Minh Tran
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 work explores how to leverage community knowledge to develop educational resources and tools that help make computer science instruction more effective and engaging, especially at the K-12 level.
In my dissertation work, I conduct participatory design research with computer science teachers to (1) understand their challenges and metacognitive process to create and implement classroom-level customized instruction, (2) integrate teachers’ knowledge to develop an AI-powered tool for curriculum customization, and (3) study the impacts of such tool on teachers’ practices and classroom dynamics.
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)