Minh Tran
made with Scratch
I'm a Computer Science PhD student at the University of Chicago, advised by Professor Diana Franklin. Previously, I graduated with a dual degree in Computer Science and Psychology from the University of Arizona.
Research
My research focuses on how to make computer science (CS) more approachable for students in mixed-background classrooms while keeping teacher workloads manageable.
I conduct design-based research with in-service elementary and middle school teachers to help them create and implement CS instructional materials that are tailored to the characteristics of their students and local communities. I use participatory design to identify challenges teachers face and develop professional development to provide teachers with both cognitive and practical support – such as metacognitive scaffolding and instructional design strategies.
Currently, I am exploring how to responsibly design and develop AI-powered tools to help teachers dynamically create high-quality, customized CS instructional materials for their classrooms, and studying how such technologies can impact teachers’ classroom preparation and teaching practices.
Selected Publications
More publications on Google Scholar
* denotes equal contribution
Conjuror: A GenAI-powered Tool to Support Teachers Customizing a Scratch Curriculum
Minh Tran*, David Gonzalez-Maldonado*, Diana Franklin
[Accepted to] ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), 2026 (Preliminary findings published at SIGCSE 2026: Poster | Writeup)
Can GPT Help? Supporting Teachers to Brainstorm Customized
Instructional Scratch Projects
Minh Tran, David Gonzalez-Maldonado, Elaine Zhou, 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
Teaching
Creating Computer Games for Learning
Position: Instructor of Record
University of Chicago (Summer 2026, Pre-College Program)
Computers for Learning
Position: Teaching Assistant / 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)