109(6), 741-760. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/edu0000168
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P., Xuejun, Ji., & Joshi, R.M. (2017). Evidence of an Intelligent Tutoring System as a Mindtool to Promote Strategic Memory of Expository Texts and Comprehension with Children in Grades 4 and 5. Journal of Educational Computing Research. 55, 1022-1048. doi.org/10.1177/0735633117696909 IF 0.678
Xi, Z., Wijekumar, K., & Anderson, B. (in press), The Effectiveness of Intelligent Tutoring Systems on K-12 Students[48]19 Reading Comprehension: A Best-Evidence Synthesis. Journal of Educational Psychology
Meyer, B. J. F., & Wijekumar, K. K., (2014). Why fifth- and seventh- graders submit off-task responses to a web-based reading comprehension tutor rather than expected learning responses. Computers & Education (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.02.013
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P.-W, Lin, Y., Johnson, L.A., Shurmatz, K., Spielvogel, J., Ray,M, & Cook, M. (2014). Improving reading comprehension for 5th grade readers in rural and suburban schools using web-based intelligent tutoring systems. Journal of Research in Educational Effectiveness, 7:4, 331-357, DOI: 10.1080/19345747.2013.853333
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P.-W. (2013). High-fidelity implementation of web-based intelligent tutoring system improves fourth and fifth graders content area reading comprehension. Computers & Education, 68, 366-379
Wijekumar, K., & Forlenza. (2012). Education Practitioners[8217] Consumption of Research. Journal of the Pennsylvania Association for Curriculum Development
Wijekumar, K., Meyer, B.J.F., Lei, P. (2012). Large-scale randomized controlled trial with 4th graders using intelligent tutoring of the structure strategy to improve nonfiction reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Technology Research and Development. 60, 987-1013.
Meyer, B.J.F., Wijekumar, K. K., & Lin, Y. (2011). Individualizing a Web-Based Structure Strategy Intervention for Fifth Graders[8217] Comprehension of Nonfiction. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103 (1), 140-168
Book Chapters
Wijekumar, Meyer, Lei, Beerwinkle, (2017). Improving Content Area Reading Comprehension with 4th and 5th Grade Struggling Readers with a Web-Based Intelligent Tutoring System, Journal of Learning Disabilities
Meyer, B.J.F. & Wijekumar, K. (2016). Web-based intelligent tutoring for the structure strategy. In S. Crossley & D. S. McNamara (Eds.) Adaptive Educational Technologies for Literacy Instruction. New York, NY: Routledge Publishers [48]13 Taylor & Francis Group.
Wijekumar, K. Harris, K., Graham, S., & Meyer, B.J.F.(2016). We-Write: A Teacher and Technology Supported Persuasive Writing Tutor for Upper Elementary Students. In S. Crossley & D. S. McNamara (Eds.) Adaptive Educational Technologies for Literacy Instruction. New York, NY: Routledge Publishers [48]13 Taylor & Francis Group.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation Expansion
Our goal is to improve reading comprehension for children of all ages using the evidence-based text structure strategy to promote selection and encoding of powerful memory of text.
Literacy IO
Literacy IO
Leadership in Technology Applications to Improve Outcomes for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs (Project TApp)
Career Development in Language and Literacy Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Co-I (). US Department of Education - Institute of Education Sciences (Federal)
2019-07-01 — 2023-06-30
2019-07-01 — 2023-06-30
Development of Foundational Literacy Skills to Kindergarten and Grade-1 Children in High-poverty (Low SES) Schools through Systematic, Explicit, and Multisensory Instruction
Co-PI (). US Department of Education - Institute of Education Sciences (Federal)
2019-07-01 — 2023-06-30
2019-07-01 — 2023-06-30
Longitudinally Exploring Effects of Language Learning on Reading, Executive Function, and Dispositions of Elementary Students (LEELLE)
Promoting Reading Comprehension and Learning with Multimodal Science Texts (PRISM)
Increasing Emergent Literacy and Language Through Story-based Instruction for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are Pre-verbal
Co-I (). US Department of Education - Institute of Education Sciences (Federal)
2018-08-01 — 2021-07-31
2018-08-01 — 2021-07-31
Efficacy of a web-based writing partner (We-Write Persuasively) to improve writing persuasive essays for 5th grade students
Efficacy trials for the Web-Based Adaptive Tutoring for EL Learners (SWELL).
Promoting Improvements in Teacher Quality Through Massively Open Online Professional Development
Promoting Reading Comprehension and Learning with Multimodal Science Texts (PRISM)
Science Reading Instruction Utilizing Text Structures and Visualization (SRUTI)
Catapult Round 4 - Promoting Reading Comprehension and Learning with Multimodal Science Texts (PRISM) ($30,000)
English Learners[8217] Support for Writing Achievement (ELSA)
PESCA: Technology-Delivered Emergent Literacy Assessment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Catapult Round 1 - Transformers: Research to Practice Center (Funded amount $18,200)
Efficacy and Replication Trial of the Individualized Adaptive ITSS with 4th and 5th Grade Students in High Poverty Schools
Teacher Education Transformation & Research Vision: 4 Cs ($26,200)
Improving Reading Comprehension of Middle Grades English Language Learners by Combining Structure Strategy with Web-Based Adaptive Tutoring for ESL Learners (SWELL)
Development of a Web-based Writing Partner (We-Write Persuasively) to Improve Writing Persuasive Essays for 5th Grade Students
AWARDS
Chancellor's EDGES Fellow
AFS Outstanding Researcher Award 2022
EDITORSHIPS
Editorial Board Member. Reading and Writing (2018)
Associate Editor. Journal of Educational Psychology (2014)
Editorial Board Member. Educational Technology Research and Development (2018)
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Director Center for Urban School Partnerships.
Chair, APA Division 15 conference - August 2017 (2017)