Research, for me, refers to a study of whether instructional methods are appropriate for different scenarios, how suitable they are in enhancing the learning experience of learners, do they achieve the learning objectives, and how they can be improved further. In addition, research helps me to connect instructional methods to existing learning and instructional theories, and to explore and investigate for better ways to apply my new knowledge. I am always looking for affordable or free technology tools that can be adapted into an educational technology tool.

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Research Publications

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Janakiraman, S., Sabin, M., Exter, M., & Duan, S. (2025). Preliminary Results from a Systematic Literature Review on Computing Competencies Valued in the Workplace. ACM Transactions on Computing Education. https://doi.org/10.1145/3785359

 

Janakiraman, S., Dazzeo, R., & Oshiro, S. (2025). Creating STEM-Focused Interactive Storybooks: A Case Study on Instructional Design Service Learning. Journal of Experiential Education, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538259251386781

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Janakiraman, S., Koehler, A.A. (2025). Effectiveness of gamification on team building activities to improve student learning experiences in online courses. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-025-09470-4

 

Richardson, J. C., Castellanos-Reyes, D., Janakiraman, S., & Duha, M. S. U. (2025). Using design-based research to gauge the impact of an open educational resource repository to support online teaching and learning. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-025-09483-z

 

Huang, W., Janakiraman, S., Ilobinso, A., & Slijepcevic, N. (2025). “Wow! This Is So Cool”: Learning Spanish with Augmented Reality. Education Sciences, 15(3), 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15030379
 

Huang, W., & Janakiraman, S. (2024). Enhancing learning and attitude toward statistics with a microlearning approach using an animated video. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 1-26.

 

Duan, S., Exter, M., Tagare, D., Sabin, M, Janakiraman, S. (2024). Essential Competencies for Computing Managers: Skills and Dispositions. Education and Information Technologies, special issue, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11869-4

 

Watson, S. L., Watson, W. R., Huang, W., Janakiraman, S., & Dufault, K. H. . (2023). Student Attitudes Toward Digital Badges for Instructional Design Competency-Based Education. Social Education Research, 4(2), 307–326. https://doi.org/10.37256/ser.4220233027

 

Richardson, J. C., Castellanos Reyes, D., Janakiraman, S., & Duha, M. S. U. (2023). The Process of Developing a Digital Repository for Online Teaching Using Design-Based Research. TechTrends, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00795-w

 

Richardson, J. C., Castellanos Reyes, D., Janakiraman, S., & Duha, M. S. U. (2022). The Process of Developing a Digital Repository for Online Teaching Using Design-Based Research. TechTrends, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00795-w

 

Koehler, A., Cheng, Z., Fiock, H., Wang, H., Janakiraman, S., & Chartier, K. (2022). Examining students’ use of online case-based discussions to support problem solving: Considering individual and collaborative experiences. Computers & Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104407

 

Janakiraman, S. (2021). Using digital games in virtual classrooms to make attitudinal learning motivating and engaging. In Handbook of Research on Transforming Teachers’ Online Pedagogical Reasoning for Engaging K-12 Students in Virtual Learning (pp. 236-258). IGI Global.

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L., Watson, W.R., & Newby, T. (2021). Exploring the Effectiveness of Digital Games in Producing Attitudinal Learning in Environmental Sustainability Education: A Mixed Methods Study. Computers and Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104043

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L., & Watson, W.R., (2021). Effectiveness of digital games in converting eco-awareness to pro-environmental behaviors when played collaboratively and individually: A mixed methods study in India. TechTrends, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-020-00571-8

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L., Watson, W.R., & Cheng, Z. (2021). Creating environmentally conscious engineering professionals through attitudinal instruction: A mixed methods study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 125957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125957

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L., Watson, W.R., & Shepardson, D. (2021). Influence of digital games on pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors: A mixed methods study in India using the new ecological paradigm scale. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408221997844

 

Koehler, A., Cheng, Z., Fiock, H., Janakiraman, S. & Wang, H. (2020). Asynchronous online discussions during case-based learning: A problem-solving process. Online Learning Journal.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24059/olj.v24i4.2332

 

Caskurlu, S., Richardson, J., Alamri, H., Chartier, K., & Farmer, T., Janakiraman, S., Strait, M., Yang, M. (2020). Cognitive Load and Online Course Quality: Insights from Instructional Designers in a Higher Education Context. British Journal of Educational Technology.

https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13043  

 

Watson, W. R., Watson, S. L., Fehrman, S. E., Yu, J. H., & Janakiraman, S. (2020). Examining international students’ attitudinal learning in a higher education course on cultural and language learning. Journal of International Students, 10(3). https://www.ojed.org/index.php/jis/article/view/1083/1124

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, W.R., & Watson, S.L., Bawa, P. (2019). Instructional strategies for           producing attitude change in a multicultural education course: A qualitative case study.        Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 9(1), 300-315. DOI:10.5590/JERAP.2019.09.1.21   

 

Cheng, Z., Watson, S.L., Watson, W.R., & Janakiraman, S. (2019). Attitudinal learning in large-      enrollment classrooms: A case study. TechTrends, 1-14. Doi:10.1007/s11528-019-00462-7

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L. & Watson, W.R. (2018). Adult learners use of self-directed learning strategies in a massive open online course. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 13(2), 122-133.

 

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S.L. & Watson, W.R. (2018). Using game-based learning to facilitate attitude change for environmental sustainability. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 12(2), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408218783286

 

Watson, S. L., Yu, J., Watson, W. R., Caskurla, S., Janakiraman, S., & Fiock, H. S. (2018). Watson, S. L., Watson, W. R., Yu, J. H., Caskurlu, S., Janakiraman, S., & Fiock, H. (2018). Attitudinal learning and its relation to gender, age, ethnicity, enrolment purpose, and most impactful learning activity in a science of happiness MOOC. International Journal of Learning Technology, 13(4), 306-326. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLT.2018.091632

 

Watson, S. L., Watson, W. R., Janakiraman, S. & Richardson, J. (2017). A team of instructors’ use of social presence, teaching presence and attitudinal dissonance: An animal behavior and welfare MOOC. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 18 (2), 69-90. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i2.2663

 

Watson, W. R., Watson, S. L., & Janakiraman, S. (2017). Instructional Quality of Massive Open Online Courses: A Review of Attitudinal Change MOOCs. International Journal of Learning Technology, 12 (3). https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLT.2017.088406

 

Papers In Press and Review:

Janakiraman, S., Watson, S. L., & Watson, W. R. (In Press). Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions About Using Digital Games to Change Environment Related Attitudes and Behaviors: A Case Study.   Learning, Design, and Technology. An International Compendium of Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Springer Nature.

 

Payne, L., & Janakiraman, S. (Under review). Defining and evaluating teaching excellence at a research-intensive university: Sharing the stage. The Journal of Higher Education.

 

Watson, W. R., Watson, S. L., Wanju, H., Janakiraman, S. & Dufault, K. H.  (Under review). Student Attitudes Toward Digital Badges for Instructional Design Competency-Based Education.

 

Work in Progress:

Janakiraman, S., Exter, M., Duan, S., & Sabin, M. Preliminary results from a systematic literature review on computing competencies required in the workplace

 

Janakiraman, S. Making Learning Relevant in a Massive Open Online Course using an OER-enabled Pedagogy.

 

Richardson, J., Castellanos Reyes, D., Janakiraman, S., Shams Duha, M. Design-based research on PoRTAL: Digital Repository for Online Teaching and Learning.