Research

My goal as a researcher is to make mainstream CS classrooms more personally meaningful, especially for kids with limited personal connection to computing and technology.

My research is in Computer Science Education, focusing on personalizing and sustaining K-8 CS curriculum. I study the decision-making and challenges of CS teachers and develop approaches and tools to help them create customized curricular materials that fit their local contexts. I am currently exploring both static supports (scaffolding and professional development) and dynamic supports (generative AI as thought-partners and productivity tools for teachers).

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Selected Publications

More publications on Google Scholar
^† indicates conference publications
^‡ indicates book chapters and journal publications

Generative AI in Computer Science Education: Challenges and Opportunities^‡
_{Diana Franklin, Paul Denny, David Gonzalez-Maldonado, and Minh Tran}
^{Cambridge University Press, Elements in Generative AI in Education, 2025}

Can GPT Help? Supporting Teachers to Brainstorm Customized
Instructional Scratch Projects^†
_{Minh Tran, David Gonzalez-Maldonado, Elaine Zhou and Diana Franklin}
^{ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), 2025}

Harmonizing Scratch Encore: Scaffolding K-8 Teachers in
Customizing Culturally Responsive Computing Materials^†
_{Minh Tran, Heather Killen, Jen Palmer, David Weintrop, Diana Franklin}
^{ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), 2024}

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Teaching

Computers for Learning
_{Position: Co-Instructor | Instructor: Diana Franklin}
^{University of Chicago, Fall 2025}

Design For Underserved and Marginalized Communities
_{Position: Teaching Assistant | Instructor: Marshini Chetty}
^{University of Chicago, Winter 2023}

Object-Oriented Programming and Design
_{Position: Teaching Assistant | Instructor: Jonathan Misurda}
^{University of Arizona, Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021}

Algebra I/II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus
_{Position: Tutor}
^{Ironwood Ridge High School, Spring 2020}

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Get to know more about me!!!